You've Got Mail - A Storytime Outline

It's always exciting when you get something in the mail (yes, parents, I mean the non-bill letters!). I had a small, small, small toddler storytime this week, but it didn't dampen are fun! The preschoolers liked the the program as well. They got a little distracted after small episode involving an upset child, but they really enjoyed our flannel board activity and the craft!

T = Toddler Storytime
P = Preschool Storytime

BOOKS

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book written and illus. by Rod Campbell (T)
This is such an adorable book! My library only had a copy of this in the board book collection, but it was just right for the toddlers that came to the program that morning!

Send It! written and illus. by Don Carter (T)
This is a very cute book that could even work for a transportation storytime or even a days of the week storytime.

Millie Waits for the Mail written and illus. by Alexander Steffensmeier (P)
Millie the cow is so funny and the kids loved the book!

The Jolly Postman Or Other People's Letters written and illus. by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (P)
This is such a creative book. This would better with school age children, however. 

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.

Six Little Valentines (T, P)
Six little Valentines were sent to my house,
The first one said, "I love you, From Mouse."

Five little Valentines in my mailbox,
The second one said, "Be mind, Love Fox."

Four little Valentines full of love,
The third one said, "You are sweet, from Dove."

Three little Valentines just for me,
The fourth one said, "Be my honey, Love Bee."

Two little Valentines mailed with care,
The fifth one said, "Here's a hug, from Bear."

The last little Valentine, from my friend Jay,
This one said, "Happy Valentine's Day!"
Source: Busy Crafting Mommy

Five Little Letters (T, P)
Five little letters lying on a try,
Mommy came in and took the first away.
Then Daddy said, "This big one is for me."
I counted them twice, now there were three.
Brother Bill asked, "Did I get any mail?"
He found one and cried, "A letter from Gail!"
My sister, Jane took the next to last,
And I ran upstairs to open it fast!
As I can't read, I'm not able to see,
Whom the last one's for, but I hope its for me!
Source: Bayviews Storytime Ideas

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 BOARD

Six Little Valentines (T, P)
See the Activity below!

ACTIVITY

Egg Shakers (T)
This has become a great weekly activity in my Toddler Storytime where we do the same thing (reach for the sky, shake it down low by our toes then knees and etc.) but the children LOVE IT!

Six Little Valentines (T, P)
I used the rhyme for inspiration for the children to interact with letters and a mailbox. I made the flannel board and handed out the letters, which came out of an amazingly cool homemade mailbox that I created. The children opened the letters to find a picture of an animal on it. I read the rhyme and the children had to bring up their envelope (which would stick to the flannel board) and place the picture in the mailbox (the paper would stick to the flannel board). The children loved it, especially the preschoolers.

CRAFT

Postcards (T, P)
What craft should you do when having fun about getting something in the mail? You have to make something that can be sent in the mail, of course! Mom-blogger Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots shared a template for amazing adorable postcards. They can be sent in the mail as long as you print the template out on heavy duty cardstock! Brilliant! For storytime the children tapped into their artistic side and they created their own picture for the postcard. One girl made one for her dad (who was there in storytime) and the other was for a grandma that will be sent in the mail! So cute and awesome!

PICTURES

Six Little Valentines flannel board,
created by Dorothy WP-CC, 20102

Example postcard artwork,
created by Dorothy WP-CC, 2012

Mailbox made from cereal boxes,
created by Dorothy WP-CC, 2012

MORE BOOKS

Bibkleby's Birdbath written by Andrea Perry and illus. by Roberta Angaramo (T, P)
Like Me and You written by Raffi and illus. by Lillian Hoban (T, P)
Meerkat Mail written and illus. by Emily Gravet (P)
A Letter to Amy written and illus. by Ezra Jack Keats (P)
Bunny Mail written and illus. by Rosemary Wells (P)
Tortoise Brings the Mail written by Dee Lellegard and illus. by Jillian Lund (P, SA)