Our summer storytime ideas series with lots of book activities is winding down. Each week we have gathered in our local park to read great books for kids together with our neighbors. This week we featured Splash! by Ann Jonas.
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Storytime Ideas: Splash!
The Book
The Group Activities
Acting Out the Story
Prior to storytime I created prop necklaces for all the characters in the book. I cut the four goldfish and two catfish from colored foam sheets.
Then, I used plastic lids, construction paper, foam colored sheets, googly eyes and yarn to make the dog, cat, three frogs, turtle and dragonfly (Not pictured because I forgot to make this one and had to do it after I took pictures!). I used a hole punch to create a hole at the top of each animal face. I used yarn placed through the hole to create a necklace.
At storytime, I asked for volunteers to be the characters in the story and gave them each a necklace to wear. We spread out a blue blanket for the pond and placed the fish in the pond. The fish stay in the pond during the entire story.
Each character stood around the pond and waited for their turn to jump in and out of the pond during the story. The kids in the audience were the counters.
Skill building: listening and following directions, counting
Singing
We also sang two songs about frogs- “I Have a Little Frog” and “Five Green and Speckled Frogs”.
We did “I Have a Little Frog” as a call and repeat song. You could even blow bubbles at the end and let the kids pop them.
For “Five Green and Speckled Frogs” we used this great paper towel tube frog prop from Mel’s Corner.
Skill building: fluency and counting
Follow-Up Activities
Here are some more activities to try at home after storytime.
Pond Sensory Play
Set up this pond sensory bin from Blog Me Mom and the kids will be able to use it to retell the story and enjoy lots of pond pretend play.
Turtle Snack
This turtle snack from Meet the Dubiens is super quick and healthy!
Splash Party
Host a Splash Party similar to the one Jornie.com created for lots of outdoor wet play.
Frog Counting
Practice more counting with this frog activity from Rainy Day Mum.
Books about Counting
Check out these Counting Books in the Garden from Growing Book by Book or these 31 Counting Books from No Time for Flashcards.
For more storytime ideas to go along with the book, Splash! and other great books, follow our Storytime Ideas Pinterest board.
Follow Jodie Rodriguez @ Growing Book by Book’s board Storytime Ideas on Pinterest.
Join us next week for Mo Willems week. It is our grand finale!
Anne at Left Brain Craft Brain says
Super cute! Love the turtle necklace! Thanks for sharing at the Love to Learn Linky.
Jill says
Love this project Jodie and the list of follow-up activities. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for next week’s finale with Mo Willems 🙂
Amanda @artsy_momma says
Adorable activity! My daughter loves pretending to be a frog and would love this book and craft 🙂
Kathy Penney @ Penney Lane Kitchen says
What a precious project! My little ones would love this! Pinning. Thank you for sharing.
Kelly @ Kelly's Classroom says
Excellent blog post! I love how detailed and comprehensive everything is.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks Kelly. I love sharing the best ideas I can create and find!
Lisa/SyncopatedMama says
You have such great ideas!
Clare says
She does doesn’t she Lisa? I would love to be able to come up with ideas like these myself but I find myself coming back here time and time again to just see what Jodie has thought of!
Jodie Rodriguez says
You are so sweet Clare!
Becca Niederkrom says
This is ridiculously creative, glad I can find people like you that come up with the creative ideas that I get to use. Thx!!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks Becca!
JDaniel4's Mom says
What fun! We love water and water themed books at my house. I have pinned this post for later!
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
I saw your Runaway Alphabet activity linked on Reading Confetti. It looks like so much fun and will be a perfect activity to use with my two-year-old. Thanks!
Jodie Rodriguez says
So glad you found us Amy!
Stephanie @ Jornie.com says
Hi Jodie, thanks for linking up my Splash Party post! We had so much fun with it and I hope your readers will as well. 🙂 Love your blog!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you Stephanie!