I love doing themes on slightly abstract subjects in our world that people take for granted. Wind is a great example of this! Often, we don’t even really notice the wind unless it’s more extreme, so pointing it out and looking at how it interacts with everyday things is really fun. There’s also so much potential to work in math and science concepts into this theme!
Introduction: Wind storytime was so fun! First, I welcomed the kids and as we were waiting for the others to file in and begin, we talked about our subject of the day. I asked the kids if they had ever seen the wind. Most said no, but of course, some said yes! Then I asked them what they thought the wind was made out of. Unfortunately, no one said “air,” but I did get a lot of fun answers! Then it was time to begin, so we sang our opening song
Sign of the Day: Today we learned “Wind.” We talked about how we can make the word mean “really strong wind” by changing our facial expression and making the movement a little more exaggerated.
Book: When the Wind Blows by Stacy Clark
This is a fun title to read because so many of the instances of wind are really relatable to kids! Flying kites, grass swaying, sail boats and much more! Even better, it introduces kids to wind power and the potential of using it for energy!
Song: I See the Wind (Tune: Hush Little Baby)
I see the wind when the leaves dance by. (Wave hands in front of body.)
I see the wind when the clothes wave “Hi!” (Wave hello.)
I see the wind when the trees bend low. (Put arms over head and bend to the side.)
I see the wind when the flags all blow. (Stand up and wave arms above head.)
I see the wind when the kites fly high. (Stretch arms up high.)
I see the wind when the clouds float by. (Put arms down and wave hands gently.)
I see the wind when it blows my hair. (Lift hair with hands.)
I see the wind ‘most everywhere! (Hold hands out with palms up.)
Book: Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand
Another title in the super sweet Bear and Mole stories! Follow these two friends as they build their own kite and fly it out into the sky…until a storm rolls in!
Rhyme: This Little Wind. I use this little rhyme as a finger counting rhyme. We mimic what we think the different types of wind sounds like, then end on our pinky finger, swaying back and forth.
This little wind blows silver rain,
This little wind blows snow.
This little wind sings a whistly tune,
This little wind sighs low.
This little wind rocks baby birds
And branches to and fro.
Felt: One Windy Wednesday by Phyllis Root
Kids LOVE this felt story! It’s about a windy day. So windy that it blows the moo right out of the cow and the oink out of the pig! It’s a fun story of mixed-up sounds and is great for building letter knowledge since we use felt word bubbles.
Scarf Activities: We start by passing out the scarves, then sing I’m a Little Kite (Tune: I’m a Little Teapot) as we act out the words. Then we try our hand at One Bright Scarf from Jbrary.
I’m a little kite up in the sky,
See me flying, oh, so high.
When the wind begins to blow and blow,
I’ll twirl and swirl, just watch me go!
Closing: We kept our scarves out for our closing song this time and used them to tickle the clouds!
More Books to Check Out:
- Flora’s Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall
- Good Night, Wind by Linda E. Marshall
- Kate, Who Tamed the Wind by Liz Garton Scanlon
- Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
- A Page in the Wind by José Sanabria
- Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze by Maureen Wright
- The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl by Keith Negley
- The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
- The Red Hat by David Teague
- Wind by Helen Cox Cannons
- Who Took the Farmer’s Hat? by Joan L. Nodset
- When the Wind Blows by Linda Booth Sweeny
Librarian Ginny 