Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

This is a musical activity based on the classic children's book, Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. First, read the book to the children. If you're unfamiliar with the story, here's a quick synopsis. Rainbow Fish is a beautiful ocean fish. He's lovely, but he has no friends. After consulting the wise Octopus, he learns that if he shares his beautiful scales with the other fish, they will like him and he will be happy.

After reading the book, discuss the theme of sharing and friendship. Then pass out a fish scale (1 finger cymbal) to each child. Usually as I am doing this, someone will insist that it takes 2 cymbals to make music. Here's where I prompt them to think of how they can make music together if they share like rainbow fish did. Once they figure out that 2 people can tap their cymbals together, I put on Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid soundtrack. Encourage the children to swim around the room making music with friends along the way. I also encourage smiles, eye contact, and "Hello Friend" with each gentle ding.

I Had A Mule

This is a fun rhyme to do as it involves falling backwards from a seated position. (Great ab workout!)

Begin by establishing a beat (clapping, tapping on knees, stomping, etc.)

I had a mule.
His name was Jack.
I rode his tail
To save his back.
His tail fell off
And I fell back!

Whoa, Jack!!!!  (On this line fall backwards)

Repeat, perhaps changing the way you establish the beat.

Rock Scissors Paper

This is a fingerplay-type song that I got from Super Simple Songs. To the tune of Frere Jacque, sing...

Rock, scissors, paper           (Make rock scissors, paper hand motions like in the traditional game)
Rock, scissors, paper           (Make rock scissors, paper hand motions like in the traditional game)
1-2-3                                     (Hold up 1-2-3 fingers)
Play with me                         (Point to self)
Right hand is hand is paper  (Hold out 1 paper hand)
Left hand is paper                 (Hold out another paper hand, hooking thumbs together)
Now I am a butterfly             (Flutter hands in a butterfly motion)

The beauty of this song is that you can make different hand shapes based on the rock, paper, scissors theme.  For example, scissors and scissors held up over your head could be bunny ears. Rock and rock could simulate the steering wheel of a race car. Paper and paper with thumbs at your temples could be deer antlers. Paper and paper could also make a chomping motion of an alligator or shark.

Long-Legged Sailor (traditional camp song)

This is a fun song that can be used to teach contrasting movement patterns. Words to sing are in italics and suggested movements are in parentheses.

(Stretch up super tall)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your long-legged life 
Seen a long-legged sailor with a long-legged wife?

(Squat down low)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your short-legged life
Seen a short-legged sailor with a short legged wife?

(Stand on one leg)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your one-legged life
Seen a one-legged sailor with a one-legged wife?

(Stand on two legs)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your 2-legged life
Seen a 2-legged sailor with a 2-legged wife?

(Stand on two legs with one hand on the floor)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your 3-legged life
Seen a 3-legged sailor with a 3-legged wife?

(Now both feet and both hands on the floor)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your 4-legged life
Seen a 4-legged sailor with a 4-legged wife?

(Stand and wiggle your legs, wet noodle fashion)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your wobble-legged life
Seen a wobble-legged sailor with a wobble-legged wife?

(Stand with stiff straight legs)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your straight-legged life
Seen a straight-legged sailor with a straight-legged wife?

(Stand with your feet wide apart)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your wide-legged life
Seen a wide-legged sailor with a wide-legged wife?

(Stand with your legs crossed)

Have you ever, ever, ever in your cross-legged life
Seen a cross-legged sailor with a cross-legged wife?

Johnny Schmoker (Pennsylvania Dutch Folksong)

Johnny Schmoker is a Pennsylvania Dutch folksong and therefore was originally in German. Here is the English version.

Johnny Schmoker, Johnny Schmoker,
Can you sing? Can you play?
I can play on my drum.
Boom, boom, boom goes my drum.

Johnny Schmoker, Johnny Schmoker,
Can you sing? Can you play?
I can play on my triangle.
Ting, ting, ting goes my triangle.
And boom, boom, boom goes my drum.


Johnny Schmoker, Johnny Schmoker,
Can you sing? Can you play?
I can play on my flute.
Deedle deedle dee goes my flute
Ting, ting, ting goes my triangle.
And boom, boom, boom goes my drum.



Keep adding verses with other instruments, singing them in reverse order each time. This can be a good memory and sequencing challenge.

Five Little Muffins

This is a traditional sort of countdown rhythmic chant. Here is how I learned it.

5 little muffins in the bakery shop.

You know the ones with the honey and the nuts on top.

Along comes a child with a penny to pay.

He takes one muffin and runs away.

Now... there.. are...

4 little muffins in the bakery shop.

You know the ones with the honey and the nuts on top.

Along comes a child with a penny to pay.

He takes one muffin and runs away.

And so on until you reach zero.

Variations to use instead of "little muffins":

From Peter and Ellen Allard...Five brown buns with sugar on top

From Linda @ JCC...Five loaves of challah with poppy seeds on top

Freeze Dance with Body Awareness

Instructions: Put spot dots (or pieces of scrap paper) on the floor, enough for at least one per child. Tell the children that the dots/paper stay on the floor, ie don't pick them up. Play upbeat music and dance. Stop the music and call out a body part. The children have to put that body part on the dot/paper. Start with easy body parts: hands, individual fingers, feet. Progress to harder body parts like elbow, shoulder, or belly button. Resume playing music and dancing. Repeat until song is over or children tire of the game.