This is a Square

I was inspired by Shawn at Read, Rhyme and Sing, who did this activity using letters.  I decided to copy the concept using shapes and colors, which I thought my Two-Year-Olds might be a bit more in tune with.  I was right--they love this simple but fun activity.  Below I have a picture of the shapes (which I cut out free hand while binge watching some show or another on Netflix...), as well as the instruction card that's kept along with it in the storage bag.  There are lots more ideas that I didn't put on the card (handing out shapes and having children bring up a matching shape or color; having children come up and find a color that matches something they're wearing, or something the same color as ___________; the list goes on...)

This particular set isn't for sale, but please check out my shop with many of my other sets:

Flannel Board Fun Shop

This week you'll find the Flannel Friday roundup at Catch the Possibilities and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.

Three Little Penguins Sliding on the Ice

These cuties are available in my shop, 

and come with the lyrics on a printed card.

One late January night I felt like using felt, but ran out of steam midway through my project...  The result is this set of 3 (not 5!) penguins and their little patch of ice.  My intention was to do Five Little Penguins, in much the same way that Emily of Literary Hoots did.  Maybe one day I'll finish off the set, but until then, I think 3 is a lovely number :)

Three little penguins, playing on the ice 

One slipped off and "Ouch! That's not nice!" 

Mama called the doctor and the doctor's advice? 

"No more penguins playing on the ice!" 

This week you'll find the Flannel Friday roundup at Catch the Possibilities and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.

Five Little Fish

Though I didn't go swimming with any fish on my recent trip to Nicaragua, I was at the ocean, and there are sharks in Lake Nicaragua, so I'm posting this in honor of my trip anyway!  You may recognize that awesome shark from his original debut at Piper Loves the Library, but the fish are all mine.  Or, well, at least copied from a google search of clip art!  I love the way the collage method makes their colors stand out.  

The children always look a little hesitant when I pull such a grumpy looking shark out of his storage bag. But I place my finger over his furrowed brow and show them how different he looks--and then we all start wiggling our eyebrows at each other and talking about things that make us happy or grumpy or surprised, and once we finally get back on track to do the shark stories, everyone's feeling much more at ease!

Here are the poems and songs we typically do with this set.  I believe I found these both at Perpetual Preschool ages and ages ago.

Five Little Fish/Teasing Mr. Shark

Five little fishies swimming in the sea, (encourage the kids to 'swim' their hands)

Teasing Mr. Shark--"You can't catch me!" (thumbs on temples, fingers waving in air)

Along comes Mr. Shark as quiet as can be (swim him behind the board with fin showing, and the kids can put their hands up like a fin, too!)

And SNAPS that fish right out of the sea! (Kids clap on 'snaps' and shark/teacher removes one fish)

Continue on, counting down.  I always like to give the option of a happy ending if anyone seems upset.  Sometimes we ask Mr. Shark if he's eaten the fish, and he answers with grunts, keeping his mouth tightly closed!  Eventually we tell him a joke so he laughs, and all the fish come swimming right on out :)  Or something along those lines...

This particular set isn't for sale, but please check out my shop with many of my other sets:

Flannel Board Fun Shop

Five Little Fish (this one doesn't use the shark)
(sung to London Bridge;)

Five little fish swimming by the shore,
By the shore, by the shore,
One got caught, then there were four, four little fish.

Four little fish swimming in the sea,
In the sea, in the sea,
One got caught, then there were three, three little fish.

Three little fish swimming in the blue,
In the blue, in the blue,
One got caught, then there were two, two little fish.

Two little fish swimming in the sun,
In the sun, in the sun,
One got caught, then there was one, one little fish.

One little fish swimming straight for home,
Straight for home, straight for home.
Decided he would never roam, smart little fish.

This week you'll find the Flannel Friday roundup at Catch the Possibilities and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.

Flannel Friday Roundup for 2/19

It's a super light roundup this week--but I'll be happy to add anyone to the roundup if you include a linky and a comment below by Sunday evening!  The more the merrier :)

Now for the roundup!

First off, we've got chickens!!  It's always Fun with Friends at Storytime, and this week is no different!  Kathryn has posted a cute and colorful Hens of Different Colors file folder rhyme, and she even links to many other wonderful chicken ideas she's blogged about in the past.  I think spring must be in the air...

And I'm sharing There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.

Since we're so light this week, I'll add another!  I originally shared Who Sank the Boat in November, but that was before I had joined Flannel Friday, so hopefully it will be new to many of you!

 Don't forget to check out lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page!  And feel free to add your contribution below in the comments section so we can make this a more boisterous Flannel Friday!  I'll keep it open till Sunday evening.

Flannel Friday: There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea

Recently our classroom received this copy of Over in the Meadow.  I loved it so much that I did a YouTube search for more Barefoot Books, and found There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.  Though it doesn't grab me as much as Over in the Meadow, I thought it would translate well into a flannel board story.

Here's the song:

And here are my flannel pieces:

This particular set isn't for sale, but please check out my shop with many of my other sets:

Flannel Board Fun Shop 

I'm hosting Flannel Friday this week!  You can find the roundup post here.  Also, please be sure to check out all things Flannel Friday here and here!

Flannel Friday re-post: Ask Mr. Bear

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm re-posting this little story about showing your mom a little love :)

Years  ago I found a list of books that translate well to flannel boards...  If I can find it again I will post it here! Anyway, one of the books on that list was Ask Mr. Bear,by Marjorie Flack, and though I did get the book for my classroom, I never did make it into a felt board.  I finally got around to it last month, so here it is...

I scanned a page with each animal, one with Danny, and the last page--the hug :)  I printed them out and outlined them in black marker, and then used the collage technique shown in this video Best Flannel Board Video Ever
to make the pieces.  I used black fabric paint for the facial features and the mommy's bun...

(Updated to switch out the old grainy pics with what are hopefully a little more clear.)

Yep--Danny is reversible so he can follow the animals, and also face Mr. Bear as he talks to him!

This week you'll find the Flannel Friday roundup here and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.

Flannel Friday: Brown Bear in the Ring

Melissa at Mel's Desk has such great patterns and ideas.  I used her pattern for the bears (as well as her idea for Brown Bear in the Ring!), and then used clip art as templates for all the yummy things those bears are looking for...

This particular set isn't for sale, but please check out my shop with many of my other sets:

Flannel Board Fun SHOP 

The lyrics are below, and here's the tune:  

Brown bear in the ring, tra la la la la
Brown bear in the ring, tra la la la la
Brown bear in the ring, tra la la la la
Looking for some honey in the comb.

Panda bear in the ring / Looking for some bamboo in the sun
Black bear in the ring / Looking for berries in the bush
Koala bear in the ring / Looking for some eucalyptus leaves
Polar bear in the ring / Looking for some fishies in the sea

I also plan to bring in a hoola hoop and let the kids take turns holding one of the bears (or we could use our stuffed bears, of which we have at least 5) and stepping into the ring to "show me a motion".  Dancing, singing, and bears--what could be better?


Flannel Friday is being hosted this week by Bridget at What is Bridget Reading and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.

Flannel Friday: Five Birds

Once again I've learned a thing or two by visiting Mel's Desk.  I think the patterns she creates are amazing, don't you?  Put that together with more librarian creativeness like that of Sharon at Rain Makes Applesauce, and you've got the following combo platter:

                            

Five Birds on the Line

Five Birds on the Line

Feeling very Fine.

One flew away, what did they say?

Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp

(repeat as need, chirping as you count the birds, ending in)

One Bird on the line / Feeling very fine. She flew away, what do we say? Bye bye birdie

This particular set isn't for sale, but please check out my shop with many of my other sets:

FlannelBoardFun

and if you like singing and playing with kids, I think you'll love these song strips and lyric cards 

(click the picture below!):

Flannel Friday is being hosted this week by Bridget at What is Bridget Reading,and of course you'll find lots of other ideas at Flannel Friday's blog or Pinterest page.