Buildings, construction workers, and tools brings out the actress in me! At the beginning of storytime, I like to pack a toolbelt with my students. I may have imaginary tools or a set of plastic tools (along with some non-tools), and we decide together what to pack. I usually make it silly - "Should I pack my stuffed animal in my toolbelt?" As students answer "yes" or "no," I ask them why I should include an item or how I could use it to build. My students never cease to amaze me with their creativity!

Buildings Booklist

Raise the Roof by Anastasia Suen: Prompt children to discuss the tools and use hand motions to simulate using tools.

Shapes in Buildings by Rebecca Rissman: Look for and describe shapes for the buildings on each page.

Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Stack the Cats by Susie Gharhremani

Music & Movement

"Construction Worker Song"

"Joanie Works with One Hammer"

Circle Activities

Rolling and Drawing: Use dice with shapes on the faces to roll different shapes and draw a building together.

Goals

P-LC 2. Children will show understanding in response to the content of a book read aloud.

P-MATH 9. Children will name and describe shapes regardless of size and orientation.

Bonus!

In this short video that Fitz and I produced for the Howard County Library System, we learn a fingerplay about different kinds of homes, and then I demonstrate the Rolling and Drawing Circle Activity listed above.