Some of you just finished
the school year and some of you will be headed back before you know it. I’m going to be busy doing workshops
and seminars the next month, so I’ve prepared 30 days of back to school ideas
for my blog. Let’s get started
with some songs!
“Name” Is the Game!
Children love their names
and will feel so special when you use their name in one of these chants. These activities will also nurture your
classroom community and help the children get to know their new friends.
Who Ate the Cookie?
Child’s
name ate the cookie (Hold up name card.)
in the
cookie jar.
Who me? (First child responds.)
Yes you. (Class chants.)
Couldn’t be? (First child.)
Then who? (Class chants.)
Second child’s name ate (Hold up another name.)
the cookie in the cookie jar…
*Cut
out paper cookies and write the children’s names on them. Store in an empty cookie box and use as you say the
chant.
*Cut
out gingerbread cookies. Glue
children’s faces on the head and write their names on the bodies. Add a strip of magnetic tape to the back and these can be used for signing in, the question of the day, or graphs.
*Make
cookies and glue the child’s photo to one side and print their name on the
other side. Place the cookies face
down on the floor. Children try to
read their friends’ names and then flip over with a spatula to confirm.
Hickety Pickety
(Clap hands and snap fingers.)
Hickety, pickety bumblebee
Who can say their name for me? Child’s name.
Clap it.
(Clap out syllables as you say the name.)
Snap it.
(Snap syllables in name.)
Whisper it.
(Whisper name.)
No sound.
(Lip sinc name.)
Name Cheer
(Cheer each child’s name.)Give me a ‘K’.
‘K’ - I’ve got a ‘K,’ you’ve got a ‘K.’
Give me an ‘i’…Give me an ‘M’
What’s it spell? ‘Kim’ Say it
again. ‘Kim’ One more time. ‘Kim’ Yeah!!!
Shakey, Shakey
(Clap hands or slap knees.)
Child’s name, child’s name
sick in bed.
Called the doctor and the doctor
said,
“Get up child’s name, you’re
not sick.
All you need is an exercise trick.”
So hands up, and shakey, shakey,
shakey.
Get down and shakey, shakey, shakey.
Turn around and shakey, shakey,
shakey.
Sit down and shakey, shakey, shakey.
Hint! When doing these chants, never force children to
participate. If you have a very
shy child, I would ask them if they would like you to use their name. Often, they want to hear their name,
but they don’t want to stand up and dance.