I can't wait to do this with the kids. This is based on the rhyme widely available on the web. I shortened it (a) to turn it into a counting rhyme (who wants to ring a bell once?) (b) I do toddler storytime and shorter is always better and (c) shorter and repetitive means I can memorize it easily.
This was so easy to make. Cut slits in top and bottom. Slide one end of pipe cleaner into top slit. Slide on bell and five red beads. Ring the bell and slide one bead down each time you repeat the verse.
When I do this in storytime, we have some larger foam firefighters we slide down the long pole that pulls down our screen. I got the bead idea from a homemade abacus I saw.
Five brave firefighters
Sleeping in a row
Ring goes the bell
And down one goes....
My Friend Sonny
A few props from a novelty store make this a crowd-pleasing audience participation story!
My friend Sonny is very, very funny.
I know that you would love her!
But before you reach out,
Make sure that you doubt,
And check her hand for a buzzer! (hand buzzer)
My friend Sonny is very, very funny.
Look at her lovely flower!
If she asks you to smell it,
Make sure you can tell if,
You are about to take a shower! (spray water)
My friend Sonny is very, very funny.
But watch out if you sit in her chair.
You might hear a sound,
That will make you frown,
With Sonny you must always beware. (whoopee cushion)
(Hold up "pie". I piled up facial tissue in a pie tin.)
My friend Sonny is very, very funny.
But she’s never thrown a pie in the face.
Jokes should be fun, And not hurt anyone,
That would not be in good taste!
Warm &Cozy
I wrote this rhyme to go with some random felt pieces we found. More pieces have appeared. Not sure where the patterns came from originally.
Warm & Cozy
by Shawn Wolf
When mommy wakes up on a cold snowy day,
She’ll shiver, and snuggle and then she’ll say,
“When it’s cold, and I want to warm up,
I drink hot coffee from my favorite cup.”
When daddy wakes up on a cold snowy day,
He’ll shiver, and snuggle and then he’ll say,
“When it’s cold, I don’t know about you,
But I warm up with a big bowl of soup.”
When sister wakes up on a cold snowy day,
She’ll shiver, and snuggle and then she’ll say,
“When it’s cold, and I want to feel better,
I put on my favorite sweater.”
When puppy wakes up on a cold snowy day,
He’ll shiver, and snuggle and then he’ll say,
“When it’s so cold, and I just can’t take it,
I snuggle up on my warm fleece blanket.”
When brother wakes up on a cold snowy day,
He’ll shiver, and snuggle and then he’ll say,
“When it’s cold, I won’t just be sittin’,
I’ll play out in the snow with my warm scarf and mittens.”
When I wake up on a cold snowy day,
I shiver, and snuggle and then I say,
“You might want to stay in, but I just won’t,
I’ll be sledding down the hill in my warm, woolly coat.”
More Mitten Matching
I couldn't resist making some mittens after seeing the fun on Loons and Quines. Check out the blog for more samples and the pattern. They kept flipping over when clipped on a clothesline with clothes pins, so I found a new use for my pasta drying rack. I will use this at storytime and circle time in my three year old classroom. I will also leave them out for the three's to explore during centers.
Five brave firefighters 
