FROG WENT A COURTIN'

Oh, let's just have a silly song today!

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Frog Went A-Courtin’ (Traditional Tune)
A frog went a-courtin’, (Pretend to hold reins and ride a horse.)
And he did ride. Hum-hum, hum-hum.
A frog went a-courtin’,
And he did ride,
With his horse right by his side. Hum-hum, hum-hum.

He rode up to Miss Mousie’s den… (Knock on the door.)
Said, “Please, Miss Mousie, let me in…

“Yes, Sir Frog, I sit and spin… (Spin arms around, then motion to come in.)
Please, Mr. Froggie, won’t you come in?”

The frog said, “My dear, I’ve come to see… (Palms together as if begging.)
If, Miss Mousie, you’ll marry me…”

“Oh, yes, Sir Frog, I’ll marry you… (Shake head “yes,” then hold up 2 fingers.)
And we’ll have children two by two…”

The frog and mouse they went to France… (Pretend to hold reins and ride again.)
And that’s the end of my romance…

Activities: Choose different children to be the “Frog” and “Mouse” and act out this song.

Note: There are many variations of this song, but I changed the "sword and pistol" to "his horse right by his side."


Put Your Bottom on the Rug
(Here's a verse to the above tune to get children sitting quietly on the rug.)
Put your bottom on the rug, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Put your bottom on the rug, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Put your bottom on the rug.
Give yourself a little hug.
Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Frog Puppet
My students always enjoyed making this hoppy frog. He can be used for "Frog Went A-Courtin'" or for "Five Little Speckled Frogs."

TIPS AND TRICKS - Have a Seat

Children will be ready to sit down and focus with one of these tips!

Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”) 

Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)



Sit Down Chant
Clap your hands. (Clap 3 times slowly.)
Stomp your feet. (Stomp slowly 3 times.)
Put your bottom
in your seat!

Criss Cross
Criss cross. (Children sit cross legged on the floor.)
Be your own boss! (Children fold arms around their chest as they give themselves a hug. Hugging their chests helps children center themselves and gain control.)

Criss-Cross Applesauce
Cut the label off a can of applesauce and glue it to a piece of paper. Tape the paper to a stick and whenever you want the children to sit "criss-cross applesauce" hold up your sign. That's a good example of visual literacy because before children read words they read pictures.
*Thanks to my friend Pamela Pounds for this fantastic idea.

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Lap (Tune: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes")
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Legs are criss-cross applesauce (Cross legs and fold hands.)
And our hands are in our lap, lap, lap.


Sitter Spot
If your class has a difficult time sitting in a spot you can make them a “sitter spot” from felt squares or fun foam. Cut circles (any size) and write the students’ names with a maker. Spread these out so they all have a defined place to sit. Explain that it’s their “special” spot.




Divide and Conquer
One of the simplest techniques for “impulsivity” is to separate children who tease each other. Putting a high-energy student between two quiet friends will definitely have a calming effect.


Put Your Bottom on the Rug
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.
Put your bottom on the rug, then give yourself a hug.
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.


Have a Seat (“Shortnin’ Bread”)
Everybody have a seat, have a seat, have a seat.
Everybody have a seat on the floor.
Not on the ceiling, not on the door.
Everybody have a seat on the floor!

*Note: If you want children to sit in a chair, then sing:
Everybody have a seat, have a seat, have a seat.
Everybody have a seat on your chair.
Not on the ceiling, not in the air.
Everybody have a seat on your chair.