Elephants - A Storytime Outline

Elephants. Can't go wrong, right? They are truly one of my favorite animals. Believe it or not, when I was planning an elephant storytime in fall 2011, I had a little difficulty finding inspiration. However, the end result was so much fun, and I love my Special Activity and so did everyone else!

T = Toddler Storytime
P = Preschool Storytime

BOOKS

I Love My Mama  written by Peter Kavanagh and illus. Jane Chapman (T)

I Dream of an Elephant  written and illus. by Ami Rubinger (T)
Ask the children what color is on each page.

Elephants Can Paint Too!  written and pictures taken by Atya Arnold (T)
I shared the pictures but didn't read the text, but emphasized that elephants and children can do the same thing!

How to Catch an Elephant  written and illus. by Amy Scwartz (P)
It was fun to ask the children if they knew how to catch an elephant and what did elephants liked to eat.

"Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze"  written by Patricia Thomas and illus. by Wallace Tripp (P)
You should read this dramatically!

How the Elephant Got It's Trunk  originally written by Rudyard Kipling (P)

This is my fun moment of storytelling using a flannel board

SONGS & RHYMES

Opening Rhyme: Open, Shut Them (T, P)
(follow actions)
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Lay them in your lap
Creep them, creep them up to your chin
Open your mouth wide, but don't put your fingers in!
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a big clap
Open, shut them
Lay them in your lap.

Here Comes the Big Elephant (T. P)
(follow actions)
Here comes the elephant,
He moves so slow.
He swings his long trunk,
to and throw.
He is SO big,
He can't even jump.
He sits down with a
Great big THUMP!
Source: Stratchcona County Library 

Five Elephants in the Bathtub (T, P)
One elephant in the bathtub
Going for a swim
Knock, knock, (clap twice)
Splash, splash (pat knees)
Come on in! (beckon with hand)

Two elephants in the bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, knock,
Splash, splash,
Come on in!

(count up to five)

Five elephants in a bathtub
Going for a swim.
Knock, knock,
Splash, splash,
It all fell in!
Source: SurLaLune Storytime

Closing Rhyme: Touch Your Nose (T, P)

(follow actions)

Touch your nose

Touch your chin

That's the way this game begins

Touch your eyes

Touch your knees

Now pretend you're going to sneeze!

Aaachooooo!

Touch your hair

Touch one ear

Touch your two red lips right here

Touch your elbow where it ends

And that's the way this touch game ends.

FLANNEL BOARDS

Five Elephants in the Bathtub (T, P)
How the Elephant Got It's Trunk (P)
(see flannel board below!)

CRAFT

Elephant Ear Headbands (T)
Each set was made with different color construction paper as it was inspired by I Dream of an Elephant book. The ears were so large and flappy even my boss thought they were a cute colorful herd!

"How to Catch an Elephant" Kits (P)
A kit of all the items needed to catch and elephant printed on cardstock and can be placed in a construction paper folded suitcase. I even had a wonderful dad draw and color a tiny little elephant for his daughter to put into her kit. Awesome!

SPECIAL ACTIVITY
I showed an amazingly adorable video of newborn elephant Kenzi from the St. Louis Zoo. I remember seeing her daddy, Raja, when he came out to visit the public! The video can be viewed on YouTube here or below!

 

I just :: love :: the music. It's perfect!

PICTURE

Such a lovely set of animals, no?

"How the Elephant Got It's Trunk" flannel board
created by Dorothy, WP-CC 2012.
Fold under the elephant trunk to simulate its short stump before
it's snapped and stretched by the crocodile!