Mr. Troll May I Cross Your Bridge?

This game is based vaguely on "Three Billy Goat's Gruff". The kids always love it!
It uses listening & creative skills, as well as taking turns and following

directions.

The kids line up at one side of the room, and I put out a "Bridge" in the middle of the room.

In the past I have used a low bench and held their hands for safety. This year I am going to construct something lower to the ground.

I tell them that they will have to ask the troll if they may cross the bridge.

Then we all sing (in a sing-song voice)

ALL: "Oh Mr. Troll, ---  may I cross your bridge?"

And I pick a child and say:

TEACHER: "You may cross my bridge if you ask me in a ___________ voice!"

(soft, loud, high, low, growly, happy, sad, robot, squeaky, whispering etc...)

And to help them understand, sometimes I demonstrate that voice, saying:

TEACHER: "May I cross your bridge?" in that kind of voice.

The child then asks:

CHILD: "May I cross your bridge?"

TEACHER: "Yes, you may!" 

After we have played the game once or twice, I usually don't need to demonstrate the voice types. The kids can also start to come up with their own funny voices.

Once they have crossed the bridge, they sit at the other end of the room while other children have a turn.

THE BRIDGE
For safety this year, I'm probably just going to use a board on the floor -- maybe with low pavers underneath if it is stable and won't flip up when stepped on.
No one got hurt in the past - this is just cautionary. Children's footwear fashions are tending towards stiff & chunky soles - not good for games requiring agility.

Apple Starts with "A", GREAT Phonics Song!

Just before storytime, I teach the kids one new letter of the alphabet, and we practice making its sound. Then we practice saying the names of the letters we have learned so far, and finally we sing The Learning Station's ABC Phonics song - just up to our new letter.
So far this year we are up to the letter K.

They are always so eager to move on to the next letter. This week they were so disappointed they could not sing the letter L for Lion until after Christmas!

The pace is lively enough to make it fun, but not too fast. The melody is super simple. I'm always impressed how much the kids enjoy singing this; they take learning their letters very seriously.

ABC Phonics 

by The Learning Station

Apple Starts with A,
ah - ah - apple,

Bear Starts with B,
b - b - bear, 

... and so it goes. So simple and effective.

Christmas 2015 ~ A Funny Jingle Bells, The Mitten in the Snow Song

Hi Sunshine Parents!

Here is a list of all our Christmas songs this year. I don't like to teach Christmas music all through November, so if you want to help your kids learn these songs I welcome the help.

Jingle Bells

This year we are not using the "Dashing through the snow" verse,
but are singing our special Sunshine verse instead:

A day or two ago, 

I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon my Sunshine Pals 
were seated by my side. 
Our horse was running fast, 
as fast as he could go,
He tripped over a snowball and we all fell in the snow! OH!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, HEY! 
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, HEY! 

The Mitten in the Snow Song

This simple song is sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell",
and goes through all the animals in Jan Brett's telling of "The Mitten".
If you have a copy of this book, you can sing the song as you tell the story.

The mitten in the snow
The mitten in the snow
Help us please so we won’t freeze!
The mitten in the snow.

A mole squeezes in
A mole squeezes in
Help us please so we won’t freeze!
A mole squeezes in


Then for then next SEVEN VERSES it goes through all the animals who join the mole in the mitten! (For the purpose of our program, we probably won't sing every verse!)

Rabbit
Hedgehog
Owl
Badger
Fox
Bear
Mouse

And finally:

The bear says, “A-choo!”
The bear says, “A-choo!”
All the animals fly out of
The mitten in the snow!

All the other songs...

These songs are described in last year's Christmas post (link)
Peppermint Stick
Up on the Housetop
Ring the Bells
Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer 

And...
Away in a Manger (first verse)
Ring those Bells and Turn Around
We Wish You a Merry Christmas

"Too Much Noise" and other dramatic participation stories

"The bed creaked. 

The floor squeaked."

And that is just the beginning of Peter's troubles.
I quickly go over the sounds to make: creak, squeak, swish, & hiss before launching into the story. (Hand motions are fun too)

The children won't have any trouble helping you with the animal sounds (encourage this).

And there is a lovely, quiet resolution.

"Ah. Oh,"..."How quiet my house is."

Caps For Sale


"Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!"

This classic story begs to be interpreted dramatically.

The children can call out the peddler's market banter.

Then when the peddler interacts with the monkeys, you can be the peddler, and the class can be the monkeys. This is so much fun.

BOTH of these stories feature an individual with a problem. As soon as it is obvious what the problem is, you can ask the kids how they would solve it.


More dramatic participation stories

I tell three from this one nearly every year.

To tell these stories, you'll want to memorize the basic idea, and then ad lib the actual telling.

Make it fun! When the prince goes riding to fight the wizard, make everyone bounce up & down as you call out silly obstacles  "He rode through the pizza forest!"

Over the years, my artsy daughters have created puppets to aid my storytelling, and the children love them, especially the beautiful Snow Queen.

I give the children a chance to pet my dragon puppet before I tell the story about the lazy dragon. See, not so scary.

The story about the Emperor invites exploration into all kinds of sounds: chimes, gongs, clocks, and all manner of bird songs. You could spend a whole class on this story.

And don't forget your favorite from summer camp: "Goin' on a Lion Hunt". Always works.

Connie Kaldor's Honey, Honey, Honey! A Song about a Bear and a Bee

This song NEVER fails to bring BIG smiles.

Honey, Honey, Honey by Connie Kaldor

Honey, Honey, Honey

A bear climbs a tree and makes a piece of toast.

He then demands ALL of the honey from a hard working bee.

What happens next?

The reason this song works so well is the simple chorus:

"HONEEEEEY! honey honey honey honey honey"

When I teach it to the kids, we learn this part first, throwing our hands wildly in the air with the first loud "HONEY!", and shaking them down with the five repeated honeys. They love it. We change the emotion of the chorus as the story progresses, and always over the top.

I also made magnets to tell the story: a bear, a piece of toast, a bee, and a jar of jam.

For copyright reasons, here is a link to the lyrics

AND, here is Connie's performance on Youtube!

Lyrics and Music by Connie Kaldor, available as a download through Amazon or other sources, but check out the whole album for other winning tunes.

Naughty Pussycat as a Game

The version of this little song I have used for years is different from the one I find all over the internet. This year I have changed mine a bit to make it even more fun. (see options below)

To use this song, (any version) as a game, choose one child to sit in the center of the circle. They will be the pussycat, and they will get to "Meeeeow" like a cat two times before they Scat! I praise them for their unique cat sounds.

Naughty Pussycat! (wag your finger)
       Child in center says "Meeeeow"
Messy kitty cat! (wag your finger)
       Child in center says "Meeeeow"
You have  (pizza, playdough, ice cream etc...) on your whiskers 
(fingers to cheeks, pull away showing whiskers)
Naughty Pussycat - SCAT! 
(toss your hands out with the word Scat)
Child in center scoots back to the circle, the next child becomes the cat.

The simple melody I use is
Sol Sol Mi Mi Sol,  
Sol Sol Mi Mi Sol, 
Sol Sol Mi Mi Sol Sol Mi Mi, 
Mi Mi Re Re Do

The kids love making suggestions for what could be on the cat's whiskers.

There is a popular version of this song all over the internet with these lyrics:

Naughty Pussycat
You are very fat
You have (butter, ice cream etc...) on your whiskers
Naughty Pussycat

... but I don't like calling anything fat, so I changed the lyrics

In past years I used a version of the song that went like this:

Naughty Pussycat
Go and catch a rat!
You have cobwebs on your whiskers
Naughty Pussycat - SCAT!

Standing Movement Songs: Dingle Dangle Scarecrow, Kye Kye Kule, and My Dog Rags

Here are three favorite songs with great movement opportunities. You can find SO many versions of the melodies and movements on the internet! I am listing some youtube versions as well as recordings I recommend.

Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Here's a cute video!

When all the cows were sleeping (pretend to sleep)

Dingle Dangle Scarecrow
Kathy Reid Naiman
 On Itunes

Lovely Acoustic Performance

And the sun had gone to bed
Up jumped the scarecrow (jump up)
And this is what he said!

CHORUS
I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow (arms & legs wiggle)
With a flippy floppy hat (head from side to side)
I can shake my hands like this
I can shake my feet like that.

When all the hens were roosting
And the moon behind the cloud
Up jumped the scarecrow
And shouted very loud.
(Chorus)

When all the pigs were snoring
And the stars were shining bright
Up jumped the scarecrow
And shouted with delight
(Chorus)

Kye Kye Kule 

This recording of
Kye Kye Kule
byMommyAmericana LLC
has slightly different lyrics,
but it is easy for young children.

This song from Ghana is widely used in grade school curriculum.
It's very similar to "Head and Shoulders", but with a fun call and response format and rhythm.
I LOVE the presentation and energy in this video.

Kye Kye Kule   hands on head

Kye ko-finsa    shoulders

Kofi sa langa     waist

Kaka shi langa   knees

Kum adende      ankles

Kum adende hey!  Touch ankles and jump up!

My Dog Rags

There are so many ways to interpret the motions for this song, and there are many melodies.

My Dog Rags
With Instrumental Version
To use as accompaniment!
Lynn Kleiner
Same as heard in the video clip.

I especially like the motions in this video.

I have a dog.
His name is Rags.
He eats so much that his tummy sags, (hands show big tummy)
His ears flip flop (wave hands by ears)
and his tail wig wags. (either swing hips or hands wig wag)
And when he walks, he goes zig zag. (whole body zig zags like a skiing motion OR cross arms like in video)

He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
I love Rags and he loves me.

My dog Rags, he loves to play.
He rolls around in the mud all day. (roll hands)
I whistle. (whistle)
He won't obey.  (shake finger)
He always runs the other way. (throw thumb over shoulder)

He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
He goes flip flop, wig wag, zig zag.
I love Rags and he loves me.

Drums for a Pirate Band and The Silly Pirate Song

Pirate Drums 

I was inspired by Miss Marilee's Music post on Drumming, especially the gorgeous drums she made out of recycled buckets.  I found some wonderful buckets with rope handles at the dollar store that had a good sound quality.

One important thing about these bucket drums was that they had smooth bottoms, so they had a good surface for hand drumming. Inspect them all though -- some had a sharp point that needed filing down.

After warming up with "My Favorite Drum", we used our "Red" and "Purple" rhythms.
I started the kids by chanting:
Red, Red, Red, Red 
and we kept that steady beat. While they kept playing, I played a simple tune on the piano that had a heavy 4/4 quarter note rhythm.

Then I switched them to
Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple
And kept a steady 4/4 eighth note accompaniment using strong repeated open fifths in the left hand, a simple melody in the right hand.

One little boy got so excited he jumped up when it was over and begged to do it all again. "It was so beautiful, when we were playing the drums and you were playing the piano; I almost cried!"

For our Pirate Program I played (on the piano) 16 measures of "The Legend of the Croc" from Peter Pan for the quarter note rhythm, and "What do you do with a Drunken Sailor" (I called it a Silly Sailor) for the eighth note rhythm.

I'm hoping to use drums for every new theme Teacher Teri comes up with!

The Silly Pirate Song by Jack Hartmann

Much like the popular camp song "Once an Austrian Went Yodeling", the pirate is interrupted by a surfer, then a shark, then a helicopter, and on it goes.

This song was very exciting for the kids, and they wanted to learn ALL the verses for this sequencing song! That was a bit much for our program, so we just did a few.

Here is a fun youtube version of the song. Plenty of good motion ideas.

You can also find youtube performances by preschool and kindergarten classes if you need more teaching ideas.

And also VERY helpful, here is a link to powerpoint illustrations from Kellyskindergarten.com to use for teaching the song.

If You're a Pirate and You Know It

So easy, just make up verses and sing to the tune "If You're Happy and You Know It".

Shout "Ahoy!"
Say "Arhhhh!"
Dance a jig
Wave your hook -- swish swish
Raise the sail -- Heave Ho!
Row your boat -- or whatever else you imagine for your pirates

Need more Pirate ideas? See my "Over the Sea" post!

Old Brass Wagon and Move the Circle

These easy dance songs challenge the kids to listen and follow directions.

Old Brass Wagon by Sally's Music Circle

Old Brass Wagon 
is an old favorite of course.

I recommend this recording because it's a wonderful acoustic performance, and the directions are easy for young children to follow.

To introduce this dance, I walk the children through all the movements first, before playing the recording.

• Holding hands, we circle right. At the end of eight counts I call out "Go the other way!" to prepare the kids for the change in direction.
• Then we circle left.
• Interlude (see note)
• Jumpin' up and down! 
• When the caller sings "swing your partner" I just have the kids spin in place, but when we dance this with the Moms I encourage the Moms to swing with their child.
• Interlude (see note)
• Everybody in - this is called three times, so I teach the children by saying "one step in, one step in, LAST step in!" and on the last step we raise our hands. 
• Everybody out -- also called three times, so I teach them saying "one step back, one step back, LAST step back!
• Instrumental end (see notes)

Interlude: The two 8 bar instrumental sections are a good time to come up with your own choreography. I came up with a simple clapping rhythm. 

LAP, LAP (pat your legs two times)

CLAP, CLAP 

simply repeat this three more times. 

Some kids will find this tricky, but I encourage them by telling them it doesn't matter if they get off, just keep going, it's all good!

Instrumental end: 

LAP, LAP, CLAP -- YEE HAW!

Move the Circle by Tumble Tots

Move the Circle
is not a square dance melody, but the motions are almost exactly the same. The caller gives good, clear directions in a tempo that is perfect for young children, using the words
"Stop!  ---  Listen!"
to help them understand something new is coming up.
Teach this one first, and Old Brass Wagon will be even easier for the kids to learn.

Here are the simple movements:
Move the circle 
Stop, go the other way
Move the circle
Clap your hands
Shake your hands
Move the circle 
Stop, go the other way
Move the circle
Jump!
Bend!
Walk to the center with hands up high
Walk back out with hands down low
Take a bow

Skip to My Lou as a Welcome Song and Story Time

I learned  this from another music teacher, and it's always been a favorite. If you want to add a manners lesson to this song, teach them how to shake hands.

If a child does not know how to skip, I encourage them that it's OK to just run and hop. They will figure something out.

I also found a cute picture book that tells a story using the melody & chorus. Very engaging!

Extend your hand to a child, singing to the verse tune:

"Good Morning Taylor, how are you?" 
Grasp their hand in greeting and help them rise to standing.
Go to the next child and repeat the actions
"Good Morning Jesse, how are you?"
And a third child...
"Good Morning Casey, how are you?" 
"Skip to my Lou my Darlin' "
Now the three children you have helped stand up follow you skipping outside the circle as you sing the chorus:
"Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou,
"Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou,
"Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou my Darlin' "

Those three sit back down. Repeat for the next three children. If there are two kids at the last turn that works just fine, but if there is only going to be one I end with a group of four.

When everyone has had a turn, I sing:
"Good Morning Sunshine, how are you?
Everybody stand up with me too,
Let's ALL skip around the room!
Skip to my Lou my Darlin' "

We all skip to the chorus, and I finish by singing
"Everybody can sit back down"

And for storytime ~

Skip to My Lou by Nadine Bernard Westcott, a Scholastic book, available through book sellers online.

The kids love the crazy pictures as the animals come in the house and make a big mess! Hurry quick! Mom and Dad are coming home! Skip to my Lou my Darlin'. You can sing the whole book, as it follows the song structure.

Over the Sea, Sailors and Pirates -- Whole Body Movement

"Going Over the Sea" and "Over the Deep Blue Sea" have different melodies, but the lyrics are nearly identical. I liked them both so much that we did one the first half of the year, and learned the next one for our Pirate Party in May.

The kids loved both of them.

Going Over the Sea

Here is a link to a youtube video of this recording by Goin' Monkey.

There are many recordings of this on Itunes, but I chose this one because it has a gentle tempo, it's a playful acoustic performance and the brief interludes between verses allow time to remind the kids what number comes next. Just perfect!

We started with just a few numbers and gradually worked our way up to seven. This was enough for us.

Here are the motions we chose for this song:

Start each verse with the correct number of fingers

When I was one, I ate a bun, (act out)
Going over the sea. (one arm moves up and down like waves)
I jumped aboard a sailorman's ship, (jump)
And the sailorman said to me, 
(bend knees like a bowlegged sailor, thumbs up by waist, elbows out, arms swinging side to side)

Chorus
"Going over, going under, (arms reach up, arms reach down)
stand at attention, like a soldier, (salute at attention) 
With a one, two, three." (still at attention, stomp three times)

Verses 2-10
When I was two, I buckled my shoe, going over the sea...
When I was three, I banged my knee, going over the sea...
When I was four, I shut the door, going over the sea...
When I was five, I learned to dive, going over the sea...
When I was six, I picked up sticks, going over the sea...
When I was seven, I went to heaven, going over the sea...
When I was eight, I learned to skate, going over the sea...
When I was nine, I climbed a vine, going over the sea...
When I was ten, I caught a hen, going over the sea...

Over the Deep Blue Sea (Pirate Ship)

Here is a link to a youtube video of this song in live performance by Susan Salidor


This one is a little fast, but very fun.
The motions in the verse are similar, although some of the number rhymes are different.
In the chorus we sing:

He said "Go this way, that way, (arms stretch out to one side, then the other)
Forward, Backward (arms stretch forward, pull backward)
And Over the Deep Blue Sea!" (reach high and low like cresting a wave)

Rain, Rain, Go Away Welcome Song

I have a large (5 foot), beautiful sounding rainstick, a miniature (14") rainstick, and a pair of thick drinking glasses for this welcome song/activity.

If you don't have a rainstick, the internet is full of DIY craft instructions for recycling paper tubes into rainsticks.

INTRODUCE THE RAINSTICK

It's so fun to ask the kids what they think it is, what a good name for it might be, what it is made of.

Then produce the sound, and ask them what it sounds like. You will get many answers. Mostly they will want to start guessing what is inside. Since I don't know what is in mine, it is fun to keep it a mystery.

Ask them: "Could it be marshmallows?"
They will say "NO!"
"Could it be feathers?" "Why not?"

They understand so much about acoustical properties already.

Each child now gets a turn to tip the rainstick. They discover that lifting it slowly produces softer sounds, lifting it quickly makes louder sounds, and some will shake it.

While they have their turn, we sing:

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
(Child's Name) wants to play
Rain, rain go away

Week one I use the large rainstick, then for another week or two I use the little one which is easier to pass around the circle.

INTRODUCE THE WATER GLASSES

For the last week of using this welcome song, I bring two thick water glasses or jars from home that I know will give me the first two tones of the song (Sol Mi). Usually I have to tune one or both by adding a little water for the perfect pitch.

First, I preach a little to them about asking their parents before banging on their glasses at home! I show them mine are very thick and not likely to break.

Then using a spoon or a triangle beater I demonstrate playing the water glasses to our tune, but I only use the first two lines this time.

 sol       mi     sol    sol     mi       sol      sol    mi     x    sol    sol     mi
Rain,  rain,   go     a-    way    Come   a-   gain   a-   no-  ther   day

Each child then gets a turn playing the water glassses. I help them just a little if they need it. Some get very excited and want to sing the whole song. That's OK too!

Count to ten with "Once I Caught a Fish Alive"

Everyone loves the "Fishy Song"

This is one of my favorite settling songs for storytime, 

but it is also a great song for counting to ten.

You can find many melody variations online. Here are my hand motions.

I prepare the kids by having them hold their hands out in front, fingers in their palms.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

(count out first five fingers)

Once I caught a fish alive

(scoop out to "catch fish" and then wave imaginary catch 

between fingers & thumb)

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

But I let him go again!

(Throw both hands out like tossing something, then 

vigorously swipe hands in rhythm to "go again")

Why did you let him go?

(Sounding impatient)

Because he bit my finger so!

(a little crying sound in the voice)

Which finger did he bite?

(Sounding concerned)

The little finger on the right.

The Seven Song

This Old Man took us up to number six, and could have gone all the way to 10, but then I found

"Seven Steps"

Here is a link to the video on youtube from "Super Simple Songs"

So simple. Maybe that's why the kids LOVED it!

What I loved about this is we count forward twice, and then we count backwards from seven twice.

But I don't have magic numbers lighting up over my head as they do in the video, so I made magnet numbers.
My magnet board was too small, so in a pinch I used the back of a jelly roll pan. Next year I hope to make a larger magnet board for my letters and numbers songs.

I point to the numbers as we sing.

Once we mastered the Seven Song, I added a number 8 -- it works with the tune just fine. We did it like a little mouse squeak just for fun!

Cut out star taped to yellow paper with packing tape
(DIY  laminating)
Cut this out and glue magnet to back.

My Basic Lesson Plan

When I first started teaching, I thought I had to make each lesson very different in order to keep the children's attention. Thankfully, I finally realized that children need repetition as well as novelty. After all, the everyday world is still full of mystery to a four year old.

They are much happier and ready to learn if they know what to expect!

So here it is, my basic lesson plan for a 35-45 minute class.

Welcome Song (sitting)

Easy Song (Fingerplay)

Fun Song #1 (Usually a number song)

Fun Song #2 (Usually a seasonal or theme of the month song)

Transition to Movement Song (Same every week, goes from sitting to standing)

Circle Activity Song (Same every week)

Optional: Standing Song (Song with body movements)

Action Song or Dance to recording (gets us a little winded — wide range of motion)

Move to Storytime Position (Quickly as possible, same place every week)

Storytime Readiness Song (sitting, easy fingerplay to settle in)

Learning Skills Song (teaching phonics or colors/shapes song)

Storytime (incorporates a song or sound effects, or uses rhythm, or is about music)

Transition to Standing Song (Quick!)

Action Song, Dance or Musical Game (Moving to music, Using imaginations)

Focused Activity (sitting, maybe playing instruments or a listening game)

Transition to Standing Song (Quick!)

Musical Game

...and  if there is still time left
REALLY FUN activity — if needed (always have a few ready to go…..)

Reading Red Rhythms! and purple too

This year's Sunshine class has been very excited about learning to read rhythms.

Every year this is a favorite activity for many kids. I love seeing their eyes light up as they start to "get it" and fall in love with making new rhythm patterns to clap.

Here's my simple strategy -- borrowed and modified from where? I'd love it if someone told me where I got this idea.

I drew some red quarter notes and double purple eighth notes on 3x5 index cards. My cards are getting so old! It's time to make some new ones.

First I show the kids a single red quarter note, and ask them what they see. Of course it's red. We also see it has a round part -- a head, and a long line -- a stem.

I tell them we will call it "red" like its color, and when I point to it, we will all say "RED".

Then they learn that when I point to the note, we will say "RED" AND clap one time.

Next I line up four red notes. We practice saying the name first: 

           RED                       RED                       RED                      RED

Now clapping hands ready! We clap and say RED for each note.
So GOOD!
Ready for something more?


I show them the eighth note pair on a single card. What is different?
It is purple. Good! What else? This will take a little time, but we discover it has two heads!
Would you like to have two heads? 

I teach them to say PUR-PLE when I point to the note. I point to each note head.

We then learn to clap for each note head (syllable), so we clap two times. PUR-PLE

Now there are four cards of purple notes. We say them first.
Then we clap them.

          PUR-PLE          PUR-PLE           PUR-PLE           PUR-PLE

Ready for something more?

I line up the four red cards, and under them the four purple cards. We say them first, going left to right, top line to bottom line. (Reading readiness)

Now, clapping hands ready! We say and clap both lines.

           RED                     RED                   RED               RED
           PUR-PLE        PUR-PLE         PUR-PLE       PUR-PLE

Ready for something more? (Yes, they are!)









Rearrange the cards to create a very simple mixed rhythm. Say it first, Then clap and say.

               RED                 RED                    PUR-PLE             PUR-PLE 

I try not to go too long with this activity at any one time, because one or two children may not ready for this, and they get very frustrated or bored. The ones who understand will get enthusiastic and want to grab the cards to start creating patterns. Next time! They are so full of great ideas.

Transition: 
Now stand up and stomp our last rhythm!
RED  RED  PUR-PLE  PUR-PLE 
RED  RED  PUR-PLE  PUR-PLE

Follow up:

Lately I have been inserting our rhythm cards briefly before storytime. I "warm up" the kids by doing our 4 reds & 4 purples, and then choose one child to create a mixed pattern. I'm keeping track, so everyone will eventually have a turn. We always say it first, then clap it together.

Our Favorite Dad's Night Song "I'm Gonna Wrap Myself in Paper"...

Mail Myself to You

This is just the best Dad's Night song I have ever found. Thanks Woody Guthrie!

Partly because it's just SO FUN.

And also because just before Dad's Night the kids make valentines and visit the post office, so it just works.

I will share our hand motions. Here is a link to the lyrics.

Chorus:
"wrap" swing alternating hands across body "wrapping" ourselves up.
"daub with glue" one hand "daubs" shoulders, side to side
"stamps on my head" one hand, palm up, sweeps up and plants palm down on head.
"to you" big motion whole arm, point finger to someone

Verse 2 (I skip verse 1, but it's good too)
"mailbox" shade eyes to look in mailbox
"Cut" fingers make scissors motion "let me out" hands move apart, fingers extended
"Wash"  rub fingers in washing motion
"bubble gum" point to open mouth

Repeat Chorus:

Verse 3
"Take me out" jump, moving hands away from body
"Wash" Rub top of head
"Pour" tip head back, pour motion with hand
"bed" sleep hands under head

This year we have had a lot of kids out with colds and other bugs, so I have asked Teacher Teri to play a recording of the song during the week to help the kids learn it in time. I found a very nice version on Itunes by "Russ"; it is not too fast, and it's in a good key.

Here is a link to it on CD Baby.

Note to Sunshine Parents: If you buy this song, I do not use the first verse in school -- I only use verses 2 and 3. They are all fun to sing, I just like to keep things simple.

Hickory Dickory Dock 1-2-3-4

Make a clock pendulum by clasping your hands together, arms extended out in front, and swing them from side to side.

"TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK"

get everyone in rhythm, keep the arms going

and then sing...

Hickory Dickory Dock

The mouse ran up the clock (fingers run up from waist to the top of your head)

The clock struck ONE! (hold up one finger) 

DONG!

The mouse ran down (fingers run down)

Hickory Dickory Dock TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK (back to pendulum)

other verses:

The clock struck TWO
The mouse said BOO!

The clock struck THREE
The mouse said WHEE!

The clock struck FOUR
The mousie snored.

Make sure the clock chimes the correct number of times for each verse.

Here is a nice melody for this nursery rhyme; the lyrics are different, but also fun!

Hickory Dickory Dock | Super Simple Songs

I added a verse each week as I introduced the next number. By the time we got to number five, it was time to start the Halloween "Knock Knock" fingerplay.

Introducing Numbers

Every year I pledge I'm going to get organized about teaching number songs.

This year it's finally coming together!

After our initial welcome song and fingerplay, I have added a brief number activity. It consists of introducing a number, counting out that number on our fingers, sometimes more than one way, and then following up with a number song. The kids have really enjoyed this activity.

For example, here is the page for number 6. After we practiced number six, we sang "This Old Man" up to number six. In the next post I'll describe another fun number song.

6

Hold up 6 fingers

1-2-3-4-5-6

Now hold up three fingers on each hand.

1-2-3-4-5-6

Clap six times

1-2-3-4-5-6

Pat six times

1-2-3-4-5-6

Are You Sleeping? Triangle Welcome Song

I hold a triangle in my hand and ask the kids what it is. Of course it's a triangle! They are so smart.

Then I ask them how to play it. They have good ideas. I produce the beater and make some sounds, and they all agree this is correct.

Then I ask them what would happen if I hold it this way? I grasp it in my hand instead of by the string. They have theories. I play it now, and they are amazed at the difference in the sound. 

Now I ask the child on my right to pretend to sleep while I sing the folksong, but use the child's name instead of "Brother John":

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping

(Child's Name --- Child's Name)

Then I play the triangle gently as I sing

Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing

Ding Ding Dong! Ding Ding Dong!

They almost always know to wake up when the triangle rings, but sometimes I need to instruct this. They soon get the idea.

Now I pass the triangle to the child who pretended to be asleep, and the child to the right of him/her "goes to sleep". I try to make sure the child does not ring the triangle until "Morning Bells are Ringing". 

Everyone gets a turn at being the sleeper and the ringer. 

The last child to get the triangle gets to wake up the whole class. 

A Mouse Game

This one is always a favorite.

The children sit in a circle with some space between them.

One child (mouse) goes in the middle.
Sing the first verse to the tune of "Skip to My Lou".
The child in the middle crawls around "eating" cheese out of the outstretched hands of the other children. They love this.

Mouse in a hole looking for cheese. 
Mouse in a hole looking for cheese. 
Mouse in a hole looking for cheese. 
Watching for the tom cat. 

Now choose a child to be the cat.
Both children stand up and the mouse trots around the outside of the circle.
The cat follows behind, but for safety's sake I can't allow anyone to get tagged. (Our floor is a bit hard)

Cat after mouse, in and out. 
Cat after mouse, in and out, 
Cat after mouse, in and out. 
Mouse runs in the mouse hole.

At the last line, the mouse runs between two of the seated children and sits back down. Now the "cat" can take the center and have a turn as a mouse. Everyone gets a turn to be the mouse and the cat.


I would like to give credit to the source, but can't remember where I found this little game.