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Date: 1-24-00Since the parachute is to large for 1 and 2 year olds, I bought a piece of tarp form my local home improvement store. All of the toddlers grab an end , and shake it. They each take turns throwing different sized balls on it. ( well, maybe not take turns) ha, ha . I have never seen them laugh so hard. Try it it's fun!
Date: 12-21-00Freeze Dance I work with kids that are 2-4 and we love to play freeze dance. Pick any kind of music (the faster the better), have the kids dance to the music and freeze when it stops. The positions are great that the kids end up having.
10-17-00All you need is a bell and a set of rhythm sticks for a fun movement activity on a rainy/snowy day! ( And it really fine tunes Listening Skills!) "Click" a slow beat on the sticks. Call this "walking music". Then "click" out a faster beat with the sticks. Call this "jogging music". Now, ask the children to listen to the sticks' rhythm. When they hear the "walking music", they should walk around the room. When they hear the "jogging music", jog. Now ring the bell. This means "stop and drop". Now, have fun with the slow and fast beats of the sticks ("walking music" and "jogging music" ) and ring the bell. Now you've got the power and your kids have a great physical and auditory workout! ideaI made some very inexpensive streamers for dancing. I took lids from yogurt containers, cut the centers out so I had plastic rings. Then I cut an old red plastic tablecloth into strips. I also used a white garbage bag cut into strips so I had 2 colors. I then looped then in a knot through the rings. They are easy for small hands to hold. The children love them. I put on disco music and we march and dance around the room waving our streamers up and down and all around. Fun! Date: 12-1-99ideaOn a rainy day, we took wooden paint stirrers and taped them to sturdy paper plates to make a racket. Then we blew up balloons and played balloon tennis. The children can sit spread out on the floor and try to keep the balloons from falling to the ground or each child can have a balloon and see how long he/she can hit the balloon before it touches the ground. It gets out a lot of energy and uses those muscles. Date Posted: 9-23-99ideaWhen I used music as a theme with my toddlers, everyday we listened to different types of music. One day was country, so we wore cowboy hats, and at the end of the week we listened to rock and roll and had a sock hop and dressed fifties style. Have you ever seen a one year old with slicked back hair and rolled up tee shirt sleeves? Date Submitted: 9-19-99Date: 6-28-99MUSICAL HULAHOOPS This is a variation of musical chairs. The difference is that it is not a competative game--no one is OUT. Place several hulahoops around the area (I use large hula hoops and have one out for every 3-4 children). Explain to the children that they will walk AROUND the hula hoops. When the music stops, they all need to be in a hula hoop and there can be more than one child in a hoop. Each time you stop the music and the children are in the hoops, have them start walking around them again--but remove one hoop. Continue until there is only one hoop left. The children will all work together to make sure all of their friends get in the hoop when the music stops. Date: 3-20-99Our day in class had started to become somewhat loud and the children were losing focus. I threw my original small group plan out the window and decided to do an activity I named "Drawing the Music of Yanni". I had the children lay on the floor on their bellies spreading their arms and legs out for a moment to make sure they could not touch a friend. I gave them a piece of newsprint paper and a handful of crayons. I then explained that I wanted them to draw what the music sounded like. I told them we would play two or three songs without talking, and just draw what we hear. I got on the floor right along with them!! This went wonderfully!! The art work the children drew was vibrant, colorful, and creative! After we were done we sat in a circle and I held up each child's work one at a time for all to see. As I did, I would ask the child who's' picture I was holding to tell about what they heard in the music. They were each so proud, and our day went a lot smoother!! While this activity covers a few components, such as Good Mental Health, Music&Movement, and Art activities, I have chosen to place it in the Music area. We often use the music of Yanni, and Enya at various times in our classroom including quiet time. So, if you get the chance try them. The children seem to truly enjoy them. Date: 12-21-99Paper plate skate Give each child 2paper plates, 1 for each foot. Turn on a some classical music (Nutcracker works great) Enjoy your skate around the room. Toddlers and preschoolers will love this activity. Date: 12-26-981. Jumping stones - 2 to 6 little foot square carpet samples will be placed outside the door. (if you are putting them on a carpeted surface, stick hooked Velcro strips on the back to keep them in place). If 2 squares, they can jump from one to another, or stand on them to do tossing games. If 6 squares, they will be in a hop scotch pattern. 2. Scoops and bean bags - Make large scoops by holding an empty gallon plastic milk jug by the handle but turned upside down. Cut away the bottom and the part right above the handle and it makes a great scoop. Show the children how to gently toss a bean bag underhand to their partner who tries to catch it in their scoop. 3. Statues - Have cards available with a stick figures posed in different body positions - arm up, arm down, feet apart or together, balancing on one foot. You can do the same with stick figures and a bean bag balanced on various body parts. The activity is for the children to select a card and copy what the figures are doing. 4. Various activities will be added such as those stompers (cups with handles that the children place their feet on and walk), those fuzzy mitts with Velcro balls, a quiet version of bowling with liter bottles as pins and a large foam ball as the bowling ball, punch balls from the local Walmart and others as I think of them. I hope this area works!!! 10-14-98 Name: jennie 9-28-98 Name: cara 8-18-98 Name: Rose E-Mail: rrademac@lsd.k12.mi.us This is an activity we do while waiting for the bus to come. The children sit in a circle which we pretend is a boat. We sing "Row, row, row you boat". Then, since I'm the captain, I shout out a child's name and say, "Kelly, overboard!" Then that child jumps inthe middle of the circle and pretends to swim. All of the rest of us throw in a pretend line and begin pulling. As we are "pullling we say " 1-2-3-4-5 she's/he's alive!! The child in the middle then take his seat. We repeat this until everyone has had a turn to jump overboard. 7-17-98 Name: Ruth Play the recording Ride of the Valkyries from "Die Walkure" by Wagner. Give each child a "spaceship" made from a paper towel tube. Attach strips of crepe paper at the end of the tube. When the music begins the spaceship is on the ground in a vertical position. The children listen to the music and move their spaceship up, down, in circles etc. The music will give the children hints as to the type of movement they will use. The teacher should help the class listen for high and low pitches as well as soft and loud. 5-20-98 Name: Chris E-Mail: marrsck@hotmail.com In my classroom we keep a variety of homemade equipment for the children to use. We have ladders, saw horses of various sizes, ramps, trampolines, tires, mats, and balance beams. All are brightly colored. We use the sawhorses to climb over, walk on, crawl under, make a mountain to climb, etc. Ramps are used for running and jumping on the tramp (incorporate half-turns, knee slaps, full turns, jump off and forward roll, etc. We also use it to crawl up and forward roll over (great way to teach a roll!) We use the ladder for cross crawling (feet and hands alternate on rungs). Once the children have mastered the concept, place the ladder on two tires, one tire for a ramp, then place it on the sawhorses. Please make sure you have someone spotting this area at all times. Mats are for tumbling, pencil rolls, etc. It is great to see the children gain confidence in their motor skills. You may also add cones or chairs for the children to weave in and out while crawling, skipping, walking, jumping, etc. You can make this as difficult or easy as the children you teach. We also play a variety of music during this time. Create an obstical course with this equipment and watch your students shine! 4-2-98 Name: Debbie E-Mail: debjim@storm.ca The Old Grey Cat Choose 1 child to be the cat and have them "sleep" in a corner of the room not to far away. The remaining children pretend to be the mice. I remind the children before starting that the mice always stay on the rug. (or within your defined space) You are then able to start the game. As the mice crouch on their spots you sing: "The old grey cat is sleeping , sleeping, sleeping the old grey cat is sleeping in the house." The cat stays sleeping and you continue "The little mice are dancing, dancing, dancing (children dance on their spot) the little mice are dancing in the house!'' "The little mice are nibbling, nibbling, nibbling (children nibble) the little mice are nibbling in the house! The little mice are resting, resting, resting (children get back into a resting crouch postion) the little mice are resting in the house!" Mice stay resting and attention goes back to the cat. "The old grey cat comes creeping, creeping, creeeping , the old grey cat comes creeping in the house! The little mice go scampering, scampering, scampering , the little mice go scampering in the house! You or the "cat" pick the next child to be the cat. This is a vey popular game but be warned the scampering mice can get out of control if limits aren't set. 3-29-98 Name: Andrea E-Mail: ACERKANO@AOL>COM Record: Learning Basic Skilss Through Music vol.1 This Hap Palmer served as a main part of our "circle time." The songs utilized listening, perceptual, and cognitive skills. It actively involved listeners to move around, jump, and play games using these skills. The songs helped children with color recognition and gets them physically involved. The songs talk about and involve them with numbers, the alphabet, and body parts. These concepts are all presented in a happy rhthmic learning and teaching program. My favorite song on this record is Sammy. Many of the songs will help you and further enhance lessons you have already presented to the students. P.S. You can also get the record at a Learning Resource Center near you. 3-26-98 Name: Alicia E-Mail: soup5@lamere.net The teacher is in the middle of the room with a closed umbrella. Have the children march, hop or skip etc. until the umbrella goes up signaling that the rain has started and the children have to run to a spot under the umbrella to keep dry until the sun comes out again and they can play. 2-23-98 Name: Karen E-Mail: Kcooper219@aol.com Children sit down on floor legs in straddle position. Their fingers on both hands represent two swimmers who want to jump off the diving board. They take their fingers on each hand and walk them down their legs to their toes and when they reach their toes they bounce their fingers on the tips of their toes and they jump in the water. They swim using their arms and then climb out of the water and start over again until they are stetched out and then they can grab a towel and dry off. 2-23-98 Name: Kathy E-Mail: RSMITH5076@aol.com BALLOON CATCH Hot glue or tape a large paper plate to the end of a wooden paint stirrer. Give one to each child with a blown up balloon. They throw the balloons up in the air, but then have to catch them on the plates. I usually start them out slowly, making them follow me as we throw and catch one time, then two times, etc., until they get the idea. Then turn on some music and let them throw and catch. This is great for eye-hand coordination, and they love it! Editor's Note: Make sure you do this with older preschool children who are not apt to bite into the balloons :) 2-10-98 Name: Marlene E-Mail: mapiggy@aol.com "Yankee Doodle can go to town in other ways besides riding on a pony It can be called slideroni, skiparoni, walkaroni, hoparoni,tiptoearoni---- Yankee Doodle went to town Riding on a pony He stuck a feather in his hat And called it Skiparoni Yankee Doodle skipped to town Skipped to town so dandy Mind the music and the step And with the kids be handy 1-26-98 Name: Molly E-Mail: elmomolly@aol.com This is a song/movement activity that a friend of mine shared with me. I use it in my classroom when we talk about the letter J and it is a great way to get the wiggles out before sitting down at the tables for project or snack time. First you need to make a bowl by sitting the children in a circle on the floor. One child at a time comes into the center of the circle and wiggles and dances however they would like while the other children sing this song: Jello in the Bowl (tune: "The Farmer in the Dell") Jello in the bowl, jello in the bowl, Weeble, wobble, weeble, wooble, Jello in the bowl! Continue to move around the circle until everyone has had a turn. This kind of jello is certain to fall off your spoon! Enjoy!! Name: cindy E-Mail: cin69@webtv.net Materials needed large sized bubble wrap music Give each child their own sheet of bubble wrap to place on the floor in front of them. Explain to the children that they are going to pop the bubbles however they cannot use their hands to pop them. turn on the music and let them pop their bubbles using any body part except their hands. elbows, knees toes, bottoms etc. are used. let them stomp the bubbles with their shoes on and with bare feet. This was inspired by my handicapped sister who doesn't have the manual dexterity to use her fingers to pop the bubbles but found lot's of other ways to pop the bubbles and enjoyed every minute of the activity as do the children of my class!!! Have fun and pop some bubble wrap along with the kids NO HANDS Name: Pat E-Mail: pattypre@aol.com With Your Partner (sung to Skip to My Lou) Children are in pairs With your partner... shake their hand, (repeat 2 more times) Shake their hand my darling. Other verses: , turn around, stamp your feet, stand and bend, shake your hands, nod your head, march in place, etc., (and finish) GIVE A HUG. Name: Daylene E-Mail: aactchrday@aol.com Paper Plate Dancing Give each child a paper plate. Play different types of music and have the children keep the beat by: Tapping the plate on their head Tapping the plate on their tummy Tapping the plate on their foot Tapping the plate on their knee Etc.......... Once the children are used to tapping the paper plate on different body parts, ask them where they should tap the plate next. Name: Daylene E-Mail: aactchrday@aol.com Name: Daylene E-Mail: aactchrday@aol.com Scarf Dancing Ask your parents to donate old scarves or go to a thrift store and buy them. You will need once scarf per child. Play many different types of music. Have the children move their scarves to the beat of the music. Talk about the music....... Is it fast, slow, happy, sad, etc......... Name: Sue E-Mail: sruger36@sunline.net Name: Sue E-Mail: sruger36@sunline.net I have never had an original idea in 37 years, but I can take someone elses idea and run with it. This idea was from a workshop and I tried it and the children loved it. At the time I was working with toddlers 1-2 years old, but in outside play the older children were all lined up for their turn. Record Beethoven's 5th symphony. Give punch balls to children. (they are very inexpensive at Walmart, 4 for $1.00.) With the older children I talked about the loud and soft parts of the music, and the fast and slow parts(so they had to listen). Please try it. If we don't play classical music for the children, who will? Submitted by: Daylene E-Mail: aactchrday@aol.com Submitted by: Daylene E-Mail: aactchrday@aol.com Arm Dancing Materials Sidewalk Chalk Cassette Player Various types of music: Classical, rock, reggae, country, slow, fast, etc............. One day, take your class outside where there is a large amount of cement. Let each child choose a piece of chalk. Tell your class that you will be playing different types of music and they can move their arms to the beat of the music to create chalk designs. While doing the activity, talk about the music. Is it fast or slow? Does it make you feel sad or happy, etc..... Submitted by: Sara E-Mail: csdavis@mcs.com We utilize the Listen and Move Song from Music and Movement in the Classroom a book and tape set I got once at the Chalkboard. I will look at the publisher and see where it can be ordered... it is also a great resource! There is different kinds of music for different kinds of movement, so I just adapted the movements to the way different zoo animals move for example: Walk like an elephant Gallop like a zebra Waddle like a penguin Run like a cheetah Slither like a snake Jump like a kangaroo
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