This program is absolute insanity, in the best way possible. We push all the chairs and tables against the wall and open up our giant program room into one big dance floor for a preschool dance party of epic proportions! I found myself using "calm down" chants two or three times, especially after collecting the egg shakers. Also, I did not use my traditional hello and goodbye today, because there were lots and lots and LOTS of wiggles in the room. I felt it was best to keep everyone moving at all times, so that's what we did!
Below are all the songs I used today, in the order I used them. "The Goldfish" by Laurie Berkner acted as our goodbye song, because transitioning straight from that to bubbles seemed like the best way to structure the end of class. Most of the songs have movements built into the lyrics, except two of the shaker songs--the movement was free shaker play. I have found that musical instruments are a great tool to play music you wouldn't otherwise use during storytime, because it might not have explicit movements to go with it or it might be a little longer. This way, you and the kids can still enjoy these songs, and they will be occupied by their shakers or other instruments at the same time.
After our usual introduction, we clapped the syllables of individual children's names using the "Heckity Peckity" chant.
Heckity peckity bumblebee,
Won't you say your name for me?
Bzzzzz (Bee buzzes up to a child and asks their name. Let's say it's Harold.)
Everyone say Harold. (Group says name)
Can we whisper it? (whisper the name)
Can we do it on our legs? (Repeat name and pat thighs with each syllable)
Can we clap it? (Repeat name and clap with each syllable)
Now let's turn off our voice (Do a clicking motion with hand on throat and make clicking sound)
And let's just clap it (Group claps the syllables without speaking)
How many claps was that? (Group answers)
Harold's name is two claps! Who is next?
Our movement song today was "Bop 'til You Drop" by Greg and Steve. Here are some funny tweens dancing to it:
Then we did our "Little Clapping Mouse" clapping rhyme. I like to have the words written out on the white board so that grownups, and any of the kids who know how to read, can follow along with me the first time I chant it. I do this one at least twice, and usually all the kids catch on to the words and when to clap (each asterisk is a clap below) by the second time through.
Behind the tree * *
And under the house * *
There lives a teeny * *
Tiny mouse * *
She loves to sing * *
She loves to tap * *
But most of all * *
She loves to clap * *
She claps all night * *
She claps all day * *
She claps to frighten * *
The cat away! * * * * * * * *
And here is a video of the chant, courtesy of Jbrary.
Next it was time for instruments! I used egg shakers again, which are great little maraca-like instruments perfect for little hands to hold onto.
After passing them out and giving the kids a minute or two to shake on their own, we did an a capella rhyme in the vein of "1 2 Buckle My Shoe."
1, 2, shake it on your shoe
3, 4, shake it on the floor
5, 6, stir and mix
7, 8, hold it up straight
9, 10, wave to your friend
This rhyme gives them a chance to see everything you can do with the shakers besides simply shake them. You can mime a lot of different activities like stirring with a bowl and spoon or waving to a friend with a shaker in your hand, and it makes a different rhythm with every movement.
We listened to two recorded songs while dancing with our shakers. First was everyone's favorite egg shaker song, "I Know a Chicken" by Laurie Berkner. Then I played Raffi's "Shake my Sillies Out," because Raffi is the god of children's music and everyone knows it.
I got all my egg shakers back in a somewhat orderly fashion, and then we sang our goodbye song and had bubbles. Click here for my rhythm and music storytime closers.
