Dinosaurs

This is a dinosaur-themed storytime I shared for Family Storytime earlier this summer for our summer theme of "Dig Into Reading." After our opening song, we started off with several fingerplays and rhymes.

Dinosaurs Lived Long Ago:

Dinosaurs lived long ago.

Some walked (stomp feet)

Some swam (pretend to swim)

Some flew, you know! (flap arms like wings)

Some were big (hold hands up high)

Some were small (hold hands low)

Some were simply gigantic (stretch hands out wide)

Shhhh! Do you hear one? (stomp, stomp, stomp)

source: Bry-Back Manor

I'm a Mean Old Dinosaur:

I’m a mean old dinosaur, big and tall. 

Here is my tail, and here is my claw. (Gesture to ‘tail’, make ‘claw’ with hands)

When I get all hungry, I just growl. (GRRRr)

Look out kids, I’m on the prowl! (stomp, stomp, stomp)

source: Preschool Rainbow

Book: "Dinosaur vs. Bedtime" by Bob Shea

After some rhymes and fingerplays, we read "Dinosaur vs. Bedtime" by Bob Shea. If you haven't read anything in this series, please do!! They are super adorable and fun to read aloud to kids.

Song: "We Are the Dinosaurs" by The Laurie Berkner Band 

Five Enormous Dinosaurs:

Five enormous dinosaurs letting out a roar.

One went away, and then there were four.

Four enormous dinosaurs munching on a tree.

One went away, and then there were three.

Three enormous dinosaurs didn’t know what to do.

One went away, and then there were two.

Two enormous dinosaurs having lots of fun.

One went away, and then there was one.

One enormous dinosaur afraid to be a hero,

She went away and then there were zero.

source: Canton Public Library

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Turn Around:

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, turn around

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, touch the ground

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, reach up high

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, blink your eyes

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, touch your nose

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, touch your toes

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, slap your knees

Dinosaur, Dinosaur, sit down please

source: Storytime Katie

*I actually use a variant of this most storytimes, because it is a fun action rhyme to get the kids ready for the second book we are reading. But I like Storytime Katie's version of the "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around" best. 

Book: "How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon" by Jane Yolen

Yet another great series! And "How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon" is a riot. It's a ton of fun to read and all of Jane Yolen's dinosaur books are great!

And then we finished up with a few closing songs that we have at every storytime. A little repetition in every storytime is a great thread to help kids learn the songs and play along with movements that they are already familiar with.