Sing-alongs help get children's attention and involve them in the story. The lyrics to the song are fairly simple and somewhat repetitive, so kids can join in with little prep work. Incorporate motions into the song. Little ones can wave their arms back and forth like the windshield wipers, or jump up and duck down again during the verse, "The people on the bus go up and down." Try changing the lyrics to suit the audience; for example, replace "All around the town" with the name of the school or location where storytime is being held.
Children can construct their own arts-and-crafts bus from egg carton lids using yellow paint and construction paper. Simply color the egg carton lid yellow and glue on brown construction paper circles for wheels. Kids can then decorate their buses, adding magazine cutout people in the windows.
Games are fun, and savvy teachers can work in important information. "Red Light, Green Light" has one student acting as the traffic signal while the others race to see who can reach the signal first. Children can only move while the signal's back is to the group, which is green light. When the signal turns around, it is red light, and everyone must stop; students who move during red light are eliminated. This is a good time to discuss street-crossing procedure. Musical chairs can be incorporated into the sing-along portion of storytime.
For teachers who wish to read another book, Caldecott winner Donald Crews' "School Bus" is an illustration-heavy story that explores the shapes and sizes inside the bus. "Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus," by Mo Willems, follows a silly bird in his quest to drive.