CALENDAR CHATS AND MACARENA MONTHS

Calendar chats can be a springboard for many math concepts, such as counting, addition, more, less, measurement, shapes, etc. Here are some ways to tie in math with your morning meeting.

*Hint! Each month mark the calendar with days that have a special meaning for the children, such as birthdays, field trips, vacation days, etc.

How Many?
Count how many boys. How many girls? How many altogether? Which is more? Which is less? How many ones and how many tens?

Operations
Think of equations that equal the date.

Vote
Vote on books, games, songs, and other favorites. Tally results and discuss more, less, and equal.

Before and After
How many days until the field trip?
What was yesterday? What is tomorrow?


Macarena Months(Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)
August, (Left hand on back of head.)
September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

*End with "There are 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days in a year, WHOO!" (Point to the sky on Whoo!)



http://bit.ly/drjeanMacarenaMonths

HEY, MACARENA!

This dance is so much fun. You can count, say the months, or say the ABC's as you wiggle and cross the midline.

Macarena Count to 100
Directions: Children stand and do the “Macarena” as they count.
1 (Right arm out palm down.)
2 (Left arm out palm down.)
3 (Right palm up.)
4 (Left palm up.)
5 (Right hand on left shoulder.)
6 (Left hand on right shoulder.)
7 (Right hand behind head.)
8 (Left hand behind head.)
9 (Right hand on left hip.)
10 (Left hand on right hip.)
(Clap two times.)
That is one ten. (Hold up one finger.)
11…100

*Do the “Macarena” with Dr. Jean on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGKXZVxAffM&list=PL7bsHC8DZJxh3UuXWDyOXZ1c_dGBUdxOA&index=40

*Skip count using the Macarena. Counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, etc. will help children with multiplication.

Macarena Months(Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)
August, (Left hand on back of head.)
September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

*End with "There are 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days in a year, WHOO!" (Point to the sky on Whoo!)



http://bit.ly/drjeanMacarenaMonths


Macarena Alphabet
Sing or say the letters as you cross the midline.
A (Left arm out with palm down.)
B (Right arm out with palm down.)
C (Turn left palm up.)
D (Turn right palm up.)
E (Right hand on left shoulder.)
F (Left hand on right shoulder.)
G (Right hand on back of head.)
H (Left hand on back of head.)
I (Right hand on left front hip.)
J (Left hand on right front hip.)
K (Right hand on back right hip.)
L (Left hand on back left hip.)
And M (Turn around.)
N (Left arm out with palm down.)
O (Right arm out with palm down.)
P (Turn left palm up.)
Q (Turn right palm up.)
R (Right hand on left shoulder.)
S (Left hand on right shoulder.)
T (Right hand on back of head.)
U (Left hand on back of head.)
V (Right hand on left front hip.)
W (Left hand on right front hip.)
X (Right hand on back right hip.)
Y (Left hand on back left hip.)
And Z (Turn around.)

SPORTS AROUND THE YEAR

Let's get those kids moving and learning in 2025! Wouldn't a SPORTS DAY be a FANTASTIC FRIDAY idea?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GYOzLTBNwM

Sports Around the Year
January, let’s all skate – (Slide feet from side to side with big steps.)
Slipping, sliding, feeling great.
In February, grab your skis (Squat and swing arms from left to right.)
Down the mountain, fast and free.
In March we’ll do some hoops (Pretend to dribble a ball and then shoot.)
Basketball dribble, shoot, and loop.
In April let’s do track and field (Run in place and jump.)
Running, jumping down the field.

Chorus:
Biking, dancing, playing ball (Do jumping jacks, march, or
Winter, spring, summer, fall. a dance step.)
Staying fit and staying strong.
Playing sports all year long!

In May we’ll kick and punt the ball (Right foot kicks to the left
Playing soccer, one and all. and then left foot kicks to the right.)
In June baseball is so much fun (Pretend to swing a bat.)
Pitching, batting in the sun.
In July we’ll swim in the pool (Swim forwards, backwards, sidestroke.)
Backstroke, sidestroke, feeling cool.
In August we’ll all be gymnasts (Balance on right foot and lean forwards.)
Balancing, tumbling on the mats. (Balance on left foot and lean forwards.)

Chorus

September, now it’s football time: (Feet out and run in place.)
Down, set, hut on the scrimmage line.
October’s great for cheer leading, (Hands in air and jump up and down.)
Cheering on our favorite team.
November: let’s karate chop! (Pretend to chop right and then left.)
Kick and block – now don’t you stop!
December, swing your hockey stick- (Pretend to skate and swing a stick.)
Hit that puck, we never miss!


Sports Day
Liven up a boring winter day with “sports day.” Invite children to wear clothing from their favorite sport or team.

Pantomime
Let children take turns pantomiming different sports as their friends try to guess.

Sportsmanship
Discuss what it means to be a “good sport.” Role-play being a good loser and a good winner.

Equipment
Encourage children to bring equipment from sports they like to play. Write down the names of the equipment on the board and use for a writing activity.

Graph
Make a graph of their favorite sport or sports team.

College Days
Talk about where you went to college and why it is important to go to college. Let each child make a pennant of the college they would like to attend. Use the pennants to decorate your classroom.

CALENDAR CHATS

Calendar chats can be a springboard for many math concepts, such as counting, addition, more, less, measurement, shapes, etc. Here are some ways to tie in math with your morning meeting.

*Hint!  Each month mark the calendar with days that have a special meaning for the children, such as birthdays, field trips, vacation days, etc. 

How Many?
Count how many boys. How many girls? How many altogether? Which is more? Which is less? How many ones and how many tens?

Operations
Think of equations that equal the date.

Vote
Vote on books, games, songs, and other favorites. Tally results and discuss more, less, and equal.

Before and After
How many days until the field trip?
What was yesterday? What is tomorrow?

Pattern
Make a pattern as you color in the days on the calendar.
Make patterns with the children by having them stand, sit, or do motions.
Clap hands and slap thighs in patterns for the children to extend.

Shapes
You will need a pointer for this activity. Insert different shapes in this song to the tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man?”

Do you see a circle, circle, circle?
Do you see a circlesomewhere in the room?
Pass the pointer to a child who touches that shape and responds:
Yes, I spy a circle, circle, circle. Yes I spy a circlein the room.

*You can involve the whole group by letting them all get up and touch the shape mentioned in the song.

Comparing
Compare the number of children who were tie shoes and Velcro, who have pockets or no pockets, who walked to school or rode to school, etc.

Days of the Week (Tune: “The Addams Family” – Sing in sign language.)
Days of the week. Days of the week. (Snap fingers.)
Days of the week. Days of the week.
Days of the week.
There’s Sunday (Open palm and circle out.)
And there’s Monday, (Make an “m” and circle.)
There’s Tuesday (Make a “t” and circle.)
And there’s Wednesday, (Make a “w” and circle.)
There’s Thursday (Make an “h” and circle.)
And there’s Friday, (Make an “f” and circle.)
And then there’s Saturday. (Make an “s” and circle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsfKTNAL50

*Point to the days on a calendar as you sing.

Macarena Months (Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)
August, (Left hand on back of head.)
September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

http://bit.ly/drjeanMacarenaMonths

OLE OLE OLE

These songs are a meaningful bridge between English and Spanish-
and Spanish and English!

1. Hello Friend
2. Hola Amigo
3. Days of the Week
4. Dias de la Samana
5. Months of the Year
6. Meses del Ano
7. Weather
8. La Cancion del Tiempo
9. Today Is Sunday
10. Hoy Es Domingo
11. Opposites
12. Opuestas
13. Color Farm
14. Colores en la Granja
15. Alphabet in English
16. Alfabeto en Espanol
17. Five Little Monkeys
18. Cinco Monos Pequenos
19. Macarena Math
20. Matematicas de Macarena
21. The Rules Rap
22. Rap de Reglas
23. Tooty Ta
24. Tu Ti Ta
25. Couch Potato Pokey
26. La Sofa Papa Pokeyic
27. If You Are Happy
28. Si Usted Esta Feliz
29. My Mother Is a Baker
30. Mi Mama Es Panadera
31. Special Me
32. Yo Soy Especial
33. Good-Bye Friends
34. Adios Amigos

SPORTS THROUGH THE YEAR

Can't get outside?  Let's get those kids moving and learning in 2024! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GYOzLTBNwM

Sports Around the Year
January, let’s all skate – (Slide feet from side to side with big steps.)
Slipping, sliding, feeling great.
In February, grab your skis (Squat and swing arms from left to right.)
Down the mountain, fast and free.
In March we’ll do some hoops (Pretend to dribble a ball and then shoot.)
Basketball dribble, shoot, and loop.
In April let’s do track and field (Run in place and jump.)
Running, jumping down the field.

Chorus:
Biking, dancing, playing ball (Do jumping jacks, march, or
Winter, spring, summer, fall. a dance step.)
Staying fit and staying strong.
Playing sports all year long!

In May we’ll kick and punt the ball (Right foot kicks to the left
Playing soccer, one and all. and then left foot kicks to the right.)
In June baseball is so much fun (Pretend to swing a bat.)
Pitching, batting in the sun.
In July we’ll swim in the pool (Swim forwards, backwards, sidestroke.)
Backstroke, sidestroke, feeling cool.
In August we’ll all be gymnasts (Balance on right foot and lean forwards.)
Balancing, tumbling on the mats. (Balance on left foot and lean forwards.)

Chorus

September, now it’s football time: (Feet out and run in place.)
Down, set, hut on the scrimmage line.
October’s great for cheer leading, (Hands in air and jump up and down.)
Cheering on our favorite team.
November: let’s karate chop! (Pretend to chop right and then left.)
Kick and block – now don’t you stop!
December, swing your hockey stick- (Pretend to skate and swing a stick.)
Hit that puck, we never miss!

Chorus

Sports Day
Liven up a boring winter day with “sports day.” Invite children to wear clothing from their favorite sport or team.

Pantomime
Let children take turns pantomiming different sports as their friends try to guess.

Sportsmanship
Discuss what it means to be a “good sport.” Role-play being a good loser and a good winner.

Equipment
Encourage children to bring equipment from sports they like to play. Write down the names of the equipment on the board and use for a writing activity.

Graph
Make a graph of their favorite sport or sports team.

College Days
Talk about where you went to college and why it is important to go to college. Let each child make a pennant of the college they would like to attend. Use the pennants to decorate your classroom.

DAYS AND MONTHS

Yep, I know today is Saturday, but you can check out my video of "Today Is Sunday" any day.

Click to view video for Today is Sunday

This is an old camp song that's good for helping children learn the days of the week. And, yes, going forwards and backwards is actually good for the brain.

Write the days of the week on seven paper plates as shown. Let children draw the foods in the song.  Pass these out to seven children and let them stand in front of the room and hold up their plate at the appropriate time in the song.


Calendar Time
Every morning you can sing this song and insert specials for the day.

Today is day of the week.
Day of the week music (P.E., art, etc.)
All you lucky children, well, that's O.K."


My Favorite Foods
Fold two sheets of paper in half and staple to make a book. The children can write a different day on each page and then draw their favorite foods. (The teacher who shared this idea years ago said one little boy who was a picky eater drew macaroni and cheese on every page!)

DAYS OF THE WEEK
(Stand up to begin this rhyme.)
Sunday, Sunday,
Clap, clap, clap. (Clap hands.)
Monday, Monday,
Tap, tap, tap. (Tap foot.)
Tuesday, Tuesday,
Hop, hop, hop. (Hop on one foot.)
Wednesday, Wednesday,
Stop, stop, stop. (Hold up hand.)
Thursday, Thursday,
Jump, jump, jump. (Jump on two feet.)
Friday, Friday,
Thump, thump, thump. (Pound fists together.)
Saturday, Saturday,
Turn around. (Turn around.)
Now smile quietly
Without a sound! (Sit down and smile.)


Macarena Months(Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)
August, (Left hand on back of head.)
September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

*End with "There are 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days in a year, WHOO!" (Point to the sky on Whoo!)

Click to view video

 

OLE OLE OLE!

These songs are a meaningful bridge between English and Spanish-

and Spanish and English!

1. Hello Friend
2. Hola Amigo
3. Days of the Week
4. Dias de la Samana
5. Months of the Year
6. Meses del Ano
7. Weather
8. La Cancion del Tiempo
9. Today Is Sunday
10. Hoy Es Domingo
11. Opposites
12. Opuestas
13. Color Farm
14. Colores en la Granja
15. Alphabet in English
16. Alfabeto en Espanol
17. Five Little Monkeys
18. Cinco Monos Pequenos
19. Macarena Math
20. Matematicas de Macarena
21. The Rules Rap
22. Rap de Reglas
23. Tooty Ta
24. Tu Ti Ta
25. Couch Potato Pokey
26. La Sofa Papa Pokeyic
27. If You Are Happy
28. Si Usted Esta Feliz
29. My Mother Is a Baker
30. Mi Mama Es Panadera
31. Special Me
32. Yo Soy Especial
33. Good-Bye Friends
34. Adios Amigos

 

Click to learn how you can get these songs for your students.

 

Haga clic para saber como puede obtener estas canciones para sus alumnos.

 

DAYS OF THE WEEK AND MACARENA MONTHS

Here are some great songs for your morning routine.

Days of the Week (Tune: “The Addams Family” – Sing in sign language.)
Days of the week. Days of the week. (Snap fingers.)
Days of the week. Days of the week.
Days of the week.
There’s Sunday (Open palm and circle out.)
And there’s Monday, (Make an “m” and circle.)
There’s Tuesday (Make a “t” and circle.)
And there’s Wednesday, (Make a “w” and circle.)
There’s Thursday (Make an “h” and circle.)
And there’s Friday, (Make an “f” and circle.)
And then there’s Saturday. (Make an “s” and circle.

                                     

 View Video

*Point to the days on a calendar as you sing.

Macarena Months (Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)

August, (Left hand on back of head.)

September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

Watch Video

                                    


Here's another chant to help children learn the days of the week.

Days of the Week
(Stand up to begin this rhyme.)
Sunday, Sunday,
Clap, clap, clap. (Clap hands.)
Monday, Monday,
Tap, tap, tap. (Tap foot.)
Tuesday, Tuesday,
Hop, hop, hop. (Hop on one foot.)
Wednesday, Wednesday,
Stop, stop, stop. (Hold up hand.)
Thursday, Thursday,
Jump, jump, jump. (Jump on two feet.)
Friday, Friday,
Thump, thump, thump. (Pound fists together.)
Saturday, Saturday,
Turn around. (Turn around.)
Now smile quietly
Without a sound! (Sit down and smile.)

Roller Coaster Days
Start your hands low and move them up slowly as you say the days of the week. When you get to the current day raise your voice high and then lower your voice and hands as you say the final days in the week.

For example, Wednesday would go like this: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, WEDNESDAY, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

 

.

 

MNEMONIC DEVICE

A mnemonic device helps you recall how to spell a word or how to remember a string of words or a phrase that stands for more complicated information. I can remember my fourth grade teacher standing at the board saying, “My father taught me how to spell geography by saying: George Elliott’s Oldest Girl Rode A Pig Home Yesterday.” Some days I can’t remember my phone number, but I’ll never forget how to spell geography! I’m sure all of you have had a similar experience and can attest to the power of these clever tricks.

  

Note!! I know this isn't that meaningful for young children, but you might need to know this if you are ever on "Jeopardy" or if you're helping older children with homework.  Besides, I just felt like giving you (and me) a break today! 

Homes – The Great Lakes are:
Huron,
Ontario,
Michigan,
Erie, and
Superior.
                                

Planets
My (Mars)
very (Venus)
eager (Earth)
mother (Mars)
just (Jupiter),
served (Saturn)
us (Uranus)
noodles (Neptune).

Roy G. Biv – He’s your friend when it comes to the color spectrum.
Red,
orange,
yellow,
green,
blue,
indigo,
violet.
                 

Directions
Never (North)
Eat (East)
Soggy (South)
Weenies (or Sour Watermelon) West
*Point to the directions as you say this.

Spelling BECAUSE -
Big
Elephants
Can
Always
Understand
Small
Elephants

Spelling ARITHMETIC (Bridget Weaver)
A
Rat
In
The
House
Might
Eat
The
Ice
Cream

Continents
Eat (Europe)
an (Antarctica)
aspirin (Asia)
after (Africa)
a (Australia)
nutty (North America)
Sandwich (South America).
                    

Months of the Year
Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November.
All the rest have thirty-one excepting February alone;
Which hath but twenty-eight, in fine, till leap year gives it twenty-nine.

*Hold up knuckles on both hands. Point to the knuckles as you name the months. The months with 31 days will be the tall knuckles and the months with 23 or 30 days will be the lower spots in between.

Multiplication by Nine – Hold up ten fingers.
1 x 9 (One - put down left pinky and nine ones will be left.)
2 x 9 (Two – put down second finger/left pinky and you’ll have 1 ten and 8 ones.)
3 x 9 (Three – third finger down for two tens and seven ones.)
4 x 9 (Four – fourth finger down for three tens and six ones.)
5 x 9 (Thumb down for four tens and five ones.)
6 x 9 (Right thumb down for five tens and four ones.)
7 x 9 (Right pinky down for six tens and three ones.)
8 x 9 (Right middle finger down for seven tens and two ones.)
9 x 9 (Right ring finger down for eight tens and one.)

Do you have any mnemonic devices tucked away in your brain? I’d love to hear about them.