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Thursday, December 1, 2011

LET'S DO A LITTLE SINGING!

I was talking to someone recently and they commented, “My children don’t even know some of the old Christmas songs like ‘Jingle Bells,’ or ‘Up on the Housetop.’”  It’s time to get out the old songbook, open your mouth, and make a joyful noise!

Jingle Bells

Chorus:
Jingle bells, jingle bells,                      (Pretend to hold bells and shake.)
Jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.  Hey!         (Fist in the air.)
Jingle bells, jingle bells,                           (Pretend to jingle bells.)
Jingle all the way.
What fun it is to ride and sing
In a one horse open sleigh.

Dashing through the snow,                  (Pretend to hold reins and drive
In a one horse open sleigh                  sleigh.)
Over the fields we go,
Laughing all the way.                           (Hand on stomach and laugh.)
Bells on bobtail ring,                           (Pretend to drive sleigh.)
Making spirits bright.
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.  (Chorus)

Here’s a book to go with the song:
One teacher said that she made four copies of songs and then put them at the listening center with the book.  Fluency research would say that’s the perfect way to provide children with repetition and encourage them to track as they sing.   Add a pointer with a jingle bell, Santa, or other symbol to make it even more fun.
Sleigh Riding – Have children sit on the floor facing the same directions.  Demonstrate how to hold the person’s waist in front of you.  As you sing the song sway forwards and backwards to the beat as if riding a sleigh.

Jingle Bells – Let children thread several jingle bells on a pipe cleaner.  Twist the ends together to make a bracelet children can shake as you sing.

Jingle Bell Painting - You will need an empty cheese ball container or similar cylinder shape with a lid.  Cut a piece of paper so you can roll it and put it in the cylinder.  Take two jingle bells.  Drop one in red paint and the other in green paint.  Use a spoon to transfer the bells to the can.  Put on the lid, then shake up the can as you sing “Jingle Bells.”  Take out the paper and you’ll have a jingle bell painting!

S A N T A
(Tune:  “BINGO”)

There is a jolly bearded man          (Put arms out in front of you
And Santa is his name-o.                  like Santa’s tummy.)
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
And Santa is his name-o.

He lives at the North Pole…                  (Clap instead of saying “S.”)
His wears a suit all red and white…        (Clap for “S” and “A.”)
He makes toys for girls and boys…         (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N.”)
He drives a sleigh with 8 reindeer…       (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N,” “T.”)
He’ll visit you on Christmas Eve…           (Clap for all letters.)
Here’s the link so you can download this book:
www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/12_Dec/pg00.html

S–A-N-T-A  - Write a different letter on five sheets of paper.  Draw a hand on the back of each sheet. Choose five children to hold these as you sing the song.  Explain that as you sing the song, when you turn over the letter and see the hand they should clap.

Santa Star – Give children red stars and a few cotton balls.  Can they make a Santa out of the star?  Add their name, date, and a piece of yarn for a hanger.  This makes a great ornament for them to take home and hang on their tree.