Creatures
great and small
1.
2. Bow wow
wow
3. Six
little frogs
4. Brave brave mouse
5. Shoo
fly
Last updated: 17/02/2013 16:53
The songs below are part of ‘Hop,
skip and away we go!’ The original
collection
compiled, adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear
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listen to music from these songs click on the title at O
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watch the author sing a song click on the title at:
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A traditional game from Watch another version of
this song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrAWelw3gto&feature=related Sit in a large circle.
Choose 4, 5 or 6 children to lead, depending on the number in your class –
there will be ideally five in each group, though for the last verse all can
join in. Leaders are spaced inside the circle.
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A big favourite with younger
children for the surprise ending when each original pair is re-united with a
huge leap and shout of ‘WOW! Divide the class into two or
three groups (maximum six pairs). Pairs face each other in a group circle,
back to back with other couples.
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This song by Ian Humphris was played on the BBC’s programme for schools Words
and Pictures in the 1970s but remains as popular with young children today as
it did in the past. It is an echo song with the
leader singing the initial refrain and the class copying. Some patience is
needed and children will initially try to join in with the leader! The last
line is sung together. Children begin in a
crouching position but will need plenty of room to jump high and low followed
by big jumps from side to side. Keep very still at the end of the song as all
the frogs are at the bottom of the well. Leader Echo There were six little frogs, There were six little frogs, Sitting on a well, Sitting on a well, Two leaned over, Two leaned over, And down they fell. And down they fell. Frogs jump low, Frogs jump low, All sing: Four little frogs jump to
and fro. There were four little
frogs, There were four
little frogs, Continue as above Two
little frogs jump to and fro. There were two little frogs, There were two
little frogs, Continue as above No
little frogs jump to and fro. |
I’ve played this song since
my five year old son introduced it to me after returning from school. A quiet
shy child he marched around the house with great gusto singing at the top of
his voice. It has had the same effect on many classes of children since this
time especially the timid ones and also the more lively boys. Watch it on Words and
Pictures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVd_Vk1K5KI. The words are by Julian
Dakin and the music by Elizabeth Bennett. Children need plenty of
space to march briskly in and out of each other which they do for the chorus
and refrain. Stand still during spoken parts and recite with expression. I’m
a brave, brave mouse, I go marching round the house, And
I’m not afraid of anything. For
danger I’m prepared and I’m never, never scared, No,
I’m not afraid of anything. Teacher: What about a cat? Children:
What – a cat! Teacher: Yes, a cat! Big and fat. Indicate size
with hands Children: We - ell, except for a cat –
I’m not afraid of anything! Teacher: What about a trap? Children:
What – a trap! Teacher: Yes, a trap! That goes SNAP.
Children join in with the SNAP stretch and close arms Children: We - ell, except for a trap
– I’m not afraid of anything! Teacher: What about an owl? Children:
What – an owl! Teacher: Yes, an owl! On the prowl. Put finger and thumb round eyes and look from side to side Children: We - ell, except for an owl
– I’m not afraid of anything! |
This is mostly a moving in
place game but will provide the exercise needed if the actions are
exaggerated and vigorous. A good song for extending the vocabulary of
movement. Do not necessarily use all the verses in this song as your children
will have many ideas of their own, of animals and their actions. Foster creativity. Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFDb6yW2AaQ&feature=related Swat at fly, move finger
from side to side. Point to self. Shoo
fly don’t bother me, Shoo
fly don’t bother me, For
I belong to somebody! Hands and arms explode outwards
with fingers stretching, sparkle high and low. I
sparkle, I sparkle, I sparkle like the morning star, I
sparkle, I sparkle, I sparkle like the morning star, So-o……
CHORUS Crouch, jump up and
down. Little runs forward and
back. Quite difficult to do on
the spot! Open and close arms. Use big over arm
movements. Arms slither high, low
and in all directions. Wave arm and plod on the
spot. I
hop, I hop, I hop like a little green frog... I
scurry, I scurry, I scurry like a spider… I
gallop, I gallop, I’m galloping like a horse... I
glide, I glide, I glide like a sharp toothed shark ... I
prowl, I prowl, I prowl like a sleepy lion... I
slither, I slither, I slither silently like a
snake... I
stomp, I stomp, I stomp like an elephant... |
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