Birds | Storytime Planning Bundle

Birds | Storytime Planning Bundle

Great storytimes don’t just happen on their own. While it may appear that we just grab a few themed books, add a few well-loved rhymes into the mix, and boom … instant storytime. The reality is that it takes a lot of planning and curating to create storytimes that are fun to present, flow naturally, and are engaging for little listeners and their caregivers. 

This resource includes planning sheets, poetry list, themed rhymes, nonfiction book list, and picture book list  – all the things you need to help you plan the perfect storytime or reading activity. Short on time? The 30 minute ready-to-go storytime is included too!

This folder includes:

- Resource Guide

- Ready-to-Go 30 min. Storytime Plan

- Printable Song and Rhyme cards

- Planning Guide

- Planning Sheets

Planning Guide Includes:

Poetry List  |  Poems are a great way to introduce or enhance your theme. 

• You can use a poem to encourage your listeners to guess what you will be reading about by using context clues, listening skills, and making inferences. 
• You can also use a short poem to transition between books or activities.

Themed Rhymes  |  Rhymes are a versatile resource in planning storytimes. 

• You can use rhymes to build familiarity across storytimes and activities. 
• Familiar rhymes encourage participation from your listeners and, if being presented in a library setting, caregivers as well. 
• Rhymes can be adapted to be used both for movement, fingerplays, and felt boards.

Nonfiction Book List  |  Don't be afraid to use non-fiction picture books in your storytimes!

• Read only the main text or or use the subtext to point out interesting facts. 
• Read only a page or paperclip pages together in a way that doesn't interrupt the flow of the text.
• Use the list to create book displays.

Picture Book List  |  Picture books are invaluable. 

• Use picture books to introduce new versions of familiar stories and rhymes. 
• Use wordless picture books to create a dialogue or as creative writing prompts. 
• In upper grades, use picture books to introduce topics or chapter books. 
• Use the list to create book displays.

Storytime Planning Sheets  |  Use a planning outline! 

• Planning sheets are laid out for a 30 minute storytime.
• Allows you to plan out rhymes and books that flow into one another or pair together. 
• Outlined to rotate between books and rhymes to keep little listeners engaged and, hopefully, avoid the wiggles.
• A printable pdf file in 3 layouts.
• An editable pptx file in 3 layouts.

Song and Rhyme Cards | Printable

• Print as a full page for use in a storytime, classroom, or circle time binder
• Print 2 per page, cut out, and laminate for durability or outside storytime
• Add a hole punch in the upper corner, add a ring and use on-the-go.

Files Included:

• Resource Guide
• Stories, Songs and Rhymes Planning Guide
• Editable Planning Sheets
• Printable Planning Sheets
• 30 minute Storytime Plan
• Printable Song and Rhyme Cards (pdf and Google Slides)

Happy Reading!