Worms and Compost Storytime

So, our library's outdoor area has a serious problem with rotting apples come fall. This year I decided to do something about it and let all the kids join me in the process. I got really lucky on this one because as I started to puzzle over how to compost the apples, I realized that our library actually already owned a very nice little compost bin that was not in use from an old project. On another note of good fortune, my husband has been growing worms in our house (this really isn't as gross as it sounds) since the spring. So, between the bin, the worms, and some mulch; the kids and I were really able to get this thing going. I had some mulch already in the composter so that they could start adding apples, then cover the apples in more mulch, then we looked at the worms and dumped them in to compost bin as well. The worm part was super exciting for me and the older kids. The mulch part was super exciting for the toddler crowd. Being able to get the kids actively involved at the end was AWESOME, but I also think you could do this Storytime inside, in the middle of winter, with no compost and it would still be fun and educational. Here is the outline of what we did at the Storytime. We skipped Apples and Bananas at the end because we had so much other compost and worm work to do, but if I hadn't had the project planned for afterwards, I think it would have been a good fit. Credits for songs can be found within the linked google docs.

I. Welcome and Opening Spiel
II. Good Morning Song
III. We Clap and Say Hello
IV. Open, Shut Them
V. Spell Theme Word: W-O-R-M-S or C-O-M-P-O-S-T (since we will be doing a “W” for worm craft, I used “worms” as the word to spell for more repetition)
VI. Book: Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser (this one is so great for a wider age range than you would guess; make sure to have the kids stretch out and squeeze in to move like worms)
VII. Song or Action Rhyme: I’m a Little Wiggle Worm (whenever we do a teapot tune song, we always start out with one verse of I’m a Little Teapot first, then do the new version 2 x)
VIII. Song or Action Rhyme: Herman the Worm
IX. Book: Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
X. Song or Action Rhyme: Apples & Bananas (We’re going to sing the classic song, but say “compost” instead of “eat”. Also, I always hold up a larger letter magnet for each of the vowels to give kids a visual aid.)
XI. Jumping ABCs (exactly what it sounds like, we jump our ABCs)
XIII. Explain Craft: Letter W worms
XIV. Goodbye Song

Butterflies

Even though I had just done a butterfly-themed Storytime last summer, I decided to do one again because 2 of our Storytime friends shared that they were hosting monarch chrysalises (had to look that plural up) at their homes. Here is the Storytime plan I used.

Butterfly Storytime:

I. Welcome and Opening Spiel 

II. Good Morning Song

III. We Clap and Sing Hello

IV. Open, Shut Them

V. Spell Theme Word: B-U-T-T-E-R-F-L-Y with large magnetic letters

VI. Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

VII. Song or Action Rhyme: Butterfly Action Rhyme

VIII. Song or Action Rhyme: 2 Little Butterflies

IX. Book: Butterfly by Petr Horacek

X. Song or Action Rhyme: SCARVES! Flutter, Flutter, Butterfly, We Wave our Scarves Together, Silly Hat Song, Jack in a Box, London Bridge is Falling Down 

XI. Jumping ABCs (just what it sounds like we jump our ABCs)

XII. Explain Craft: Butterflies with sequins taped to craft sticks

XIII. Goodbye Song

How it Went: Well, thank goodness for scarves! This Storytime ended up skewing very young, so it was actually quite difficult to even make it through The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That being said, the action rhymes actually went over pretty well too and everyone loved the pop up butterfly at the end of Petr Horacek's book. Finally, while I would have chosen a less challenging/more appropriate craft if I had guessed that the average age of my audience would be 12 months, the preschoolers who were in attendance LOVED making the sequined butterflies and many of them actually made two. We are outside right now for our Storytime, but luckily we have some wonderful outdoor blocks which I now get out with the craft so that the tiniest friends also have something fun to do while everyone hangs out and socializes during craft time.