Today's Classroom Activities :
A Month of Music
Springtime Songs
Science/Art Teach the following finger play to your students, then take them outside for bird watching and bird listening. Have them echo the sounds of their favorite birds. When the kids return to the classroom, invite them to use various art materials to create their own birds.
Bird Talk
by Jacqueline Schiff
One little robin sitting in a tree (Hold up one finger)
Singing this song: "Cheerily-cheerily." (Tap out syllables of song by drumming finger on opposite arm; drop finger)
Two little bluebirds eating in a tree (Hold up two fingers; point fingers toward mouth)
Singing this song: "Chur-wee, Chur-wee." (Tap with raised fingers; drop fingers)
Three little chickadees flying to a tree (Hold three fingers horizontally and zoom them through the air)
Singing this song: "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee." (Repeat the tapping-out rhythm)
Four little cardinals sounding so witty,
(Hold up four fingers and laugh) Singing this song, "Pretty, pretty, pretty." (Repeat tapping-out syllables; drop fingers)
Five yellow warblers, happy when they meet (Hold up five fingers; draw smile across face with thumb)
Singing this in the garden, "Sweet-sweet-sweet." (Repeat tapping out syllables; drop fingers)
Six little nuthatches singing, "Pit-pit-pit." (Hold up six fingers; tap out syllables on legs: drop fingers)
Seven little sparrows whistling as they sit. (Seven fingers, whistling sounds)
Eight little flickers singing, "Wicka-wick." (Eight fingers, tapping syllables on legs)
Nine little finches call, "Tick, tick, tick."(Nine fingers, leg tapping)
Ten busy hummingbirds singing out,"Tchew!" (10 fingers, leg tapping)
Finishing their nests; and then away they flew! (Pretend to build nests, wiggle fingers in the air then down into palms to make two fists)
Songs Around the World
Music For a collection of international songs and nursery rhymes designed for primary children, go to www.mamalisa.com/world and then click on Countries A-Z. Most songs can be found both in English and the language of origin.
A Month of Music
Music During March, make time for singing in your class. Introduce a different song at the beginning of each week. Use a CD or cassette to aid the sing-along. Ask your students to illustrate the song, tap out the rhythm and study the lyrics. Researching the background of the song can also tie into a history lesson nicely.
Sing Me a Story - This month's books include CDs and sheet music – or just text that's eminently sing-able!
