THE THROW AWAY HEARTS

FREE TO COPY 

February's Free contribution. Especially for teachers. Your students will become very involved in this fun story and will wonder why the hearts are sad after Valentines Day. Don't tell them. Make note of the hearts each day during February. 

You will need three fairly large red hearts. Draw happy faces on one side, frowny faces on the other side. Post the three happy hearts on board where children will notice them. Turn the hearts over to their sad faces the day after you have your valentines’ party.

On the last school day of February tell the story of the Throw Away Hearts. Exchange the red hearts for the green hearts. shaped into a shamrock as you tell the story. see picture below. Draw happy faces on the green hearts that make up the shamrock.)(Story can possibly be told on flannel board at the last day of February. Tack small squared of flannel on each heart.)

THE THROW-AWAY HEARTS

by

M. C. Arvanitis

Once upon a time there were three happy hearts. They lived on the bulletin board in Ms. Millie classroom. A calendar hung beside them. The heading on the calendar read “February”. It had a red X on the number 14.

Ms. Millie showed her class the three happy hearts and then made note of the number 14 on the calendar. “This is Valentines day. On this day we will have our Valentines party,” she told her class.

The three hearts watched Ms. Millie mark off the calendar days one by one. When Valentine’s Day came the children exchanged Valentines. The three Hearts were as excited as the students. 
But after the party Ms. Millie drew Xs over each February day until there was only two days left. The hearts began to worry. “What will happen to us when February is gone?” Heart One wondered.

“They will throw us in the trashcan,” answered Heart Two, “Nobody uses hearts to decorate school rooms after February.”

“Not the trashcan!” cried Heart Three.

“Don’t panic,” Heart One said, “Maybe we can think of a way Ms. Millie can use us next month.”

On the last day of February Heart One asked. “Have you thought of any thing, yet?” 

The other two shook their heads.

Heart Two cried, “We are done for.”

“Crying will not help,” scolded Heart One. He looked at the next calendar page. “The next month is March. In March spring comes and the grass turns green.”

“I have an idea,” shouted Heart Two, “What If we turned green?”

“It is worth a try,” said Heart Three. “Close your eyes and imagine being green.”

When they opened their eyes they had turned green. “Now Ms. Millie won’t throw us in the trash!” shouted Heart Three.

Heart One frowned. “It won’t work. No one needs hearts after February, not even green ones.”

Heart Two started to cry again. “Tomorrow morning Ms. Millie will change the bulletin board. What are we going to do?”

“We can’t give up,” said Heart Three, “Let’s put our heads together and think.”

“That is it!” shouted Heart One.

“What?” asked the others.

“Putting our heads together,” laughed Heart One. “Look at the March calendar. There is a special holiday called St. Patrick’s Day.”

“So?” asked Heart Two.

“It is marked with a shamrock leaf. The leaf looks like three hearts with their sides together.”

“Good idea. We’ll become a shamrock.” laughed Heart Three.

The three hearts moved together, their sides touching. Heart One pulled a green stem from a paper flower on the bulletin board. He placed it on their bottoms. “Now we look like a shamrock leaf!” he exclaimed.

The next morning Ms. Millie came in early to decorate her room for the new month. The Hearts held their breaths as she took down all the hearts around the room. When she started to decorate the bulletin board she saw the green shamrock leaf.

“Where did this shamrock come from?” she asked herself. “It is just what I need for this month.”

The Hearts gave sighs of relief as Ms. Millie marked number 17 on the March calendar. She told her class, "On this day everyone should wear something green and we'll celebrate St. Patricks day." The hearts knew that they would be safe for another month.

____________

Art Activity

Let the children cut out their own green hearts and put them together making their own shamrock. Green of course is celebrated in March and on St. Pat's day my students loved to make and eat green eggs with ham .. after reading Dr. Suess's GREEN EGGS AND HAM.  

Four To Get Ready Puppet Dialogue # 5: I Wish I were Never Born.

This is Lindy Leo Lion who was the resident puppet in the Four-To-Get-Ready Preschool for sixteen years. He was designed and made by my daughter, Mary.

FREE TO COPY 

January's Free contribution.  In January many teachers post the children's baby
pictures to celebrate new beginnings.  This dialogue fits in these discussions.

Every preschool/kindergarten classroom should have a

school puppet friend. This puppet is introduced to the

students at the first of the year and only the teacher uses it.

(It is a tool not a toy) Have a puppet story time at a specific

time each day. Teacher should use her actor’s voice .. try to

speak differently when speaking for the puppet. In my dialogues

the puppet is a lion, thus called “Lindy Leo Lion”. You may

want to use another type of puppet. Use the same puppet each

time and be sure you give it a name that will interest the students.

You may want to put on a bit of music that will remind the

Students when it is the Puppet Story time.Please feel free to 

copy off and use. I only ask that you list me as the author and 

that you leave a comment if doing so. It would be nice for me 

to know if these free stories and dialogues are useful to you.   

M.C. Arvanitis 

Four To Get Ready PUPPET DIALOGUE # 1: 

I Wish I Were Never Born.

By M. C. Arvanitis 

 TEACHER:  (Hold puppet’s head down. look over the puppet.) You

 look rather unhappy this morning. Is something wrong?

 LINDY: Everything is wrong! I woke up with a headache.  I didn't 

             have any milk for my breakfast cereal. I. forgot to prepare for this morning’s

             story time. I wish I had never been born.

 TEACHER:  It would be a different world if you hadn’t been born.

 LINDY: Well, no one would miss me.

            TEACHER: You are right. We couldn’t miss you if you hadn't been

            born because we would never have known you. We have to know

            someone in order to miss them. But since you have been born and you

            are our friend we would miss you if you were not here.

LINDY: Would you really miss me?

TEACHER: Of course, we would. I remember the first day we met

you, when I introduced you to our class. Don’t you remember?

LINDY: Yes, I remember. I was so shy of meeting the children.

TEACHER:  Do you remember how the children made you feel better

by singing with you? After that whenever you were around us you

made us all feel good with your songs and stories.

                                   

LINDY: Well, yes, but sometimes I still feel useless. I wonder why I

was born.   (Have puppet bow its head as if sad.  Use a sad voice.)

TEACHER: We all feel that way once in a while, Lindy, but we

have to remember that each of us was born for a reason. We each have

special things that we can do. You were born to share your stories and

songs with us. If you hadn’t been born we wouldn’t be able to hear your

stories and sing your songs.

LINDY: You mean if I had not been born I wouldn’t be able to be here

with you and the children?

TEACHER: That is exactly what I mean. You were born so you

could be here with us and make us laugh and sing.

LINDY: And dance!

TEACHER: (Laughing) Puppets can’t dance. They don’t have legs.

LINDY: I can if you’ll help me.

TEACHER: Do you really want to dance?

LINDY: Oh yes.  I was born to boogie--to twist--to do the hop--to

cut the rug--to trip the light fantastic.  Where’s the music? Where's the

music?

TEACHER: Well, if you think you can dance I have some music

right here.  Come on everyone. Lets dance with Lindy.

            (Play quick stepping CD and dance around the room moving

the puppet to the beat. Encourage children to dance with the music.)

LINDY: (Out of breath.)  That was fun. It made me tingle all over.

It’s so good to be alive. I’m glad we all were born. But now, I’m tired. I

think I’ll take a nap.

TEACHER: I hope you will come back tomorrow because we would

really miss you if you didn’t. 

LINDY: Oh, I’ll be back. I can’t wait until I tell you my next story.

Good-bye everyone.

            (Retire puppet to its place.)

                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE PEEK-A-BOO DRAGON

THE PEEK-A-BOO DRAGON

FREE TO COPY 

     Christmas is coming. Are you wondering what to get for that littlest one in your family? Older babies to four year olds love to play peek a boo. Copy off my Peek A Boo Dragon story poem and add a dragon puppet. Be sure to use a friendly looking dragon, not scary. (Works good with any puppet or stuffed animal just change the word ‘dragon’ to whatever puppet you have.) Read the story inside, outside, where ever while playing peek a boo.(see the story line.) Older preschoolers can play the game with others too. Remember this is free to all parents, grandparents, teachers and any one who want to share.  All I ask is that you COMMENT when you copy it and  acknowledge me as the author.

                                   

http://clipart-for-free.blogspot.com/

PEEK A BOO DRAGON

by

M. C. Arvanitis

I am the Peek a Boo Dragon and I've come to play.

I can peek a boo with you just any old day.

Peek a boo, peek a boo, peek a boo boo boo.

Whenever you'll let me I'll peek a boo with you

I am the Peek a Boo Dragon and I can play peek a boo

With your brother, sister, and especially with you.

If your grandma or grandpa is home they can play.

Just hide behind the door--then jump out and say.

Peek a boo, peek a boo, peek a boo boo boo.

Whenever you'll let me I'll peek a boo with you.

I am the Peek a Boo Dragon and I'm here to say

I will play peek a boo on a bright sunny day.

We'll peek a boo your shadow when it's on the run.

It'll peek a boo back in and out of the sun.

If snow is on the ground and you build a snowman

I'll come and peek a boo him if you think I can.

But if he just stands looking at me and you

I think he doesn't like me to play peek a boo.

Peek a boo, peek a boo, peek a boo boo boo.

Whenever you'll let me I'll peek a boo with you.

If your day is boring and you don't know what to do.

Come and find me and I will peek a boo with you.

Call up your friend to come over to play

We'll play peek a boo for the rest of the day. 

Be careful of the lamps and things sitting around.

Cause if you peek a boo wildly and knock one down

You may be sent to your room for a time out.

But if happens to you don't sit alone and pout.

Just call on me. You'll feel better if you do.

Whenever you'll let me I'll peek a boo with you.

When it's time for lunch and you don't want to eat.

You don't like the veggies or even your meat.

You can play peek a boo with veggies --just wait.

When no one is looking hide them under your plate.

But your mama may play this little game too.

Finding the food will be her "peek a boo." 

She'll laugh when you tell her I hid it for you.

"That peek a boo Dragon is too smart to be true."

Peek a boo, peek a boo, peek a boo boo boo.

Whenever you'll let me I'll peek a boo with you.

It's time for your bed but you don't want to go.

Don't spend time crying and carrying on so.

Just crawl under the covers and pretend to do

The peek a boo, with me and the sandman too.

Morning will come quickly if you close your eyes.

And when the sun is climbing in the daytime skies.

The Peek a Boo Dragon will came back to play,

and we'll peek a boo, peek a boo all of the day.

Peek a boo, peek a boo, peek a boo boo boo.

I'm the Peek a Boo Dragon and I'll peek a boo you.

     Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek a boo!

To make your own Dragon Puppet go to

http://www.ehow.com/how_6594544_make-dragon-hand-puppet.htm

To buy a dragon puppet go to

http://www.musicmotion.com/product.htm?pid=434276

or

http://compare.ebay.com/like/380378384819

Add a book to your gift.

Baby Dragon by Amy Ehrlich

Buy from Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/ip/8808845

(Pink and Yellow Dragon Graphics from http://www.dreamstime.com/)

MERLE SQUIRREL AND THE SCARECROW

 FREE TO COPY

OCTOBER's free story (from my Back Yard Friends) to download and read to your preschool children. Good for Teachers, Parents, and Grandparents.  

(graphic taken from

  http://akidsheart.com/holidays/thanks/tclip1.htm)

 MERLE  SQUIRREL

AND  THE  SCARECROW

by

M.  C.  Arvanitis

Merle Squirrel clapped his hands together as he looked at his pile of acorns. “Those acorns will taste really good when I wake up from my winter’s nap,” he said.

Bitty BlueJay swooped down from the oak tree. “Don’t you know you can’t leave them lay on the ground? The crows will eat them all before you wake.”

“Oh dear. Where can I hide them from the crows?” he asked.

The crabby jay flipped her wings, “That’s not my problem,” and she flew to her nest on the top of the tree.

“She’s right, it is my problem,” Merle said to himself. Rachel Robin hopped by with a fat worm in her mouth. When she heard Merle she gobbled it up. “What is your problem, Merle?” she asked.

“If I leave my acorns on the ground the crows will eat them. Can you help me find a place where I could hide them? “

Rachael shook her head. “Sorry, but my family and I are leaving for the winter. It is time for us to fly south. See ya.” And she flew away.

Merle looked up at Ollie Owl, who watched him from his hole in the tree. “Ollie, can I hide my acorns in your place? If I leave them on the ground the crows will eat them.”

“OOO, sorry, no room.” Ollie disappeared back into his hole.

Merle looked all over the farm for a place to hide his acorns. Wherever he looked either another squirrel had claimed the space or it would not be dry enough to keep acorns through the winter.

He continued to search. Each day brought him closer to winter. He was getting desperate. Then he spied a strange looking object standing in Farmer Ann’s cornfield. It had a wide brimmed hat, arms that stretched straight out, a large jacket and baggy pants flopping in the wind. He jumped on the arm of this thing to see it closer. The head was a pumpkin with a face traced upon it. Why this must be the new scarecrow, the one that Farmer Ann made each fall to scare away the crows,” he thought.

He greeted it, "Hello, Scarecrow.” The scarecrow didn't answer. "Guess you don't feel like being friendly, huh?” No answer. Merle was about to jump to the ground when he noticed the scarecrow's jacket pockets. They were wide and deep and no one would ever think of looking in them for acorns.

"Say, could I hide my acorns in your pockets for the winter?" he asked.

The scarecrow didn't answer.

"Is that a yes or a no?"

Still no answer.

"Well, than, I'll consider it a yes." Quickly Merle ran his pile of acorns. It took him all day to carry the acorns in his mouth and placed them in the scarecrow's pockets.

When he finally had the acorns stored he climbed back onto the scarecrows arm and look into its pumpkin face. "Thank you for letting me store my acorns in your coat pockets. I am going to take a short winter nap now but when I wake I will be hungry. The acorns will taste very good when the snow covers the ground and there is nothing else to eat. If you get hungry you may have a few."

Merle climbed up to his nest in the oak tree. Just as he settled down for the winter he saw a big black crow fly near. The scarecrow waved its coat sleeves and the crow flew away. “Good,” he thought. That Scarecrow will keep my acorns safe.

Early in the spring, Merle’s tummy began to growl. He woke up very hungry but he didn't worry. He knew where to find some acorns. Quickly he jumped to the scarecrow's arm. "I've come to get my acorns,” he said.

The scarecrow didn't answer.

"Thanks for looking after them." Merle reached his paw into the pocket. The pocket was empty. "Well, I did say you could eat a few, I guess." He reached into the other pocket. That pocket was also empty. Merle jumped on the scarecrow's arm. "Did you eat all my acorns?”

The scarecrow didn't say anything, but Merle noticed that its face was sort of puffy.

"You did eat my acorns. I said you could eat a few. I didn't say you could eat all of them." He swished his fluffy tail in anger.

At that moment a big black crow zoomed down to reach its beak inside the scarecrow's pocket. It reached to the bottom but came up empty. It tried the other pocket and finally flew away with an empty beak.

"So it was the crows that ate my acorns. Oh dear, I'm so hungry. I'll starve before the new acorns are ready for dropping." Merle started to cry.

The scarecrow's jacket moved back and forth in the breeze. But wait, its pumpkin head was moving too. It shook so hard that the hat fell off. Merle jumped to the lowest corn stalk in fright. He looked down at the scarecrow’s head. He saw a big hole in top of the pumpkin where Farmer Ann had removed the seeds to carve its face. He looked again. The head wasn't empty. It was full of his acorns. 

" Merle jumped back to the scarecrows shoulders and planted a big kiss on the pumpkin’s cheek. “Thank you for keeping my acorns safe.”

 The scarecrow said nothing but if you were watching very closely you could see the mouth curve up into a smile.

Merle climbed on the pumpkin head and contentedly ate his fill.

Every year after that Merle Squirrel stored his winter supply of acorns inside the scarecrow's head where the crows could not find them. 

---------------------------------------

Song to sing: “Shoo Scarecrow”

(To the tune of "Little Brown Jug.") 

(Children stand with arms out feet flat on the floor. Only body moves. They sway back and forth as they sing. At the end they throw their arms out and up as if shooing the crows.)  

Fly away crow with coat so black

Fly away crow and don’t come back,

I’m standing here so the corn can grow,

So fly away, fly Away, Fly away crow.

SHOOOOOOOOOOO

---

BOOK SUGGESTION:  To use with this story,
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

by Linda Williams, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

COLOR PAGE

Merle Squirrel
This can also be made into a movable picture. 
Cut out a pattern for the tail, two arms, two legs
and the acorn.
When pieces are colored or painted cut them out,
punch holes in where they would fit on the body
and fasten them to the body with barbs.  You need
three barbs. (Small bend over holders) Glue the
acorn to one of the hands.

 If you enjoy these free stories and activities tell your friends and fellow teachers. I will present a free story and activity each month.   M.C. Arvanitis.   

HURSHAL LOST

Clip Art link:
from FotoSearch.com

 FREE TO COPY

                                                               HURSHAL LOST

                                                                                 by

                                                                      M. C. Arvanitis

                                                                           

On their way home from vacation Anthony’s family stopped at

a motel for the night. Anthony hugged his teddy bear, Hurshal,

as he fell asleep in the motel bed. He was still asleep when Mom

carried him to the car early the next morning. He slept all the

way home.

"Wake up, we are home,” Mom called as they drove into their

driveway. Anthony was glad. Hurshal and he didn't like to ride

in cars for such a long time. He reached for Hurshal. His teddy

bear wasn't there. He looked on the floor -- No Hurshal!  

"I can't find Hurshal," he shouted.

“Oh he has to be here somewhere.” Dad looked all over in

the car. “But I don’t see him in the car anywhere.”

Anthony started to cry. Where was Hurshal? Mom took his

hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll find your bear. He’s probably

packed away in the luggage somewhere. We’ll look when we get

everything in the house.” But when all the suitcases and Anthony’s

back pack were emptied Hurshal was nowhere to be found.

Mom looked at Dad. "Honey, didn't you get Hurshal from

the motel?"

"I thought you picked him up,”  Dad answered.

Anthony shouted, "You left Hurshal at the motel?"

“Now calm down, I’ll call the hotel and see if they

found him.” When Dad clicked off his cell phone he smiled. “Good

news. The desk clerk said they found Hurshal and would mail

him home right away.” 

Anthony ran out to wait on the curb by the mailbox. Soon

Dad sat down beside him. "Hurshal won't be here for a couple

of days, you know. It takes time to mail a package somewhere."

"But Hurshal can't sleep without me,” Anthony sobbed.  

Daddy handed Anthony his new blue bear Grandma had given him

for Christmas. "Will this bear do until Hurshal gets home?"

"No!" Anthony threw the bear on the ground and stamped his

foot. "I want Hurshal."

"I'm sorry but you will have to do without Hurshal for a

couple of days,” Dad said.

That night Anthony couldn't sleep even when Mom rocked him.

"Let’s talk about Hurshal," Mom said. "What do you like about him?"

"I like the way he smells, and his raggedy ears and his

wrinkly nose."

Mom pulled Anthony’s nose and laughed, “Just like yours?”

She put Anthony into his bed and pulled the quilt up to his chin.

"Think happy thoughts about Hurshal and you'll be asleep before

you know it." Mom was right. Anthony thought of Hurshal and went

directly to sleep.

Two days later when the package came Anthony tore off the

paper. Under the paper was a shoebox. He was afraid to lift the

lid. What if it was someone else’s bear in the box?

"Open the box,” laughed Mom. Slowly Anthony lifted the lid. 

His bear looked up at him with his teddy bear smile. He hugged

Hurshal. "I'll never let you get lost again," he promised. And he

never did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** (Note from author: Hurshal is a true story that happened to my grandson when he was a preschooler.)

C 2011 by M.C. Arvanitis (If using this story please leave comment.)

This story is free and may be shared so long as author is given credit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOW TO MAKE A TEDDY BEAR

To make Hurshal, the teddy bear, cut out two bears shaped as in the example.  Use felt and let the child choose 

the color he or she wishes.  Glue on felt eyes, nose, and a strip of red yarn to make mouth.  You can add felt 

buttons also if child wishes.  When all is dried, place the pieces together, and glue around the edges of the 
neck, arms, body and legs. (don't glue above ears.) When dry punch holes around the edges and let child sew 
the bear together with yarn from bottom of ears, weaving the yarn  under and over. (save enough to go up 
over the ears and head.) Do not tie the yarn yet. Carefully stuff the bear with cotton pushing it into the arms 
and legs. Let the child decide if his/her bear is a fat bear with lots of cotton or a skinny bear with less cotton. 
When stuffed close the top of the bear, glue edges, and continue to sew, Tie the left over yarn into a neat bow 
at the top .. or if the child doesn't want a bow tie it tight and clip off the left over. You can also make a neck
bow by placing yarn or ribbon around its neck. Now have the child choose a name for the bear. The more 
choices the child has in making the bear, the more the bear will belong to him/her. Some of my students 
kept their bears until they were grown.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS

  

*Clip Art from Billybear4kids page

 FREE TO COPY

DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS

by

M.C. Arvanitis

Once there was an Ancient Land

Where dinosaur lived so nice

With their friends, the monkeys.

Their enemies were the mice.

The dinosaur were large and strong.

The mice were small and meek.

They were afraid of the dinosaur

and the dinosaurs thought them weak.

The land was getting colder

As each century passed them by.

The monkeys needed a warmer land

With a hot sun in the sky.

They felt the ice age coming nearer

They must leave this land, somehow.

So they invited the dinosaur

To go with them to the Here And Now.

"We must leave this place,"

They said, "and find another home.

We'll sail across the ocean, but

We don't want to go alone."

The dinosaur said, "We can not leave.

We're too large to travel far away.

Take the mice, they are so small

And they don't want to stay."

"Yes, take us with you," cried the mice,

"Please include us in your plan.

The dinosaur make too much noise

And we want to leave this land."

So the monkeys and the little mice

Sailed together across the sea

To find the land of Here And Now

Where they would always be.

They left the dinosaur behind

To live on the Ancient Shore.

That is why in the Here And Now

You won't find a dinosaur.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

C 2011 by M.C. Arvanitis (If using this story please leave comment)
This story is free and may be shared so long as author is given credit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copy picture below and give your child a box of Crayons and see what happens.