A Ramadan Felt Board Pattern!

 

Ramadan is here!

A year or two ago I had the pleasure of learning all about Ramadan, and I created a felt board set for story time and for independent play.  I wrote about it here.  Click there for my thoughts, feelings, and some of the lyrics :) 

And after having a ton of people ask me if I could pretty please make a pattern for them...

I finally did!

I'm so pleased that the pattern will make the Ramadan set more accessible to more people.  I know as a teacher our classroom was sorely lacking in materials that represented children of color and a variety of holidays and cultures.  I hope this pattern fills that hole a bit if you're experiencing the same thing!

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🍎📚Flannel Board Fun felt board story sets are multi-use circle time fun!  With each felt set, you get the lyrics for three or more rhymes, songs and/or stories to use with it!  Hello, storytime FUN!

 

✂️You can find felt board patterns right here.  

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🛒🍎📚Shop all the Storytime felt board songs, rhymes, and story sets: 

  

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Christmas Play Felt Board Set

I've had a lot of fun creating some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate (like Diwali, and Kwanzaa, and Ramadan, and Hanukkah!) (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for those sets.)  I'm really happy to be able to share those, as I think it's pretty important to expose kids to various cultures. And to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)  

For the most part, I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand most easily. So the concepts are generally about simple traditions vs. religious themes.  

I also want my sets to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.  

And today I'm sharing my Christmas set!  This one was primarily created for kids to play with independently at home (or in a classroom or library setting).  I've got a couple of other Christmas storytime sets already, and I was thinking more about independent play when I built this cutie  But as you see from the songs below, it can certainly be used at story time as well!

The Lights on the Tree 

As you sing each verse, place the pieces on the board.

 

The lights on the tree go sparkle, sparkle, sparkle, (twinkle fingers) 

sparkle, sparkle, sparkle; sparkle, sparkle, sparkle 

The lights on the tree go sparkle, sparkle, sparkle… 

On Christmas day! 

 

The cookies left for Santa are yummy, yummy, yummy (rub tummy) 

The stockings hung with care are red and green (point at each as you sing the color)

The Christmas pajamas we wear are cozy and warm (put the jammies on the kids and hug yourself)

The presents under the tree have bows and ribbon (place the ribbons on the gifts)

The candy canes in the stockings are sticky and sweet (put the candy canes in the stockings)

 

 

Ornament Hide and Seek

Arrange your pieces on the board as you’d like them, naming them with the children.  Have the children cover their eyes, or turn the board around, or take the pieces off and sneakily put one of the felt tree ornaments under one of them as you replace them on the board.   Then, perform your chant: 

 

Ornament, ornament, you fell off the tree!

Are you behind the ___________?  Let’s look and see!

Hanukkah Play and Storytime Set

I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate (like Diwali, and Kwanzaa, and Ramadan!) (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.)  I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)  

I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand most easily, so the concepts are generally about simple traditions vs. religious themes.  

I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.  

So up today is Hanukkah.  This particular set was originally created for kids to play with independently--but then I realized it's completely usable at story time, too! I made up some super simple songs to go with the set--Hanukkah vocabulary and concepts are sprinkled within, and the tunes are familiar so everyone will have an easy time joining in.

It is Hanukkah  © Wendy Gerbi

To the tune of Frere Jacques.  Explain the concept of call and response if the kids aren’t familiar with it.  You can set up your pieces on the board ahead of time or place them on as you sing about them.  Do what works for you—having the kids help place the pieces on the board is the most fun 😊

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

The shamash lights the candles, the shamash lights the candles.

Shining bright, shining bright!

 

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Fry potato latkes, fry potato latkes,

Eat them up, eat them up!

 

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Spin the little dreidels, spin the little dreidels,

Watch them fall, watch them fall!

 

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Fry the sufganiyot, fry the sufganiyot,

Cherries on top, cherries on top!

 

Hanukkah is Here

to the tune of Farmer in the Dell

As you sing about each felt piece, place it on the board.

 

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Light the candles in the menorah,

Hanukkah is here!

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Fry the latkes in the pan,

Hanukkah is here!

 

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Spin the dreidels and watch them fall,

Hanukkah is here!

 

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Chocolate gelt for all the kids,

Hanukkah is here!

 

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Icing and cherries on our doughnuts,

Hanukkah is here!

 

Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here,

Celebrate with friends and family,

Hanukkah is here!

Diwali: Rangoli Hide and Seek!

Okay, here we go again!

I love a good reason to come up with another version of Little Mouse, and Diwali is as good a reason as any!

This Diwali set has lots of songs and games that go along with it, which you can read about here.  I even briefly mentioned this game in one of those posts, but now I've got a video for it, so wanted to share it again :) 

Click the image below to see this simple game in action.  It's a great way to introduce Diwali concepts and vocabulary to even your littlest story time friends!

Diwali Is Here!

I've written about my Diwali set before.

You can find that post right here.  But I just this minute added a video of this song!  I love making up new words to familiar tunes, because it's simple for adults and kids to learn them and join in :)

Here are the lyrics:

Diwali is Here 

to the tune of Farmer in the Dell

As you sing about each felt piece, place it on the board. 

Diwali is here, Diwali is here

Light the paper lanterns now,

Diwali is here!

Diwali is here, Diwali is here, 

Play the music loud and clear,

Diwali is here!

Diwali is here, Diwali is here,

Fireworks on the third night, 

Diwali is here!

Diwali is here, Diwali is here, 

Light the Diya lamps one by one,

Diwali is here!

Diwali is here, Diwali is here, 

Rangoli patterns on the floor,

Diwali is here!

Diwali is here, Diwali is here, 

Share some treats and give some gifts,

Diwali is here!

And here's a video so you can sing along :) 

Ramadan Storytime Set

Next month is Ramadan, and I don't have a Ramadan set!  Strike that--I DIDN'T have a Ramadan set.  But now I do :)

Like my Kwanzaa and Diwali sets, I had to do quite a bit of research for this set--because I don't personally celebrate Ramadan. Here's what I wrote about those holidays, and it applies here, too:

I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate. (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.)  I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)  

I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand, so the concepts are about simple traditions vs. religious themes.  

I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.

Here's one of the rhymes I've written to go along with this set:

Ramadan is Here ©Wendy Gerbi

Place your felt pieces on the board s you sing about them and use the pieces to act out the words as you sing them.

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here,

The moon is a crescent in the sky,

Ramadan is here!

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here

"Ramadan Mubarak" to everyone,

Ramadan is here!

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here,

Eat only when it is dark outside,

Ramadan is here!

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here,

Decorate with lanterns and stars,

Ramadan is here!

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here,

Be kind to everyone we see,

Ramadan is here.

 

Ramadan is here, Ramadan is here,

Put money in the Zakat jar,

Ramadan is here.

 

Now…

Ramadan is over, Ramadan is over,

“Eid Mubarek” to everyone!

Ramadan is over.

 

Now it’s time for Eid, now it’s time for Eid,

Gifts and candy to celebrate,

Now it’s time for Eid!

Kwanzaa Flannel Board Set!

I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate. (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.)  I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)  

I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand, so the concepts are about simple traditions vs. any religious themes that might be attached.  

I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.

First up was Diwali, and now it's time for Kwanzaa!

Here's one of the songs I'll use with this set:

It is Kwanzaa! ©Wendy Gerbi

to the tune of Frere Jacques

Teach the kids how to do this as a call and response.  As you sing about each piece, place it on your flannel board, or you may want to have some of them already positioned.
It is Kwanzaa, it is Kwanzaa
Seven days of light, seven days of light
Candles in the kinara, candles in the kinara,
They shine so bright, they shine so bright!

It is Kwanzaa, it is Kwanzaa
Seven days of light, seven days of light
Corn for all the children, corn for all the children,
On the straw mat, on the straw mat.

It is Kwanzaa, it is Kwanzaa
Seven days of light, seven days of light
Lots of fruits and veggies, lots of fruits and veggies
For our karamu feast, for our karamu feast!

It is Kwanzaa, it is Kwanzaa
Seven days of light, seven days of light
Pass around the Unity Cup, pass around the Unity Cup,
We are all together, we are all together!

It is Kwanzaa, it is Kwanzaa
Seven days of light, seven days of light
Gifts for friends and family, gifts for friends and family
Let’s celebrate, let’s celebrate!

Naturally, I also laminated a small Kwanzaa flag, so we can play a Kwanzaa version of the Little Mouse game.  I'm sure you're surprised ;) 

Little flag, little flag, where can you be?

Are you under the kinara?

Let's peek and see!

Christmas Fun!

 We need some jolly old Christmas storytime fun, don't we?  Yes, indeed!  So here we go:

The laminated jingle bell is just right for a Christmas version of Little Mouse:

Jingle bell, jingle bell, you're hiding somewhere!
Are you behind the Christmas tree?

Let's peek under there!

And this set is just right for a Christmas version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  

I like it so much, I even made a video of it :) 

Fingers too tired to make your own?  Visit my shop:

Diwali Flannel Board Fun!

I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate. (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.)  I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)  

I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand, so the concepts are about simple traditions vs. religious themes.  

I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.

So up first is Diwali.  I made up some super simple songs to go with the set--Diwali vocabulary and concepts are sprinkled within, and the tunes are familiar so everyone will have an easy time joining in.

It’s Diwali! ©Wendy Gerbi

to the tune of Frere Jacques

It’s Diwali, it’s Diwali,

The Festival of Lights, the Festival of Lights!

Light the paper lanterns, light the paper lanterns,

They shine so bright, they shine so bright!

It’s Diwali, it’s Diwali,

The Festival of Lights, the Festival of Lights!

Decorate with flowers, decorate with flowers, 

Colorful and bright, colorful and bright!

It’s Diwali, it’s Diwali,

The Festival of Lights, the Festival of Lights!

Make rangoli patterns, make rangoli patterns, 

Such a lovely sight, such a lovely sight!

It’s Diwali, it’s Diwali,

The Festival of Lights, the Festival of Lights!

Watch the pretty fireworks, watch the pretty fireworks, 

So bright at night, so bright at night!

And then there's Diwali is Here!.  You can read all about that and see the video right here.

I (of course) wanted a hide and seek/Little Mouse game for this set.  I drew a rangoli, printed it out, and laminated it:

Rangoli, rangoli, where can you be?

Are you behind the paper lantern, let's peek and see!

Happy Diwali!

Five Fat Turkeys--A Simpler Version :)

I love my old version of Five Fat Turkeys.  But I wanted to sell a set in my shop, and the turkeys in that set were blatantly copied from another Flannel Friday fan!  Plus, they were so layered and detailed that they would be a million dollars to buy.  Maybe a million and one.

After a few requests, I finally got my rear in gear and created a new, simpler set.  Similar cook, similar tree, new gobblers :)

(You can buy these guys right here.)

The video of this set uses my old turkey friends:

                                   

Don't forget to check out Flannel Friday's Pinterest boards for all sorts of amazing ideas!

And of course, feel free to visit my shop:

Like what you see?