I Spy: Backyard Adventures
Books to Share
- I Went Walking by Sue Williams.
- In My World by Lois Ehlert.
- The Little Lawnmower by Joy Bean.
- Mushroom In the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg.
Books to Show and Booktalk
- Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes.
- Flower Garden by Eve Bunting.
- Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole.
- Over In the Meadow: An Old Nursery Counting Rhyme by Paul Galdone.
- Sunflower House by Eve Bunting.
Bulletin Board
Backyard Adventures
Cover the bulletin board with blue paper and decorate with tall grass. Hide book jackets behind the blades of grass and add the caption, “Backyard Adventures”.
Stamp
As the children enter the storytime area, stamp their hands with the shape of something they might see in a backyard, such as a tree, flower, bug, bunny, bird.
Fingerplay
Fun In Our Backyard
(Adapted by Leila Raven Parrish.)
Climb the ladder, and down we slide; (Make a sliding motion with hands)
Then on our tricycle we ride. (Make a pedaling motion)
Swinging, swinging, way up high, (Swing arms back and forth)
Stretching, stretching to the sky. (Reach arms up high)
Around and around we go, (Stand and turn in a circle)
Having fun in our backyard.
Rhyme
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
(Traditional)
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Song
I’ve Been Playing in the Backyard
(Adapted by Leila Raven Parrish. Sing to the tune of “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad”.)
I’ve been playing in the backyard
All the live long day.
I’ve been playing in the backyard,
Just to pass the time away.
Can’t you hear the swings a swinging,
Rise up so early in the day;
Can’t you hear the children shouting,
“Now is time to play!”
Won’t you come and play? Won’t you come and play?
Won’t you come and play, with me-e-e?
Won’t you come and play? Won’t you come and play?
Won’t you come and play, with me?
Someone’s in the backyard playing,
Someone’s in the backyard I know.
Someone’s in the backyard playing,
With my good friend Joe.
And singing
Fe fi fiddlee-i-o, fe fi fiddlee-i-o,
Fe fi fiddlee-i-o,
Playing with my good friend Joe.
Cut ‘n Tell Story
Tell “The Apple Tree” from Cut & Tell Scissor Stories For Fall by Jean Warren.
Flannel Board Story
“The First Umbrella” in Storytelling with the Flannel Board Book Two by Paul S. Anderson.
Craft
Daffodils
Materials
- Construction paper
- Yellow paper cupcake liners
- Green ribbon
- Glue
Directions
Children place a dot of glue on the back center of a cupcake liner, attach it to a piece of construction paper, and glue on an 8-inch piece of green ribbon for the stem and two 3-inch pieces for leaves.
Activity Sheet
Backyard Adventure Maze
Give each child a copy of the “Backyard Adventure Maze”.
Audio Recording
“Over In the Meadow” on Baby Beluga by Raffi.
Videos
- In the Tall, Tall Grass. (6 minutes)
- Over In the Meadow. (9 minutes)
- A Rainbow Of My Own. (5 minutes)
Professional Resource
- “Cut & Tell” Scissor Stories For Fall by Jean Warren.
- Storytelling with the Flannel Board Book Two by Paul S. Anderson.
