Library Lessons for Littles - A

When I took on the role of being a librarian for young children, I wanted to be very intentional with my lessons and our shared time together. Young learners are taking in everything the world around them presents, and they are making sense of it all in ways we can only imagine. Of primary importance is being mindful of what we share with them and how we do so, appreciating that young children learn through play and that they respond positively to calm voices, opportunities for regular movement and guidance during transitions. After careful consideration, I landed on the idea of creating a year-long plan for my early childhood lessons using the alphabet as a very general scaffold for my 30-minute classes. Though I continue to make revisions each year, I have found a “sweet spot” that includes books, action rhymes, movement, felt stories, music to support transitions, and of course starting it all with a hello song + an item of intrigue hidden in my library basket. I look forward to sharing these general lesson ideas going from A-Z this year, and my hope is that it serves teachers and librarians (and caregivers!) working with children ages 2-5 to foster a love of all things literacy. xoxo

P.S. The felt pieces shown below were made by me. In my first book, Crafting with Kids (John Wiley and Sons, 2011), there is an entire section about felt board activities to do with children. You can use Canva to design your own felt pieces, or check out the DIY sets in my TPT shop if you prefer a pattern to follow.

Following is a list of resources I have compiled for week “A” and there is a certain flow I use each week, resulting in a predictable order of things which is ideal for young children to process.

NOTE: I do not use video/screens with young children for a multitude of reasons. I connect my computer to a wireless speaker to play audio (of song links below) and create wonderful opportunities for engaging and connecting with children.

A = ACORN

• Hello Song - the one I sing uses each child’s first name and the children often sing along!

• Item of Intrigue - Squirrel puppet

• Books/Read Alouds

  • 2 year olds - A Good Day by Kevin Henkes (author/illustrator)

  • 3 year olds - Acorn Was a Little Wild by Jen Arena (author) and Jessica Gibson (illustrator)

  • 4-5 year olds - Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein (author/illustrator)

• Action Rhymes (standing)

  • This Little Squirrel

    This little squirrel says, “Let’s run and play!” (pump arms)

    This little squirrel says, “Let’s hunt for nuts today!” (digging motion with hands)

    This little squirrel says, “Nuts are gooooood!” (nod head)

    This little squirrel says, “My favorite food!” (rub tummy)

    This little squirrel says, “Come climb this tree!” (climbing motion with arms)

    “And crack these nuts: one, two, three!” (clap hands while saying 123)

  • I’m a Nut

    I’m an acorn, small and round, (hands together small and round)

    Sitting on the cold, cold ground. (crouch body down small)

    Everybody steps on me! (stomp foot)

    That is why I’m cracked, you see. (hands open to indicate cracked)

    I’m a nut. I’m a nut. I’m a nut. I’m a nut. I’m a nut. (knock on head with hand)

• Movement Song (standing and dancing) - Gray Squirrel by The Kiboomers

• Transition Songs (seated, these help to bring the energy back down after movement songs or action rhymes)

  • Breathe by Stephanie Leavell, Music for Kiddos (stop at 0:37 the first time you introduce it and add later sections of the song each week)

  • Move to the Beat by Stephanie Leavell, Music for Kiddos (stop at 0:23, as above, adding later parts in subsequent weeks)

• Felt Story

  • Five Little Acorns

    Materials needed: 1 felt squirrel and 5 felt acorns, plus a flannel board

    Begin by talking about the squirrel and counting the acorns.

    Five little acorns hidden on the ground.

    Along comes a squirrel to see what can be found.

    It swishes its tail and sniffs the air,

    And finds an acorn right down there.

    The felt squirrel then takes one acorn and stashes it away. Ask the children to count with you how many acorns are left.

    (Repeat with four, three, two, one, until “no more acorns hidden in the ground”…)

• Goodbye song - (there are some lovely ones by Jbrary)

NOTE: I created a few free printable coloring pages (below) for folks to use in their classrooms or at home. Just right click to copy and print! Make as many copies as you like/need, but do not sell these resources. Thanks!