Let's sing and learn and get ready for the new school year!
How? For the next ten days I will take one of my favorite songs and share learning activities. You can capture the children's interest with the song and then use it as a "rabbit trap" to reinforce skills.
I met "Katalina Matalina" 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.
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:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljU0hTRGdIMkVPVWc/view?resourcekey=0-yMCRPw392hBe1D2LMehB7A
Syllables
I met "Katalina Matalina" 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OvNvMdz7BU
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:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljU0hTRGdIMkVPVWc/view?resourcekey=0-yMCRPw392hBe1D2LMehB7A
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.
Rhymes
Can they identify the words that rhyme in the song?
Comprehension
Rhymes
Can they identify the words that rhyme in the song?
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.
