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 and Patalina Matalina, but the message is the same. It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside because a kind heart is the most important thing about a person.
Children will love singing this song to the tune of “Shortnin’ Bread.” Then you can use Katalina as a catalyst for reinforcing other skills.
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)
Here's a link with patterns so you can make your own Katalina:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljU0hTRGdIMkVPVWc/view?usp=sharing
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.
That was made of purest gold. (Chorus)
Here's a link with patterns so you can make your own Katalina:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljU0hTRGdIMkVPVWc/view?usp=sharing
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.
Here is a video where you can hear the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSfEkTogiNg
