Supporting Early Childhood Education in Fiji

A friend of mine runs a charity called EduFiji Kidz, ( http://www.edufijikidz.com/ ) which aims to support early childhood education in Fiji.  She asked if I would be able to make some of my pipecleaner figures for some of the centres in Fiji, as while a team of us had been busy creating teacher resources for centres in Fiji, she had had another 10 centres in Fiji who wanted to come aboard with what she was doing.  So I put on my thinking hat and decided to make story telling characters.  I did the characters for the story of Hansel and Gretel - father, stepmother, boy, girl and a witch.  However, these are basic characters and can be used to tell many other stories. I haven't put expressions on their faces for that reason.  

Creating the stepmother. Once you have put the basic pipecleaner figure together, you dress them.  The dress is made from a rectangle of felt, folded in half with a small hole in the middle for the head.  Then you wrap thread around the middle of the body, to hold the dress together.

A collection of fathers, stepmothers, Hansels and Gretels in the process of being made.

One story set: witch, stepmother, father, Gretel, and Hansel.

Four sets of storytelling characters ready to go to Fiji and immerse the children and teachers in the wonderful world of storytelling!

Close up of a witch. I didn't have time to embellish witches with sequins (that would have taken too long), but I found some old tubes of fabric glitter glue, which I used to decorate the witches hats and capes with.

Close up of one Gretel with plaited hair.

Close-up of another Gretel, slightly different.  I have cut her dress to give the feel of raggedy clothing, as they were a poor family and did not have much money (which was why the stepmother wanted the father to take the children out into the forest and kill them. What a terrible stepmother.).  

Click on the link for more of my teaching resources

Christmas games and resources

I have been busy making a variety of games for children to play that have a Christmas theme.  Games that encourage number recognition, 1-1 counting, and resources to provoke their own creativity.  I like the idea of having a range of resources that can be brought out year after year.  It makes the effort that goes into making them more than worthwhile.

Transient Art with Loose Parts

This idea came from Rachel's Stimulating Learning With Rachel blog.  I cut these Christmas trees out of foam, and cut the scrap leftover bits up into circles for decorations.  You could also add buttons, small shells, beaded garlands and beads to decorate.  These could be used with a dice, where children roll the dice and put that many decorations on the tree, or used as transient art, where children are free to decorate the tree as they please.

Decorate The Tree Game

Christmas trees with numbered baubles on.  Children roll the dice, and place a counter on the bauble with that number on it.  Game continues until tree has been filled. Some numbers appear twice (they are numbered 1-6, but there are 10 baubles on the tree). Children only cover up one number at a time.  I got the idea after seeing a number game using pumpkins on Stimulating Learning with Rachel's blog, and made these Chrismas Trees using scrapbooking paper. Then a week later, I saw that she also had a number Christmas Tree game!

Get Santa To The Stocking

Again, using ideas from Stimulating Learning With Rachel.  A simple game. Place counter on the Santa, roll the dice and move your counter along the path to get to the stocking.  I used scrapbooking paper and coloured paper to make it.

Board Game

Some of my scrapbooking paper had numbered squares on it - perfect for creating a board game! Place your counter on number 1, roll the dice and move around the board until you get to the present at the end!

Collage and Cut and Paste

I keep old Christmas cards and collect them up.  Great for cut and paste activities.

Board Game

Another adaption of the Santa and Stocking game above. As Christmas is during summer here, I wanted a relevant game - and this can be used throughout summer, not just over Christmas.  Place your counter on the smiley face, roll the dice, and move your counter along the path to the icecream. I used coloured paper to create my icecreams.

Reversible Games

I am quite a thrifty person, saving bits and pieces, as well as trying to be economical with laminating sheets. Making reversible games is an economical use of paper, card and laminating sheets.

Fill The Stocking

Christmas Stocking game.  Throw the dice, and put that many presents on the stocking.  I made the stockings using coloured card.  The presents were made from cutting up left-over strips of laminated paper after making resources, and drawing a ribbon on them with permanent marker.  I also had some scrapbooking paper with presents on, so cut them out as well.

Follow The Path To The Present

On the other side of the above stockings, I made a path game.  I used a heart shaped craft punch to make the hearts (much easier than tracing around counters and cutting out little circles) to make the path. Place your counter on the start (the orange heart), throw the dice and move along the path to get to the present.

Literacy Game

I find it can be a challenge to come up with literacy games that encourage letter recognition. Most board games involve counting and numbers, rather than the alphabet. The following two games are made from 2 sheets of scrapbooking paper glued together to create a double sided game.  The blue counters are cut out from foam sheets - so you don't have to cut and laminate fiddly little circles and are durable and easy for little hands to handle. The foam is easy to cut and easy to draw/write on. I had thought of using bottle caps as counters, but they were too big to fit the words on the shapes.

Alphabet Matching Game / Memory Game / Bingo

Each shape has a 4 letter Christmas-themed word on it. You can play this three ways: 

1 - Matching Game: Put the letters face up, and try to match the letters up to the word on your shape. 2 - Memory Game: Turn the letters face-down.  Players take it in turns to flip over a letter.  If the letter matches one on their word, they keep it. If it doesn't it gets turned back over ready for the next player's turn. 

3 - Bingo: Each player gets a word card. Teacher has all the letters. Players can have plastic counters for placing over their letters. Transparent counters would be perfect. Bottle caps and gambling chips work well too. Teacher turns over a letter. If a child has that letter on their word, they cover it up. First person to cover their whole word shouts BINGO! Play continues until all children have covered up their word.

Number Matching Game

On the reverse of the shapes are numbers 1-6. Children throw the dice and put the counter on the corresponding number.  This differs from the Christmas Tree above in that the tree game has 10 numbers on it, and this one is just simply 1-6.

Carrots For Rudolf

This is a game for 1-6 players.
Each player gets a Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer.
The smaller cards have dots on one side, and carrots on the other.
Place the cards with the carrots face down, so the dots are facing up.
Players take it in turns to throw the dice, and find a card with the matching number of dots.
Player then turns their card over to see how many carrots they have got to feed Rudolf.
Play continues until no more cards are left. Players count how many carrots they have got in total.

I made this game on mat board - we are lucky enough at our centre to have a picture framers nearby who regularly give us bags of matboard offcuts.  Matboard is thick, heavy and durable, and easily cut on the guillotine. Matboard is also lovely to draw on. I created a cardboard template for Rudolf, so that I could replicate him easily x 6.  The carrots vary in number from 0 - 5, and the dots are from 1 - 6, to match the dots on the dice. I used sharpie pens and felt tips to colour with.  I made this game in one evening. All these games are pretty quick to make, once you have the ideas.  

Memory Game

A simple game made using card, iceblock craft sticks, and patterned paper. Turn the christmas trees face down, and children take turns to turn over two trees to try to find a matching pair, To make, I sandwiched the iceblock sticks in-between two cardboard triangles, and pasted a patterned triangle on one side. These are not laminated. I used double sided tape to stick things together.

Click on the link for more of my teaching resources

Christmas Songs

Here are some of the Christmas songs I do each year with the kids, I have done them with 3 1/2 up to 5-6 year olds.

I used to work in a centre where almost all of our children were from Africa, Asia, India, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands.  So I re-wrote The 12 Days of Christmas song to reflect the many different cultures in our centre, and we performed it at our end of year Christmas Show.  I did this with 5 year olds.

12 Days of Christmas (multicultural version)

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A pukeko in a punga tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
8 poi a swinging, 7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
9 lavalavas, 8 poi a swinging, 7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
10 pairs of chopsticks, 9 lavalavas, 8 poi a swinging 7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
11 fans a fanning, 10 pairs of chopsticks, 9 lavalavas, 8 poi a swinging, 7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
12 rugby players, 11 fans a fanning, 10 pairs of chopsticks, 9 lavalavas, 8 poi a swinging, 7 drummers drumming, 6 pineapples, 5 gold bangles, 4 Chinese dragons, 3 peacocks prancing, 2 tapa cloths, and a pukeko in a punga tree.


5 Christmas Puddings
Tune of 5 Little Cupcakes in a Bakers Shop

5 Christmas puddings in a bakers shop
Round and fat with a cherry on the top
Along came (child's name) with a dollar one day
He bought a Christmas pudding and he ate it right away.

4 Christmas puddings...
3 Christmas puddings...
2 Christmas puddings...
1 Christmas pudding...


Pop, Bang, Crack
(To the tune of In and Out of The Dusky Bluebells)
 
Pop, bang, crack
goes the Christmas cracker
Pop, bang, crack
goes the Christmas cracker
Pop, bang, crack
goes the Christmas cracker
When you pull it open
BANG!


A Red, Red, Coat
(To the tune of The Hokey Pokey)
 
He wears a red, red coat
and a red, red hat
His boots are black
and he carries a sack.
He's got a twinkle in his eye
and a friendly smile
and his name is Santa Claus.
And his name is Santa Claus.

Click on the link for more of my teaching resources

Te Reo Maori Songs

This is a collection of Te Reo Maori waiata that I sing with my 4-5 year olds at school.
You can find action songs for young children suitable for mat times and group times (and play times!) in the link;
and here is a range of counting songs, also suitable for mat times, group times, and any times!  You can also find some fun games for mat times and group times here; and finally, when it's time to wash our hands, click on the link for a variety of songs for transition times.

Please excuse my lack of use of macrons above certain vowels - I can't find where to change the font to be able to use them. Instead I have extended the vowels, so 'to' becomes 'too' (not to be confused with the pronounciation of the English word 'too'), and rapeti becomes raapeti.  The double vowel means you extend the pronunciation of the vowel sound.


Tena Koe

Tena koe, hello to one
Tena korua, hello to two
Tena koutou, hello to all
Haere, haere mai
Welcome everyone


Titiro Mai

Titiro mai means look at me
Whakarongo mai means listen to me
Korero mai means speak to me
Look, listen, and speak to me.


Te Aroha

Te aroha                               (love)
Te whakapono                      (truth)    
Me te rangimaarie                (and peace)
Tatou, tatou e                      (unite us all)



E Tu, E Tu
I learnt this song from a passionate Maori teacher I had the fortune of working with; I think she wrote this song.

E tu, e tu, e noho e
E tu, e tu, e noho e
E tu, e tu, e noho e
Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!
Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!
 E tu - Stand up; E noho - sit down
Count 1 - 5 on fingers

Hope, hope, huri huri e
Hope, hope, huri huri e
Hope, hope, huri huri e
Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!
Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!

Hope - swing hips side to side; huri - turn around

Count 1 - 5 on fingers

E haka, e haka, waiata e

E haka, e haka, waiata e

E haka, e haka, waiata e

Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!

Tahi, rua, toru, wha, e rima e!

E haka - stamp foot and pat thighs; waiata - move hands alternately from mouth outwards, as to sing a song

Count 1 - 5 on fingers

Nicky Nacky Nicky Noo

When I point to myself,
What have I here?
This is my mahunga,
Kaiako, dear.

Mahunga, mahunga,
Nicky nacky nicky noo
That's what they told me when I went to school

When I point to myself
What have I here?
This is my pakahiwi
Kaiako dear.

Pakahiwi, mahunga,
Nicky nacky nicky noo
That's what they told me when I went to school.

When I point to myself,

What have I here?

This is my poho

Kaiako dear.

Poho, pakahiwi, mahunga,

Nicky nacky nicky noo
That's what they told me when I went to school.

When I point to myself,

What have I here?

This is my puku

Kaiako dear.

Puku, Poho Pakahiwi, Mahunga,

Nicky nacky nicky noo

That's what they told me when I went to school.

When I point to myself,

What have I here?

This is my hope

Kaiako dear.

Hope, puku, poho, pakahiwi, mahunga,

Nicky nacky nicky noo

That's what they told me when I went to school.

When I point to myself

What have I here?

This is my waewae

Kaiako dear.

Waewae, hope, puku, poho, pakahiwi, mahunga

Nicky nacky nicky noo

That's what they told me when I went to school.

Mahunga - hair
Pakahiwi - shoulders
Poho - chest
Puku - stomach
Hope - hips
Waewae - legs/feet


Too Ringa Ki Roto
The hokey pokey song in Maori.  Note the extension of the word 'too' - this is pronounced the same way you would pronounce 'top' without the 'p' sound. I am unable to put the macron on the 'o'.

Too ringa ki roto,        (put your hand in)
Too ringa ki waho       (put your hand out)

Too ringa ki roto         (put your hand in)
Ka ruiruihia               (shake it all about)

Chorus
Kei te hope hope au    (swing your hips side to side)
Kei te huri huri au       (turn around)
Kei te paki paki au e!  (clap hands)

Too waewae ki roto      (put your leg in)
Too waewae ki waho    (put your leg out)
Too waewae ki roto      (put your leg in)
Ka ruiruihia                 (shake it all about)

Chorus

Too kumu ki roto           (put your bottom in)
Too kumu ki waho         (put your bottom out)
Too kumu ki roto           (put your bottom in)
Ka ruiruihia                 (shake it all about)

Chorus

Oma Rapeti

Oma raapeti, oma raapeti      (run rabbit, run, rabbit)
Oma, oma, oma                     (run, run, run)
Oma raapeti, oma raapeti      (run, rabbit, run, rabbit)
Oma, oma, oma                    (run, run, run)

Pako, pako, pako                   (Bang! Bang! Bang!)
Ko te tangi oo te puu             (Goes the farmers gun)

Oma raapeti, oma raapeti       (Run, rabbit, run, rabbit)
oma, oma, oma                       (run, run, run)


Paki Paki
An action song that teaches children a range of actions in Te Reo Maori.

Paki paki, paki paki, tamariki ma     (clap hands)
Paki paki paki paki, tamariki ma

Huri huri, huri huri, tamariki ma      (turn around)
Huri huri, huri huri, tamariki ma

Rere rere, rere rere, tamariki ma      (fly)
Rere rere, rere rere, tamariki ma

Hikoi hikoi, hikoi hikoi, tamariki ma    (walk)
Hikoi hikoi, hikoi hikoi, tamariki ma

Oma oma, oma oma, tamariki ma     (run)
Oma oma, oma oma, tamariki ma

Peke peke, peke peke, tamariki ma   (jump)
Peke peke, peke peke, tamariki ma

Whakarongo, whakarongo, tamariki ma   (listen)
Whakarongo, whakarongo, tamariki ma


Maa is White
A song to teach colours in Te Reo.  Again, there should be a macron above the 'ma', so I have extended the vowel sound to 'maa'.  There are several different versions of this song, this is the one that I know, but there are others too, as brown is also called 'pakaka'.

Maa is white,
Whero is red,
Kaakaariki green
Pango is black,
Mangu is too
A, E, I, O, U

Koowhai yellow
Parauri brown
Kikorangi blue
Parakaraka is our orange
A, E, I, O, U


Tohoraa Nui
Tune: Making Whoopee!

Tohoraa nui
Tohoraa roa
Tohoraa tino moomona
Tohoraa puhapuha
Whiore piu piu e
Tohora kau roto te moana e

The whale is big                         - raise arms up high
The whale is long                       - stretch arms front and back
The whale is very, very fat          - stretch arms out to sides
The whale blows out water         - show water spouting
And it swishes it's tail                - use arms to swish tail
And it swims in the deep blue sea  - swimming arms


E Toru Ngaa Mea
This can be sung an echo song - the leader sings the first line, the chidren copy.  It is a beautiful little hymn.  A colleague of mine wrote the second verse in English to help teach and reinforce the meaning of the song.  I think it is important to teach children the meanings of the songs and the words that we use.

Leader:                 Echo:
E toru ngaa mea     (e toru ngaa mea)
Ngaa mea nunui     (ngaa mea nunui)
E kii ana               (e kii ana)
Te Paipera            (Te Paipera)
Whakapono          (whakapono)
Tuumanako           (tuumanako)
Ko te mea nunui    (ko te mea nunui)
Ko te aroha           (ko te aroha)

There are three things   (there are three things)
That we value              (that we value)
Faith, hope, and love    (faith, hope, and love)
Faith, hope, and love    (faith, hope, and love)



Click on the link for more of my teaching resources

Counting Songs

This is a collection of counting songs; lots of them can be adapted to different themes, such as 10 Little Indians can become 10 Little Taniwha; or 10 Giant Dinosaurs.
Lots of these songs lend themselves perfectly to being action songs - I get children to be the 10 Speckled Frogs, and they all jump in the 'pond' one by one; or 10 children to be the 10 Little Monkeys jumping on the bed.

For Alice the Camel, I have one child to be Alice, and 5 children line up behind her, holding on to each other's waists. I throw a blanket over the top of the humps and Alice walks around and her humps follow.  The children love it!

You can find a range of action songs for young children suitable for mat times, group times and any times in the link; and you can find a collection of Te reo Maori waiata that are great for young children and mat times in this link.  There is also a collection of games for mat times and group times here.  And finally, when you want to send the children off to wash their hands, click on the link for a variety of songs for transition times.


Five Little Men in A Flying Saucer

Five little men in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day
They looked left and right
But they didn't like the sight,
So one of them flew away.

Four little men...


10 Little Speckled Frogs

Ten little speckled frogs
Sitting on a speckled log
Eating a most delicious lunch
Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are nine speckled frogs... ker plunk!

Nine little speckled frogs...



1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Taniwha's  
(To the tune of 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Indians)

1 little, 2 little, 3 little taniwha
4 little, 5 little, 6 little taniwha
7 little, 8 little, 9 little taniwha
10 little taniwha!

10 little, 9 little, 8 little taniwha
7 little, 6 little, 5 little taniwha
4 little, 3 little, 2 little taniwha
1 little taniwha!

I also adapted this to our dinosaur theme...
10 Giant Dinosaurs

1 giant, 2 giant, 3 giant dinosaurs
4 giant, 5 giant, 6 giant dinosaurs
7 giant, 8 giant, 9 giant dinosaurs
10 giant dinosaurs stomping round!

Watch out, watch out for the meteor!
Watch out, watch out for the meteor!
Watch out, watch out for the meteor!
Heading straight for Earth... BOOM!

10 giant, 9 giant, 8 giant dinosaurs
7 giant, 6 giant, 5 giant dinosaurs
4 giant, 3 giant, 2 giant dinosaurs,
1 giant.... oh no! No more giant dinosaurs!


5 Cupcakes in a Bakers Shop

Five cupcakes in a bakers shop
Round and fat with a cherry on the top
Along came (child's name) with a dollar one day
He bought a cupcake and he ate it right away!

Four cupcakes...


10 Little Monkeys 

10 little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mother called the doctor and the doctor said
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

9 little monkeys jumping on the bed...



5 Little Monkeys Swinging In A Tree
The children love doing this song/chant when they are climbing on monkey bars or a dome, with one child underneath being the crocodile.  It doesn't have to be 5 monkeys - it can be as many children as you have got!

5 little monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be...
and SNAP!

4 little monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be...
and SNAP!

3 little monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be...
and SNAP!

2 little monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be...
and SNAP!

1 little monkey swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be...
and SNAP!

Away swims Mr Crocodile, as full as he can be!


10 In The Bed

There were ten in the bed, and the little one said,
"Roll over, roll over!"
So they all rolled over and one fell out.

There were 9 in the bed ...


The Day I Went To Sea

When I was 1, I sucked my thumb
and ran away to sea.
I jumped aboard a pirate ship
and the captain said to me

We're going this way, that way, forwards backwards,
over the Irish sea.
A bowl of jelly to fill my belly
And that's the life for me!
Aarrr!

When I was 2, I tied up my shoe...
When I was 3, I banged my knee...
When I was 4, I shut the door...
When I was 5, I learnt to dive...
When I was 6, I picked up some sticks...
When I was 7, I met my friend Kevin...
When I was 8, I shut the gate...
When I was 9, I crossed the line...
When I was 10, I picked up a hen...

Actions: 
"Ran away to sea" - run on the spot
"I jumped aboard" - jump up and down
"A pirate ship" - cover one eye as a pirate patch
"The captain said to me" - salute
"We're going this way, that way" - bend from side to side
"forwards, backwards" - bend forwards and backwards
"over the Irish sea" - move your hands as if they are a wave
"A bowl of jelly" wobble your hands as if you are carrying a wobbly bowl of jelly
"To fill my belly" - rub your belly


Alice The Camel
This was a favourite from my childhood.  I choose one child to be "Alice", and ten children to line up behind her.  I cover the ten children in a large sheet, to be Alice's humps. As you say "boom boom boom", the last child at the back leaves the camel and comes and sits down.  You can of course let the children do this song on their fingers.

Alice the camel has ten humps,
Alice the camel has ten humps.
Alice the camel has ten humps,
So go, Alice, go, boom boom boom!

Alice the camel has nine humps...

Go all the way down to...
Alice the camel has no humps,
Alice the camel has no humps
Alice the camel has no humps
'Cos Alice is a horse, of course!


5 Little Ducks

5 little ducks went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
But only 4 little ducks came back.

4 little ducks went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
But only 3 little ducks came back.

3 little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
But only 2 little ducks came back.

2 little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
But only 1 little duck came back.

1 little duck went out one day

Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
But none of the little ducks came back.

Sad Mother Duck went out one day

Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, 'Quack, quack, quack, quack'
And all of her 5 little ducks came back.

Click on the link for more of my teaching resources

Action Songs for young children

We have such a big repertoire of songs in our memories, that it is so easy to forget the majority of them and just stick with a few that we do over and over and over.  It isn't until we hear a particular song again that we think "Oh I had completely forgotten this one!" I wanted to create a page that teachers and parents can use as a reference, to remind ourselves of songs that we can do with the children.

I like to start the day with movement songs, to get the children moving, and get the brain synapses working and making connections. Don't forget the traditional Nursery Rhymes - they are great action and movement songs, and they have stood the test of time - I loved them when I was a child, and I think they have a special charm to all children and are still very relevant today. 

Here are some that everyone knows, and some that you may not. But give them a try, they all work well and are fun to do! If you are not confident, practice at home first before trying them out at mat time.
You can find Te Reo Maori songs here, many of which are also great movement songs.
I have also done a separate post for counting songs here, many of which you can also use for movement.  These are works in progress and I will be adding more songs over time.
If you are after other mat time activities, you can find a range of fun games for mat times and group times on this link.
Finally, when you want to send children off to wash their hands, click here for a variety of songs for transition times.

The first part of this post is a collection of hand action songs; further down you will find action songs that use whole body movement.

Hand Action Songs

Wind The Bobbin Up

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Point to the ceiling
Point to the floor
Point to the window
Point to the door

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Actions:
Wind the bobbin up: roll hands around each other (same movement as for the Wheels on the Bus)
Pull and pull: Reach up high and pull your hands downwards


Hammer Hammer Hammer

Hammer, hammer, hammer
Shake, shake, shake,
Roll, roll, roll,
And clap, clap, clap

Maori:
Hama, hama, hama
Wera, wera, wera,
Huri huri, huri,
Paki, paki, paki

Hindi:
Thoko, thoko, thoko,
Hilao, hilao, hilao
Ghumaao, ghumaao, ghumaao
Tali, tali, tali

Samoan:
Tuitui, tuitui, tuitui
Luelue, luelue, luelue
Ta'milo ta'milo ta'milo
Pati, pati, pati

Fruit Salad

Watermelon, watermelon
Pineapple, pineapple
Bana-nana-nana, bana-nana-nana
Fruit salad, fruit salad

Samoan:
Ole meleni, ole meleni
Fala pula, fala pula
Fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i
Salati, salati

Tongan:
 Fo'i meleni, fo'i meleni
Fo'i faina, fo'i faina
Fo'i siaine, fo'i siaine
Salati, salati


One Day A Taniwha
(Tune: You are my sunshine)

One day a taniwha
Went swimming in the moana
He whispered sweetly in my taringa
Oh won't you come with me
There's such a lot to see
Underneath the deep blue sea.

I said "Oh no, no, no,
I have to go, go, go
But I know we'll still be friends.
My mother is waiting for me
Underneath the kowhai tree
Taniwha, haere ra.
Taniwha, haere ra


Slippery Fish

Slippery fish, slippery fish
Swimming in the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Tuna fish, tuna fish
Swimming in the water
Tuna fish, tuna fish
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by an...

Octopus, octopus
Swimming in the water
Octopus, octopus
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Crocodile, crocodile
Swimming in the water
Crocodile, crocodile
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Great white shark, great white shark
Swimming in the water
Great white shark, great white shark
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Humungous whale, humungous whale
Swimming in the water,
Humungous whale, humungous whale

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Taniwha, taniwha

Swimming in the water

Taniwha, taniwha

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

Nothing eats a taniwha!

Kai Moana E!

Kina, kina,         (Link hands, interlacing fingers - open and close fingers)

Wheke, wheke   (Wave arms like an octopus's arms)

Ika, ika,             (Put one finger on each cheek)

Tuna, tuna,        (Put hands together, pretend to be a fish swimming)

Pipi, pipi,           (Put wrists together, open and shut hands like a pipi)

Paua, paua,        (Move hands further apart, open and shut them)

Kai Moana e!     

Open, Shut Them

Open, shut them, open, shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open, shut them, open, shut them,

Place them in your lap, lap, lap.

Creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them

Right up to your chin, chin, chin

Open wide your little mouth

But do not let them in! (whisk fingers away behind your back)

I Had A Tiny Turtle

I had a tiny turtle
His name was Tiny TIm
I put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim.
(Put one hand on top of the other; palms together; thumbs and fingers out to make turtle flippers).

He drank up all the water
He ate up all the soap
And then my tiny turtle
Had bubbles in his throat
(Mime drinking water and eating soap)

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles
Bubbles, bubbles bubbles,
Bubble, bubbles, bubbles
and... POP!
(Run finger over mouth to create an underwater sound when singing; make a big popping motion with your hands on the word POP).


Little Peter Rabbit

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
And he flipped it, and he flopped it, and it flew right away!

Chorus:
Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

And he flipped it, and he flopped it, and it flew right away!

Other verses:

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his shoulder...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his arm...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his leg...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono          ( Te Reo Maori for bottom)

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono

And he squished it, and he squashed it, and that was the end of that!

(You can have a lot of fun squishing and squashing the fly underneath your bottom!)

 

This Little Light Of Mine

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.
Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

I Am The Music Man

I am the music man,
I come from far away
And I can play!
What can you play?


I play the piano.
Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

(Repeat first verse)

I play the violin
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

(Repeat first verse)

I play the piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, piccolo, piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, picco-piccolo
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

 (Repeat first verse)

I play the Big Bass Drum
Big bass, big bass, big bass drum
Big bass drum, big bass drum
Big bass, big bass, big bass drum,
Big bass, big bass drum.
Picco-picco-piccolo, piccolo, piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, picco-piccolo
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

Movement Songs

We Are The Fine Musicians

Actions: Pretend to play each instrument

Chorus:

We are the fine musicians, 

We practice every day

And people come from miles around

Just to hear us play

Our trombone, our trombone,

They love to hear our trombone

Our trombone, our trombone,
They love to hear our trombone

Chorus

Other possible instruments:

Keyboard

Drum

Fiddle

Bagpipes

Guitar

Trumpet

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

And eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!

(Point to the different parts of the body as you sing them)

The Maori version of this song is:

Mahunga, Pakahiwi, Puku, Hope, Waewae

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                           

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                            

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                            

Taringa, karu, ihu, waha e!                                                   

(hair, shoulders, stomach, hips, legs)
(ears, eyes, nose, mouth)

If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Other verses...

If you're happy and you know it, stamp your feet...

If you're happy and you know it, turn around...

If you're happy and you know it, shout hooray!...

Make up any other verses with the children that you can think of!

Jack In the Box

(Children start off crouching down in a little box)

Jack in the box, jack in the box, quiet and still

Will you come out, will you come out?

Yes, I will!                                                      (children stand up)

What can you do?

My hands are clapping, clapping, clapping,

My hands are clapping, just like this.

Children get back down into their box, repeat first verse.

Other possible verses...

My feet are jumping, jumping, jumping, My feet are jumping, just like this.

My legs are turning, turning, turning, My legs are turning, just like this.

My hands are rolling, rolling, rolling, My hands are rolling, just like this.

My head is nodding, nodding, nodding. My head is nodding, just like this.

Punchinello Funny Fellow

This is a great inclusive song that allows every child to have a go at inventing an action - copy what the child is doing, even if they are shy or reluctant to do an action, they may be holding onto their jacket, clenching their fists, turning their body side to side, or have put their hands to their mouths. Stand in a circle so that everyone can see each other.

What can you do, punchinello, funny fellow?

(Child demonstrates an action)

We can do it too, punchinello, funny you!

Go around the circle, giving each child a turn to demonstrate an action, which the whole class then repeats.

The Grand Old Duke Of York

This is a great marching song. Encourage the children to march straight and tall when you say the word "up", and go down low when you say the word "down".

The grand old duke of York,

He had ten thousand men

He marched them up to the top of the hill

And he marched them down again.

And when they were up, they were up.

And when they were down, they were down,

And when they were only halfway up,

They were neither up nor down.

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea                               

To see what he could see, see, see                        

But all that he could see, see, sea

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
(put hand up to forehead as if to salute on the words "sea" and "see")

A sailor went to chop, chop, chop                                 

To see what he could chop, chop, chop                           

But all that he could chop, chop, chop

Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop!
(use one hand to pretend to chop opposite forearm on the word "chop")  

A sailor went to knee, knee, knee                                      

To see what he could knee, knee, knee                             

But all that he could knee, knee, knee

Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee!

(pat knee with hand on the word "knee")

A sailor went to do-wop-do-wah                                         

To see what he could do-wop-do-wah                               

But all that he could do-wop-do-wah

Was the bottom of the deep blue do-wop-do-wah!
(rub stomach with one hand on the word :Do-wop-do-wah"

A sailor went to sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah                 

To see what he could sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah

But all that he could sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah!
 (Do all four actions)

Sleeping Bunnies
Children crouch down on the ground, pretending to be asleep.

Look at all the bunnies sleeping till it's nearly noon
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Why so still? Are they ill?

Up little bunnies, up, up, up.
(Little bunnies stand up)

Jump little bunnies, jump, jump, jump.
(Little bunnies jump up and down)

Hop, little bunnies, hop, hop, hop.
(Little bunnies hop around)

Stop, little bunnies, stop! stop! stop!
(Children freeze)

Everybody Move Around The Room
I learnt this song at a music workshop for children with special needs. It is a great way for children to do a variety of different movements and get their wriggles out if they are fidgeting on the mat. It is a simple tune with a rhythmic beat.

Everybody march, march, march around the room
Around the room
Around the room
Everybody march, march, march around the room

Around the room

Around the room

And then we stop!

Change actions... creep, stomp, tiptoe, crawl, roll, skip, jump, hop, turn, star-jump... children love to contribute their ideas to this song. You can keep the beat by banging on a tambourine or drum, or even just clap your hands.

Our Gallant Ship

Children stand in a circle holding hands.  As you begin to sing, go around in a circle (just like Ring a Ring a Roses)

Three times around went our gallant ship,
And three times around went she
Three times around went our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea!

(Jump up and down three times as you sing the last line, falling down to the ground as the ship sinks to the bottom of the sea!)

Down In The Forest
To the tune of Down in the meadow.  I learnt this song from a friend who taught at a Rudolf Steiner school in Auckland, and they re-wrote the song to teach children about native New Zealand birds and creatures.  Children can do the actions for each animal/bird..

Down in the forest in the shelter from the sun
Lives a brown mama kiwi and her little kiwi one.
"Sleep", said the mama. "I sleep", said the one
So they slept, and they slept, in the shelter from the sun.

Down in the forest where the moon shines blue
Lives a crafty mama ruru and her little ruru two.
"Swoop", said the mama. "We swoop" said the two.
So they swooped, and they swooped, where the moon shines blue.

Down in the forest on an old kauri tree
Lives a shiny mama snail and her little snails three.
"Slide", said the mama.  "We slide", said the three.
So they slid, and they slid, down the old kauri tree.

Down in the forest on the muddy forest floor
Lives a tiny daddy frog and his little froggies four.
"Hop", said the daddy.  "We hop", said the four.
So they hopped, and they hopped, on the muddy forest floor.

Down in the forest where it's good to be alive
Lives a mama tuatara and her little babies five.
"Bask" said the mama. "We bask" said the five.
So they basked, and they basked, where it's good to be alive.


Old Roger
Tune:  The Wheels on the Bus.  
This is a fun action song that children love. I learnt this song at a Rudolf Steiner school in Tauranga.  Choose one child to be Old Roger, who lies down in the middle of the circle with a blanket over him.  Choose one child in the circle to be the Old Lady, who will come and pick up the apples.  Make sure children stand in a large circle with lots of space in the middle for "Old Roger" to chase the "Old Lady" around.  I ask "Old Roger" to chase her but don't catch her.

Old Roger is dead and he lies in his grave,
lies in his grave, lies in his grave.
Old Roger is dead and he lies in his grave,
lies in his grave.
(Old Roger lies still in the middle; the rest of the children put both hands up to one side of their head as if they were sleeping).

They planted an apple tree over his head,
over his head, over his head.
They planted an apple tree over his head
over his head.
(Children pretend to dig a big hole, stomping their foot and using their arms for digging).

The apples grew ripe and they all tumbled down
all tumbled down, all tumbled down
The apples grew ripe and they all tumbled down
all tumbled down.
(The children reach up above their heads, and bend down and touch the floor on "all tumbled down")

Along came an old lady picking them up
picking them up, picking them up.
Along came an old lady picking them up
picking them up.
(Children bend down and pretend to pick up apples from the floor and put them in their baskets; The Old Lady enters into the circle, and starts to pick up apples).

Old Roger got up and he gave her a fright
gave her a fright, gave her a fright
Old Roger got up and he gave her a fright
gave her a fright.
(The children all run on the spot; Old Roger stands up and begins to chase the Old Lady around the middle of the circle).

This made the old lady go hippety-hop
hippety hop, hippety hop.
This made the old lady go hippety-hop
hippety hop.
(The children hop on the spot; The Old Lady and Old Roger start hopping around the middle of the circle).


The Green Grass Grows All Around
This is an echo song - the teacher sings each line and the children echo it, along with the actions (make them up if you don't know them).  Everyone sings the last line together. It is a long song, so better done with older children (4-5) rather than the young ones.

There was a hole (there was a hole)
In the middle of the ground (in the middle of the ground)
The prettiest hole (the prettiest hole)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around. (All)

And in that hole (and in that hole)
There was a tree (there was a tree)
The prettiest tree (the prettiest tree)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around. (All)

And on that tree (and on that tree)
There was a branch (there was a branch)
The prettiest branch (the prettiest branch)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that branch (and on that branch)
There was a nest (there was a nest)
The prettiest nest (the prettiest nest)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And in that nest (and in that nest)
There was an egg (there was an egg)
The prettiest egg (the prettiest egg)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And in the egg (and in the egg)
There was a bird (there was a bird)
The prettiest bird (the prettiest bird)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that bird (and on that bird)
There was a wing (there was a wing)
The prettiest wing (the prettiest wing)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the wing on the bird, and the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that wing (and on that wing)
There was a bug (there was a bug)
The prettiest bug (the prettiest bug)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the bug on the wing, and the wing on the bird, and the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.


The Jaybird
This is a silly (ie - fun) action chant.  Have children kneel on the ground, sitting back on their feet.  Every time the "whoop" is said, children raise up high.  The children enjoy the activity of kneeling up and down.  The jaybird is a brilliantly coloured, noisy chattering bird from Europe.

Away down south not very far off
A jaybird died of the whooping cough
He whooped so much with the whooping cough
That he whooped his head and his tail right off.


In And Out The Dusky Bluebells

In and out the dusky bluebells
In and out the dusky bluebells
In and out the dusky bluebells
I am your leader.
Children stand in a circle, holding hands up high, making arches.  One child walks in and out of the arches. When you get to "I am your leader", the child stands behind the person closest to them.

Tappety, tappety, on your shoulder
Tappety tappety, on your shoulder
Tappety, tappety, on your shoulder,
I am your leader.
The child taps the shoulder of the person in front of them. The tapped child then becomes the leader who starts walking in and out of the arches.  Eventually you end up with a large train of children holding onto each other, passing in and out of the remaining arches.


I Let Her Go, Go
This is a fun nonsense clapping game.  I teach children to first clap their hands together each time we say the word "go", so they get used to the rhythm.  When they can do that, I then teach them to clap their neighbours hands.  Once we have mastered that, we put our hands up to clap our neighbours hands on either side of them.  This takes a little bit of getting used to, and sometimes we miss, but it is fun!  The final one, is moving around the room on the third line, and clapping hands with someone else.

I let her go, go
Ai eee I let her go, go,
Ai eee I let her go
(Hold this 'go' for a long beat and turn around 360 degrees, coming to face back into the circle)
I let her go, go, go.


Cuddly Koalas
(To the tune of Frere Jacques)

Cuddly koalas, cuddly koalas
Possums too, possums too
Wallabies and wombats, wallabies and wombats
Kangaroo, and kangaroo

Koalas: fold arms and rock them
Possums: fingers make circles around eyes
Wallabies and wombats: spread each arm out
Kangaroo: jump like a kangaroo



One Finger, One Thumb, Keep Moving

One finger, one thumb, keep moving
One finger, one thumb, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

We'll all be happy and bright.

Jodi Works With One Hammer

Jodi works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer,

Jodi works with one hammer, all day long

(Children use one hand, make a hammering action)

Jodi works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers,

Jodi works with two hammers, all day long

(Children make a hammering action using both hands)

Jodi works with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers,

Jodi works with three hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands and one leg)

Jodi works with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers,

Jodi works with four hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands and two legs)

Children work with five hammers, five hammers, five hammers

Jodi works with five hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands, two legs, and nod head all at the same time)

Hokey Pokey
This is a well-known fun circle song. It really doesn't matter whether children know their left from their right, as long as they put an arm or leg in!

Put your left arm in, put your left arm out
Put your left arm in, and shake it all about
Do the hokey pokey and you turn around      (Swing hips side to side and turn around)
And that's what it's all about!                         (Clap hands on each word)

Oh-oh the hokey pokey               (everyone comes into the middle of the circle and back out)
Oh-oh the hokey pokey
Oh-oh the hokey pokey
And that's what it's all about    (Clap on each word)

Other verses:
Put your right arm in...
Put your left leg in...
Put your right leg in...
Put your head in...
Put your bottom in...
Put your whole self in...


Row Your Boat
You can either get into pairs facing each other and holding hands, or sit in a circle holding hands. Move your arms forwards and backwards as if you are rowing.

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.

Other verses:
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don't forget to scream!
Aargh!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Toss your teacher overboard
And listen to her scream!
Aargh!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Ha, ha, fooled you,
I'm a submarine!


Mrs Bunny

Mrs Bunny is funny when she wriggles her nose   (point to your nose)
Mrs Bunny is funny when she wriggles her toes   (wriggle toes)
Two floppy ears and two big feet                           (Make two ears with hands; lift your feet)
I love Mrs Bunny 'cos she's so neat.                      (Two thumbs up)
Mrs Bunny stretches                                              (Stretch up high)
Mrs Bunny flops                                                    (Bend over and touch the floor)
Mrs Bunny hops and hops and hops                     (hop on one leg)
and Mrs Bunny hops and stops!                           (hop on one leg and stop)


Skip To My Lou
I learnt this song at the Rudolf Steiner school in Tauranga when I was on placement there.  My A.T. had written the two extra verses. 

Chorus
Skip, skip, skip to my lou                            (dance around in a circle)
Skip, skip, skip to my lou

Skip, skip, skip to my lou

Skip to my lou my darling

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,   (make shooing motion with hands)

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                     (dance around in a circle) 

Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo   (stick pointer fingers up on head, like horns)
Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo

Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                      (dance around in a circle)

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo                 (cover face with hands; open up to reveal face)

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                      (dance around in a circle)

Pick A Bale of Cotton
(This is an old American song about the Negro slaves picking cotton in the cotton fields of South America).

I'm gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton.
Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day.
I'm gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton;
Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day.

Oh Lordy! pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy! pick a bale a day.
Oh Lordy! pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy! pick a bale a day.

I'm going to step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale of cotton.
Step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale a day.
I'm going to step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale of cotton.

Step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale a day

Repeat chorus

I'm going to stand up, sit down, pick a bale of cotton.
Stand up, sit down, pick a bale a day.
I'm going to stand up, sit down, pick a bale of cotton.
Stand up, sit down, pick a bale a day.

Repeat chorus


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Halloween

I like the magic and mystery that surrounds Halloween, and, again inspired by the amazing book "Forest Fairy Crafts", had lots of fun creating these witches, wizards and warlocks. You can easily make each one individual and unique by using different coloured yarn for the hair, or different shaped sequins, different coloured sequins, special patterns, embroidered stars, whatever your fancy and whatever you have the energy for doing.  Making each one unique is the fun part. These ones are more time consuming to create than the fairies, because there is a bit more sewing involved with the coats and hats, especially if you decorate with stars or sequins. But I still managed to make 9 of them in less than 2 days.

I made the cauldrons a few years ago (I actually made them for St Patricks Day, as the pot at the bottom of the rainbow) but they double up perfectly for use as witches cauldrons.  They are numbered, so children can put that many items into the cauldron (good for number recognition and 1-1 counting).

The frogs are made out of green fimo modelling clay.  I made them about 5 years ago, to go with the song "5 Little Speckled Frogs", so that children could make them jump on and off the log as they sang the song.  

I made the ghosts and pumpkins using a dough made of 2 parts cornflour and 1 part PVA glue (although I ended up putting in probably at least another cup of cornflour, because it was really sticky).  Just mix all together in a bowl until it starts to form a dough that you can mould with.

 I shaped the ghosts and pumpkins, let dry overnight, then baked in the oven at about 120 degrees Celcius slowly for an hour or two to let dry completely, before painting them.  I didn't paint the ghosts, just used a black marker to dot on the eyes and mouths.

This one is my favourite witch.  I think I shall call her Clementine, and I have written a little Halloween poem about her.

"Come in, come in", says Clementine,
Welcome to my cafe.
I hope you enjoy the menu,
I make it fresh each day.

Today's special is the B.L.T.
It's Bat, Lizard, and Toad.
It's juicy, crunchy and tasty,
Freshly squished today on the road.

The soup of the day is Spiderleg Soup,
Served with Warts on Toast on the side.
Or, if you prefer, there is Eyeball Stew,
Which is tender and chewy inside.

I have a wide selection of pies in the warmer:
Snake & Kidney, and Mince & Fleas.
The Potato Snot Pie is delicious,
With a crusty texture that is sure to please.

For the sweet tooth, I have a Parrot Cake.
My own secret recipe, you know.
But for a real special treat, try the Chocolate Log,
Complete with slaters and slugs below.

If you're thirsty, try one of my refreshing wee's.
The Green Goblin's does wonders for you.
A Mango Snake's wee is light and tasty,
And you should try my Slime Milkshake, too.

When it comes to dessert, it's hard to go past
A Mice Pudding, or Citrus Fart.
The Skeleton Crumble is served with ice cream,
And topped with a peppermint heart.

So come in, place an order, do sit down.
You'll be pleased that you came here too.
If you have any complaints, please see me in the kitchen,
And you'll be put into tomorrow's stew.

by Sally Pugh


I wrote a little Halloween Song too:

A Witches Cat
Tune: A Pizza Hut or A Ram Sam Sam (both are the same tune)  

A witches cat, a witches cat
A spooky old skeleton
And a witches cat.
A zombie, a zombie
A spooky old skeleton
And a witches cat.

Actions: 
witch - make the shape of a witches hat on your head
cat - hold up your hands like claws
spooky old skeleton - shake your body
zombie - put arms out in front

by Sally Pugh

If You're Happy and You Know It - Halloween version!
I made this one up spontaneously with the children at mat time - the kids helped with ideas of what to do.

If you're happy and you know it, fly your broom
If you're happy and you know it, fly your broom
If you're happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it, fly your broom

Other verses:
Skeleton - If you're happy and you know it shake your bones
Ghost - If you're happy and you know it say oooooooo (use a spooky voice)
Zombie - If you're happy and you know it, be a zombie hold out arms in front of you!)
Bat - If you're happy and you know it, flap your wings
If you're happy and you know it, shout boo - BOO!

Counting Monsters
Tune of 1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians.  This can be changed to anything - monsters, vampires, zombies, ghosties.

1 little, 2 little, 3 little monsters
4 little, 5 little, 6 little monsters
7 little, 8 little 9 little monsters
10 little monster boys and girls.

10 little, 9 little, 8 little monsters
7 little 6 little, 5 little monsters
4 little, 3 little, 2 little monsters
1 little monster boy and girl.


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