Katalina Goes
Back to School
Oh, my
goodness! August is almost here
and many of you are getting ready to go back to school. Katalina Matalina would like to go with
you this year!
Katalina and I go
back a long time to when I was a girl scout in the 1950’s. I loved her then and children still
love her today! She has several cousins,
like Hagalena Magalena, but the message is the same.
Skills: phonological
awareness, invented spelling, diversity, comprehension
Directions: Children will love singing this song to
the tune of “Shortnin’ Bread.” Then you can use Katalina as a catalyst for reinforcing other skills.
*The song is on my
“Silly Songs” CD if you want to get it on my website drjean.org.
Chorus: Katalina
Matalina Upsadina Walkadina Hoca Poca Loca was her name.
Her
head was shaped like a baseball bat. (Point to head.)
And
right on top was a funny, old hat.
(Chorus)
She
had two hairs in her head. (Point
to hair.)
One
was alive and the other was dead.
(Chorus)
She
had two eyes in her head. (Point
to eyes.)
One
was purple and the other was red.
(Chorus)
She
had two teeth in her mouth. (Point
to mouth. Point up and down.)
One
pointed north and the other pointed south. (Chorus)
Her
neck was as long as a ten foot pole.
(Point to neck.)
And
right in the middle was a big, black bow.
(Chorus)
Her
hips were like two ships in port.
(Wiggle hips.)
One
headed south and the other headed north.
(Chorus)
Her
feet were as flat as a bathroom mat.
(Point to feet.)
How
did they ever get like that?
(Chorus)
But
she had a heart, so I’m told. (Put
hands over heart.)
That
was made of purest gold. (Chorus)
Syllables - Clap
out the syllables in Katalina’s name.
Clap out the syllables
in the children’s names in your classroom. Count how
many claps in each person’s name.
Compare and graph.
Shared Writing - As
an interactive writing activity slowly say Katalina’s name. Encourage the children to call out letters as you write them on the
board. Make
up silly rhymes with children’s names,
Comprehension - Have children close their eyes as you
sing the song and create
a picture of Katalina in their heads.
Give each child a
sheet of paper to draw her interpretation of Katalina. Display
on a bulletin board or make a class book.
Diversity - Talk
about what it means to have a heart of gold. Cut out 4 hearts and decorate with gold glitter.
Punch holes in the hearts
and tie on string to make necklaces.
Each day when you
see a child being a kind friend, let them wear Katalaina
Matalina's heart of gold.
