There is a song of mine that you are probably familiar with called "Katalina Matalina." I learned this song over 60 years ago when I was a Brownie. It's a silly song that the kids love, but there is also a timeless lesson with her heart of gold.
Click for video
Katalina Matalina
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.)
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:
Click to download Katalina printable
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.
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.
Kindness Club
Make a poster that says "Kindness Club." When friends do a kind deed ask children to write their name on the poster. You could also run off "Kindness Tickets" that children to give to friends to thank them.
Pepperoni Pizza
I like to eat, eat, eat, (Extend arms to make a circle like a pizza.)
Pepperoni pizza.
I like to eat, eat, eat,
Pepperoni pizza.
Sing substituting the long “A” sound for each vowel.
A lake tae ate, ate, ate,
Papparaynay pazzay…
Continue substituting with “E,” “I,” “O,” and “U.”
Hint! Make sign language letters for the vowels as you sing.
