Train themed books for my nephew

And the Train Goes... by Bee, William
As assorted passengers comment on their train ride, and the train itself makes its own special sounds, the station parrot is carefully listening.

The Bedtime Train by Cowley, Joy
As a child falls asleep, the bedtime train rolls into his room, taking him to a fantastical world of penguins, a gum machine, and a train engineer named Brad.

The Best Book of Trains by Balkwill, Richard
This book introduces all types of trains from around the world.

Bear on the Train by Julie Lawson
After a bear has eaten his fill, he falls asleep and spends the winter criss-crossing the country on a mile-long freight train.

Bluebonnet at the Marshall Train Depot by Casad, Mary Brooke
Bluebonnet the armadillo visits the newly renovated train depot in Marshall, Texas, and learns a little about the history of the railroad there.

Circus Train by Smith, Jos. A.
After moving to a house in the country, Timothy wonders how he will make any friends, but his problem is solved when he finds an imaginative way to rescue a stranded train.

Claude Monet: The Painter Who Stopped the Trains by Maltbie, P.I.
French Impressionist artist Claude Monet sets out to excite critics about his art, much in the same way his young son became enthused over trains.

Emma and the Silk Train by Lawson, Julie
An adventure to rescue a young girl, Emma, after being swept away in the currents.

Freddy's Train Ride by Leslie, Rick
The story of Freddy the train and his many different cars.

The Great Train Ride by Harbo, Gary
Bart and his circle of friends are going on a train ride.

Gus and Grandpa Ride the Train by Mills, Claudia
Gus waves at the train near his grandfather's house, sets up a toy train, and eventually gets to ride on the train with his grandfather.

Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train by Gayle, Sharon
This book highlights the life of Harriet Tubman.

Here Comes the Train by Voake, Charlotte
Every Saturday, Chloe, her little brother, William, and their father bicycle to a footbridge over the railroad tracks and wait for the trains to come thundering under them.

I Dream of Trains by Johnson, Angela
The son of a sharecropper dreams of leaving Mississippi on a train with the legendary engineer Casey Jones.

The Last Train by Titcomb, Gordon
ongs about the bygone era of the mighty iron horse are paired with detailed paintings that pay tribute to life around a little railroad station.

The Little Red Train by Sommer, Carl
When the three big trains refuse to go up the mountain in the deep snow, the Little Red Train finds brave helpers and goes on a rescue mission to take food to the stranded villagers.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Take the Train by Rylant, Cynthia
After a small setback, Mr. Putter and his favorite companions enjoy the best train ride of their lives.

My Brother's Train by Kellerhals-Stewart, Heather
In this evocative dream story, a girl and her brother take a train trip across a continent where white horses gallop, salmon leap in unpolluted streams, and bears' eyes gleam in the mountains at night.

My Freight Train by Rex, Michael
A little boy, living out his fantasy of driving his own freight train, describes the different cars, what each carries, how they are connected, and more.

The Prairie Train by O Flatharta, Antoine
As a young Irish immigrant boy travels by steam engine across the American prairie to a new life, memories of the old country pull at his heart.

Prairie Train by Chall, Marsha Wilson
A young girl experiences the thrill of her first train ride when she takes the Great Northern from the country to visit her grandmother in the city.

The Train Ride by Crebbin, June
A child describes sights from her train window.

The Train to Glasgow by Horsbrugh, Wilma
This book is a rhyme in the style of "The House That Jack Built," describing the antics that occur when some chickens get loose on a train bound for Glasgow.

The Train to Maine by Spencer, Jamie
In rhyming text, this book describes the sights along the train ride from Boston to Maine, as well as the fun things to be done when one arrives down east.

The Train to Timbuctoo by Brown, Margaret Wise
The train to Timbuctoo is departing from Kalamazoo! One great big train and one little tiny train head down the track.

Trapped on the D.C. Train! by Roy, Ron
On a trip to Pennsylvania, presidential stepdaughter KC Corcoran and her friend Marshall are exploring the rest of the train when the special caboose at the back disappears, along with the vice president. Book #13

Two Little Trains by Brown, Margaret Wise
Two little trains puff and chug on their way West.

Underground Train by Quattlebaum, Mary
As an underground train rushes beneath the city streets taking a little girl to visit her Nana, many things are happening above ground.

Whoo! Whoo! Goes the Train by Rockwell, Anne
Allan, who loves trains and learns all that he can about them, has a wonderful time when he finally takes his first train ride.

William and the Night Train by Kelly, Mij
Everyone on the night train is ready to sleep, except William.

Games to play with kids for speech therapy

Check out this website http://www.speechtherapyforum.com/

'Speech Therapy Forum is dedicated to providing professionals and parents with informed reviews of speech therapy games and activities to use with children and adolescents to help improve their communication skills. '

Video: On Top of Spaghetti

On top of spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball,
When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,
And on to the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.

It rolled in the garden,
And under a bush,
And then my poor meatball,
Was nothing but mush.

The mush was as tasty
As tasty could be,
And then the next summer,
It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,
All covered with moss,
And on it grew meatballs,
And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Whenever you sneeze.

Taps
Sing with reverence.

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the Lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.

Fading light
Dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

-- Thanks to The U.S. Scouting Service Project

Here we stand,
Hand in Hand,
Wishing Peace,
Freedom, Joy,
To each man,
When there's love,
In our hearts,
God is nigh.

-- Thanks to Casey Templin

The Story of Taps

Taps was devised during the Civil War. In 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac, under Major General George McClellan, was transported to the Virginia Peninsula to launch a campaign against the Confederate capital at Richmond. The Army met stiff resistance at the outskirts of Richmond. After a series of battles, McClellan, a cautious general by nature, and misinformed as to the strength of the Confederate army confronting him, elected to "change bases" - a carefully worded synonym for retreat - to a site to the south, on the bank of the James River.

During this retreat, the Army of the Potomac was forced to stand and fight the pursuing Confederate army at Malvern Hill. The Confederate army, rather unwisely, charged the Union line and was defeated. The battle of Malvern Hill was fought on June 28 - July 1, 1862.

On July 2 (134 years ago today), in a miserable rain, the Army of the Potomac completed its depressing and embarrassing retreat to Harrison's Landing on the James River. The retreat was a grim disillusionment for the North, which had expected a short war. For the Army of the Potomac, it was its darkest and saddest hour.

Encamped at Harrison's Landing that summer was Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield. He was the commander of the 3rd brigade of the 1st division of the Army of the Potomac's 5th corps. A fairly undistinguished officer otherwise, General Butterfield had an ear for music. Previously, he had observed that his brigade's bugle call caused confusion in camp, because it could not be distinguished from that of other brigades. So he devised a unique bugle call for the 3rd brigade.

Now, in camp along the James, he noted that the regulation evening bugle call for lights out was neither musical nor inspirational, nor tranquilizing. He devised a alternative tune for his bugler, which, after a couple of attempts, became Taps. The tune became popular, and soon the entire Army of the Potomac was using the call in place of the regulation call for lights out.

Eventually, Taps was adopted by all Union armies, and became official army regulation. Taps remains regulation to this day.

The story of Taps is particularly appropriate for July 2, given that today is the anniversary of the Army of the Potomac's long retreat to the Harrison's Landing camp.

-- Thanks to Roger Claff, Den Leader Coach and Den Leader, Pack 1570, Herndon, VA

Video: Peter, Paul and Mary - Day Is Done

Video: Green Grow the Rushes Go

I'll sing you one, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What is the one, O?
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

I'll sing you two, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are the two, O?
Two, two, the little green frogs,
Jumping on the lilies, O
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

I'll sing you three, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are the three, O?
Three, three, the dragonflies,
Two, two, the little green frogs,
Jumping on the lilies, O
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

I'll sing you four, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are the four, O?
Four are the little brown ducklings,
Three, three, the dragonflies,
Two, two, the little green frogs,
Jumping on the lilies, O
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

I'll sing you five, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are the five, O?
Five are the buzzing honey bees,
Four are the little brown ducklings,
Three, three, the dragonflies,
Two, two, the little green frogs,
Jumping on the lilies, O
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

Video: Tie Me Kangaroo Down

The first verse is almost spoken or narrated

There's an old Australian stockman - lying, dying...
And he gets himself up onto one elbow
And turns to his mates who are all gathered around
And he says....

I'm going, Blue; this you gotta do,
I'm not gonna pull through, Blue, so this you gotta do . . .

Chorus:
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down.

Watch me wallabies feed, mate
Watch me wallabies feed.
They're a dangerous breed, mate
So, watch me wallabies feed.

(chorus)

Let me wombats go loose, Bruce,
Let me wombats go loose.
They're of no further use, Bruce,
So let me wombats go lose.

(chorus)

Keep me cockatoo cool, curl
Keep me cockatoo cool.
Don't go actin' the fool, curl
Just keep me cockatoo cool.

(chorus)

Take me koala back, Jack
Take me koala back.
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mack
So, take me koala back.

(chorus)

Mind me platypus duck, Bill
Mind me platypus duck.
Don't let him go running amuck, Bill
Just, mind me platypus duck.

(chorus)

Play your digeridoo, Blue
Play your digeridoo.
(Dying) Like, keep playing it 'til I shoot through, Blue
Play your digeridoo.

(chorus)

Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead.
So, we tanned his hide, when he died, Clyde
And that's it hangin' on the shed.

(chorus)

Video: Hey Lollee

(This is the classic campfire song for which you make up verses as you go)

Hey Lollee, lollee,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Hey Lollee, lollee,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

This is a crazy kind of song,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
You make it up as you go along,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

When calypso singers sing this song,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
It sometimes lasts the whole day long,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

First you invent a simple rhyme,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Then another one to rhyme,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

While you catch on I'll sing a verse,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Then you do one that's even worse,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

I know a boy named Sammy--C, (or use another name that rhymes)
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
He sings "Hey Lollee" in just one key,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

Tonight we've chosen another key,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
You won't be hearing from Sammy--C,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

He sings "Hey Lollee" day and night,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
It never seems to come out right,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

I know a man name Mr. Jones,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
When he sings, everybody groans,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

The singer you fast the getter it's tuff,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
To line up makes that you won't muff,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

Let's put this song back on the shelf,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
If you want anymore you can sing it yourself,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.

Video: Down in the Valley

Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow.
Hear the winds blow, dear, hear the winds blow.
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow.

Down in the valley, walking between,
Telling our story, here's what it means.
Here's what it means, dear, here's what it means,
Telling our story, here's what it means.

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in heaven know I love you;
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in heaven know I love you.

Build me a castle forty feet high,
So I can see him as he rides by;
As he rides by, dear, as he rides by,
So I can see him as he rides by.

Writing this letter, containing three lines,
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
"Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine,"
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"

If you don't love me, love whom you please,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease.
Give my heart ease, dear, give my heart ease,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease.

Throw your arms round me, before it's too late;
Throw your arms round me, feel my heart break.
Feel my heart break, dear, feel my heart break.
Throw your arms round me, feel my heart break.

Video: Waltzing Matilda

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Chorus:
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers - one, two, three,
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman, and sprang into the billabong,
You'll never catch me alive said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

Video: Little Cabin in the Woods

Little cabin in the wood
Little man by a window stood
Saw a rabbit hopping by
Knocking on the door

“Help me! Help me, Help me!" cried
“Less the hunter shoots me dead,
I am simply feel with dread.”
“Little rabbit come inside,
Safely you may hide.”

Video: Up on the House Top

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick

Next comes the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick

Poem: The Colors of Fall

Watch the animation here.

When trees are dormant or fall asleep
Colored leaves form a heap

Orange, yellow and red leaves
Tumble down in fall's breeze

All leaves then turn brown
As they remain on the ground

Where did the green leaves go?
An interesting story I was told

As days grow short and cold
A wondrous color change we behold

Photosynthesis allows a plant to eat
Using light for fuel, really neat!

Leaves capture the power of the sun
By using pigments, oh how fun

Chlorophyll during growth makes us see green
It masks other colors so they are unseen

Until photosynthesis takes a fall break
The yellow xanthophyll molecules begins to wake

As a tree goes dormant there is no green
Orange leaves mean that we see carotene

As photosynthesis stops, leaves go to bed
The pigment anthocyanin produces the red

So chemistry is at the cause of this change
Leaves turning color is really not strange

Poem: Human Bone Hip Hop

Watch the animation here.

Human Bone Hip Hop
by Michael J. Doherty

The spinal column, that's your back
The sacrum bone is near the crack

The sternum is your center chest
The ribs are there to protect the rest

The humerus bone is the upper arm
It's the funny bone with a special charm

The lower arm has two bones there
The ulna and radius are the pair

The clavicle is the collar bone
The scapula is the shoulder zone

Your hip hop bones are your pelvis
Made famous by the singer Elvis

The knee joint is protected by the patella
A flat, triangular, knee cap fella

The femur is the bone in your thigh
It's the biggest and strongest, it holds you high

The fibula and tibia when they combine
Are the lower leg in a cool design

So your skull holds your brain
Did learning these bones drive you insane?

Say yes, say yes, say yes
Say yes, say yes, say yes

New Library Rule

Last Tuesday, I had two kindergarten classes that came to the library.

Before I started the program, I asked students to remind all of us about library rules.

Student 1: 'Raise your hand to talk.'
Me: 'Good! Anyone else?'
Student 2: 'No running.'
Me: 'Excellent!'
Student 3: 'No smoking.'
Me: ....

Short Play - A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale

Source: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/playhouse/amixedupfairytale.html

A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale

By Joanna of Cave Creek, AZ

CAST:
Horse
Little Bo Peep
Wicked Stepmother
Magic Mirror
Cinderella
Rumplestiltskin
Frog Prince  

PROPS/COSTUMES:
Tower, hobby horse, hair (for Cinderella), cat (for stepmother), mirror, coconut shells or castanets for horse. Costumes: Outfits for Stepmother, Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, Frog Prince; horse ears for Horse. 

SETTING: SCENE 1

(Little Bo Peep enters and sees Horse.)

Little Bo Peep:
Excuse me, have you seen my sheep?

Horse:
Nope...sorry.

(Little Bo Peep and Horse exit. Wicked Stepmother enters with Magic Mirror.)

Wicked Stepmother:
I'm the wicked fairy stepmother, and I'm the fairest one of all. I'll prove it to you.

(Clears throat.)

Mirror, mirror on the wall,Who's the fairest one of all?Is it Snow White? It can't be she! Snow White is not as fair as me!

Magic Mirror:
You're right, oh wicked fairy stepmother. Snow White isn't pretty at all.

Wicked Stepmother:
There you see!

Magic Mirror:
However, wicked fairy stepmother, I'm afraid there is one prettier than you.

Wicked Stepmother:
(Aghast.)

Who?

Magic Mirror:
Why, Cinderella, of course. She's on her way to the ball.

Wicked Stepmother:
Oh no! So am I! I must stop her! What shall I do? I know! I'll lock her in the tower! Cinderella!

(Runs off stage calling.)

Cinderella! Cinderella!

(Little Bo Peep enters and crosses, calling.)

Little Bo Peep:
Oh, sheepies! Sheep, sheep, sheep!

SETTING: SCENE 2

(Wicked Stepmother returns, pulling Cinderella by the hand, pushes her into the tower and locks the door.)

Wicked Stepmother:
There, now you're locked in. Good-bye! I'm off to the ball!

(Exits stage.)

Cinderella:
(From tower.)

Oh boo, hoo, hoo! I want to go to the ball! Boo, hoo, hoo! Wait! What's that noise?

(Rumplestiltskin enters, acting like he's riding a horse, with Horse behind, making sound of clopping hooves.)

Hark! A handsome young prince coming to rescue me? Oh hooray! I'll get to go to the ball after all!

Rumplestiltskin:
Cinderella, Cinderella, let down your hair, and I will rescue you if you can guess my name!

Cinderella:
(Throws down hair. Rumplestiltskin begins climbing up.)

But sir, I cannot guess your name.

Rumplestiltskin:
Try.

Cinderella:
Is it Bob?

Rumplestiltskin:
No.

Cinderella:
Is it Larry? Ed?

Rumplestiltskin:
No, and no.

Cinderella:
(Thinks a moment.)

I know, I know! It's Egbert!

Rumplestiltskin:
Uh...no. Well, if you can't guess, I'll be going now.

Cinderella:
Wait!

(As Rumplestiltskin begins to climb down.)

Come back! Oh boo, hoo, hoo!

(Rumplestiltskin exits, pretending to ride his horse, with Horse behind him, making clopping noises.)

Cinderella:
I want to go to the ball! Now who's this?

(The Frog Prince enters.)

Frog Prince:
Hi! I'm the Frog Prince. I'm here to rescue your golden ball.

Cinderella:
I don't have a ball, but I'd sure like to go to one!

Frog Prince:
(Baffled.)

Huh?

Cinderella:
Never mind. I think you're in the wrong story.

Frog Prince:
That would explain it.

Cinderella:
Will you help me? Will you find out the prince's name for me?

Frog Prince:
Okay. I'll be back. Good-bye.

(Frog Prince hops away.)

SETTING: SCENE 3

Rumplestiltskin:
(In a confiding way to the audience.)

Cinderella will never guess that my...

(Little Bo Peep enters and interrupts Rumplestiltskin.)

Little Bo Peep:
Excuse me, have you seen my sheep?

Rumplestiltskin:
Four legs, white fuzzy tails?

Little Bo Peep:
Yes!

Rumplestiltskin:
Nope. Sorry.

(Little Bo Peep exits.)

..name is Stumple-ril-skin ... er, I mean Runtle-silk-skin ... er, I mean Pimple-ril-skin... oh what was it? I know, I know! It's Rumplestiltskin! Oh, why didn't my mother name me Jack?

(Exits, shaking his head.)

Frog Prince:
(Who has been watching the whole time.)

Wow! I guess I'd better hurry back to Cinderella now that I know his name!

(Starts hopping back to tower. Wicked Stepmother enters.)

Wicked Stepmother::
(Walking along.)

Ah, what a lovely day to go to a ball!

(Sees Frog Prince.)

What's this? A frog prince?

(Laughs to herself.)

Now I'll have a partner for the ball!

(To Frog Prince.)

Come to me, dearie, and I'll give you a great big kiss! Mmmm...

(Picks up Frog Prince and lifts him to her lips, starts puckering up to kiss him.)

Frog Prince:
Madam, do you know what you're doing? Kisses don't work if you're in the wrong story.

Wicked Stepmother:
(Ignoring him.)

Mmmmmmmmmmm Mu!

(Kissing him.)

Ah! Ah! What's happening?

(Wicked Stepmother turns into Stepmother Cat.)

I've turned into a cat! Oh -- mrraow, marrooaw!

(Stepmother Cat exits.)

Frog Prince:
Well, I warned her. Ah, here's the tower at last. Cinderella! I'm back!

(Hops up to the tower.)

SETTING: SCENE 4

Cinderella:
Splendid! Did you find out what his name is?

Frog Prince:
Dumple-kil-rin. No, that's not it ... It's Humple-dil-kin ... no ... Dimple-rum-kin... no, wait, I know ... It's Rumplestiltskin. Yes, that's it, Rumplestiltskin.

Cinderella:
(Disbelieving.)

That's it?

Frog Prince:
Yup. Now I've got to be going...gotta find the right story.

Cinderella:
Well thank you!

Frog Prince:
You're welcome, and good-bye!

(Frog Prince hops away and exits.)

Cinderella:
Well, now all I have to do is wait for Pickle-pig-skin to come back -- that is his name, isn't it? I hope he won't be long.

(Pause.)

Oh, where can he be?

(Another pause; Cinderella drums her fingers impatiently.)

He must have missed his cue. Princey-poo!

(Cinderella sighs and drops her chin into her hand. Sound of horse's hooves. Cinderella raises her head and Rumplestiltskin comes into view.)

Rumplestiltskin:
Have you guessed my name yet?

Cinderella:
Yes. It's Rickle-pig-skin. No, no wait. I had it before ... it's Tuckle-ril-pin ... no ... it's, it's ... Oh bother, I can't remember! Oh won't you please just tell me?

(Sniffs and wipes her eyes.)

Rumplestiltskin:
(Reluctantly.)

Well, I guess so. It's Pimple-til-rin ... er, Simple-ril-tin ...er... Oh dash it all! Call me Jack. Come on.

(Helps her out of the window, and down to the ground.)

Let's go to the ball.

Cinderella:
Hooray!

(Rumplestiltskin and Cinderella start exiting tower. Little Bo Peep enters.)

Little Bo Peep:
(To audience.)

Have you seen my sheep? Oh, forget it!

(Rumplestiltskin, Cinderella, and Little Bo Peep exit.)

(At long-last, Little Bo Peep's missing sheep wanders in.)

Back to the Library

Last Thursday, we received the shocking and sad news that the librarian had a car accident. She was admitted into the hospital for a broken bone in her left leg.

On Sunday, I brought DD1 to visit her at the hospital. She looked tired and she said that she was in quite a bit of pain.

Yesterday morning during assembly, the principal announced to teachers and students that I will be subbing in the library so that students are able to check out books. I am glad that I can do that because I'll get to have fun with students in the library again!

When 5th grade students came to the library during the 2nd and 4th period, I printed funny skits for them to perform and used a rubric to grade each group's performance. After the performance, each student must complete a reflection report and to turn it in today. Students who forget to turn it in will get zero for classwork. I discussed with the language arts teacher to include this grade as part of their class work.

3rd grade students came and composed original poems in pairs. They were reminded not to use 'dead words' and I encouraged students to be creative. Each group must recite the poem in one voice so they must learn to listen to their partner's voice. I also worked with the language arts teacher to give students a grade for this activity.

Kindergarten students came during the last period, and I had a blast reciting rhymes to them. I got them to talk about their favorite Native American symbol and let them draw on an American Indian shield cutout. All praise be to Allah SWT,  I used the routine that I learned from the librarians who conducted storytime at the public library and it worked very well!
1. Opening: Five little monkeys swinging in the tree
2. Native American symbols
3. Rhyme: Two little pink birds flying in the cloud
4. Decorate an American Indian shield with your favorite symbol
5: Closing: My hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap

Today, I'll have another group of kindergarten students coming to the library. Can't wait to see them!

Skit: Soup and Flies

Source: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/skit/soup_and_flies-2242.asp

Required: 4 students

 

Script: (3 students sit around their table)

Waiter: Welcome to the Soup Bowl. What would you like?
Diner #1: I'll have bean and carrot soup.
Waiter: Oh no, beef barley is much healthier.
Diner #1: Okay, make it beef barley, then.

Waiter: And you, sir?
Diner #2: Chili.
Waiter: All that fat and grease? Alphabet soup is better for you.
Diner #2: Ok, ok, alphabet soup would be fine.

Waiter: And how about you?
Diner #3: What would you suggest?
Waiter: I'm just the waiter, I don't have time to make suggestions.
Diner #3: Fine, I'll have clam chowder and a bowl of ice cream.

(waiter brings out soup orders and sets them down)

Diner #1: Waiter! There's a fly in my soup!
Waiter: Shhh, everyone else will want one too.

Diner #2: Waiter! There's a fly in my alphabet soup!
Waiter: How cute, he's learning to read.

Diner #3: Waiter! What's this fly doing in my soup?
Waiter: Hmmm, looks like the backstroke, sir.

Diner #1: Waiter! This fly is still in my soup.
Waiter: Quick, throw him a life preserver.

Diner #2: Waiter! I took this fly out of my soup. What should I do now?
Waiter: Give him CPR!

Diner #3: Waiter! There's a fly in my ice cream, too!
Waiter: Wow! I didn't know they did winter sports, too.

Skit: Throwing Little Stones

Source: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/skit/throwing_little_stones-153.asp

Required: 5 students

Preparation: people are Indians coming to Brave School
 

1 person is leader, smallest person is Little Stones

 

Script: Indian Brave is waiting center stage for little indians to arrive for Brave School. First Indian arrives.

Brave: What is your name, little indian?
Student #1: My name is Running Duck.
Brave: Running Duck, why are you late for first day of Brave School? You will never be big brave like me if you are always late.
Student #1: Sorry, Big Brave. I was throwing little stones in the raging river.

(next scout runs in.)
Brave: What is your name, little indian?
Student #2: My name is Slender Trees.
Brave: Slender Trees, why are you late for first day of Brave School? You will never be big brave like me if you are always late.
Student #2: Sorry, Big Brave. I was throwing little stones at the birds in the trees.

(next scout runs in.)
Brave: What is your name, little Indian?
Student #3: My name is Tiny Bear.
Brave: Tiny Bear, why are you late for first day of Brave School? You will never be big brave like me if you are always late.
Student #3: Sorry, Big Brave. I was throwing little stones off the tall cliff.

(last scout comes stumbling in battered and bruised and in pain.)

Brave: Why are you late, little Indian? What is your name?
Last One: My name is Little Stones.