Flannel Friday - Blue Bird, Blue Bird

This week's entry is a set of props that I've discussed before in my storytime posts, but I never talked about its origins.

I got the idea for these props from Dr. Jim Thomas. At a seminar we held for area day care workers, Jim provided foam bird cut outs for the attendees. I was lucky enough to snag a set, and thought it would be great if, while singing the song, each baby had their own set to look at.

I traced the outline of Jim's set, scanned it into my computer, and printed them out on blue, red, green, and yellow paper, then laminated the paper. After they were cut out, each had a popsicle stick taped to the back to make it easy for the babies to hold on to.

Jim used the signs for each color, bird, and Mommy. I made my own little changes by changing Mommy to Daddy, Grandpa, and Grandma for the other three verses. 

The song "Red Bird" from Babies in the Library by Jane Marino (Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2003) also works with these props.

Blue Bird, Blue Bird

Blue bird, blue bird

On my window,

Blue bird, blue bird

On my window.

Blue bird, blue bird

On my window,

Oh, Mommy, I’m tired.

Use green, yellow, and red.

--Jim Thomas

My additions: change "Mommy" to a different family member each verse.

Sharon from Rain Makes Applesauce is hosting today's roundup as well as the What Flannel Friday Means to You event. Make sure you stop by and give her a big internet hug for putting so much work into the festivities.

Find us on Pinterest and on Facebook, and check back next week for the Flannel Friday birthday celebrations on Mel's Desk. This is where we'll be unveiling the Flannel Friday map!