Storytime--Hamsters!

This one was a lot of work, because there isn't much of anything out there for a hamster storytime. A lot of it I had to make up or adapt, which was interesting. It worked pretty well though! We had a nice big storytime today, and everyone loved the craft. Anytime the kids can wear the craft they love it extra, of course!

Books:

Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
Oopsy Teacher by Stephanie Calmenson
Happy Birthday Hamster by Cynthia Lord
Pet Shop Lullaby by Mary Ann Fraser


Fingerplay:

“If You’re a Pet and You Know It”
(tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It)
source

If you’re a doggie and you know it,
Say, “Woof, woof”.
If you’re a doggie and you know it,
Say, “Woof, woof”.
If you’re a doggie and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re a doggie and you know it,
Say, “Woof, woof”.
Repeat with kitty/meow, hamster/run in place, 


Flannelboard:




10 little hamsters dancing in line,
Bump! go the hamsters, and then there are

9 little hamsters think party games are great!
Ouch! squeaks the little one, and then there are

8 little hamsters munch on cake that tastes like heaven
One eats too much, and then there are

7 little hamsters doing party tricks,
Boing! bounce the hamsters, and then there are

6 little hamsters love to jump and dive!
One bumps his nose, and then there are

5 little hamsters play with presents on the floor
One cries about her toy, and then there are

4 little hamsters pop balloons with glee!
One floats up and up and up, and then there are

3 little hamsters play peek-a-boo,
One hides instead, and then there are,

2 little hamsters worn out from so much fun,
The last one waves goodbye, and there there is,

1 little hamster wants his friends again.
He shuts his eyes and makes a wish,

And once more there are 10!

(Adapted from Guinea Pig Party by Holly Surplice)


Action Activity:

The Hamster in His Cage

(can be sung to: Wheels on the Bus)
The hamster on the wheel goes
round and round (Roll hands over each other)
round and round, round and round. The hamster on the wheel goes
round and round
in his little cage. (Clap hands)

The hamster eats his food with
a munch, munch, munch,
(Open and close fingers )
munch, munch, munch, munch, munch, munch.
The hamster eats his food with a
munch, munch, munch
in his little cage. (Clap hands)

The hamster likes to sleep
all day long, (Put hands by head; tilt back and forth)
all day long, all day long.
The hamster likes to sleep all day long
in his little cage. (Clap hands)

(http://www.lagrangelibrary.org/lagrange/documents/pets%202011web.pdf


Craft:

Hamster Mask/Crowns



These were intended as masks, but most of the children wore them as crowns!  We had many Hamster Queens, Princesses, and Kings today.