So Big - Activity Songs for Little Ones

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Review Parent's Choice Gold Award SO BIG! Hap Palmer. Hap-Pal Music, HP107 Ages 2-6 If ever a songwriter knew how to speak in music to young children, it's the 'Babysongs' man himself, Hap Palmer.  Here is a new treasure trove of original songs that get preschoolers and elementary school children hopping. dancing, clapping and singing.   They can pretend along with Baby Chickie -'Peck, chickie, peck, stretch out your neck, Squirm about and shake each leg . . . Until you crack the shell and break the egg'.  They can move like Five little Monkeys  or learn about counting in Ten Wiggle Worms.  Each tune is repeated in an instrumental version with move suggestions for learning and fun. Parent's Choice Gold Award 1994 Biography Hap Palmer pioneered the integration of music and movement in the area of early childhood education. His songs enhance the development of motor skills, language acquisition, reading readiness, and math concepts as well as nurture the imaginative process and encourage creative problem solving. His widespread popularity in schools and day-care centers for more than twenty years, makes him a living legend within the teaching community for young children. Teachers have used his music for more than two generations to teach letters, numbers, phonics, days of the week, colors, shapes and more. A third generation of children are now learning with his songs and movement innovations. An accomplished musician, singer/songwriter and educator, his multiple skilled talent on guitar, bass, percussion, saxophone, and clarinet is featured on his various recordings. His 'Baby Songs' live-action music video series for young children has sold more than 2 million units. Hap continues to write, record and produce award-winning videos and recordings, which have received numerous honors including Parents' Choice Gold Awards, the American Library Association Notable Designation, 'Best Music Award' from Parent's Guide to Children's Media, recommendations from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, an 'Outstanding' commendation from Parent Council, a 'Best Kids' Music' Gold Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications (NAPPA), The Early Childhood News Directors Choice Award and the American Video Award. Family Fun magazine calls Hap's recordings 'an essential component of the family music library.' The Los Angeles Times recently dubbed Hap 'the Bob Dylan of the Diaper Set.' As a teacher of teachers, Hap teaches classes and workshops for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the University of California at Los Angeles Education Extension, the Los Angeles City Schools, the Georgia Pre School Association, the Oklahoma Early Childhood Association, the New England Kindergarten Conference, the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children and many other school districts and educational organizations throughout the nation. Using his background in music, education, and dance, he helps teachers find innovative, imaginative and fun ways to teach their students with enjoyable music and lyrics that children love to listen to over and over again. With a Masters Degree in Dance Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a love of music, Hap Palmer gives the world of early childhood education and young children a lasting gift of learning that spans the generations. Teaching Guide SO BIG - ACTIVITY SONGS FOR LITTLE ONES Words, Music and Activities by Hap Palmer ©Hap-Pal Music Introduction These easy-to-learn activity songs are designed for preschool and primary grade learners. They tap children's natural desire to move, sing and make-believe. From a tiny chick curled inside an egg, to the vigorous movements of a galloping pony, a full range of images and movement possibilities are explored through words and music. While clapping, stamping, turning, reaching, falling, throwing, catching, bending, twisting, crawling, walking, hopping, running and soaring, the whole child is engaged in developing movement skills, enriching language, experiencing basic math and science concepts, and stimulating imaginative powers. Each song is repeated in an instrumental version. Once children have learned a song, they can sing along without hearing the words. The instrumentals have a soft melody line to act as a guide without overpowering the children's voices. The instrumentals also provide opportunities for choice making, problem solving and creativity. Children choose the things they would like to pretend, make up their own words and create their own movements. They then sing and move using their ideas. There are endless possibilities and variations of ways to use these songs. This guide is a starting point for introducing children to the joy of music and movement. SO HAPPY YOU'RE HERE This is a song to warm up our voices and welcome everyone to music and movement time. Listen to each funny phrase, then sing it back like an echo. During the first chorus, give yourself a pat on the back, shake your own hand, and give yourself a hug and squeeze. During the second chorus, give someone else a pat on the back, shake her/his hand, and give that person a gentle squeeze to say, ' We're so happy you're here today!' Sing Doo wah doo, Tra la la, Yo-dle-ay, Sha na na Hi dee hi, Howdy doo It's all a funny way to say, 'We're glad you're here today!' Chorus: Now give yourself a pat on the back Reach out and shake your own hand Give a gentle squeeze to say you're pleased We're so happy you're here today, today We're so happy you're here today Sing Fee fi fo, Fiddly dee Shooby doo, Golly gee Skizzamaroo, An a hi to you Now turn and face someone and say, 'We're glad you're here today!' Chorus: And give someone a pat on the back Reach out and shake a hand Give a gentle squeeze to say you're pleased We're so happy you're here today, today We're so happy you're here today Instrumental: Make up your own funny phrases. Write them on the board, then sing the song using your ideas. You can also create a funny motion that goes with each phrase and play follow the leader. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS Act out the story of five monkeys who fell down and bumped their heads while jumping on the bed. The doctor told their mother not to let them jump on the bed. They decided to try hopping and then turning. They finally solved the problem of how to play and not hurt themselves by going outside and jumping on the lawn. Five little monkeys jumping on the bed They all fell down and bumped their heads Mama called the doctor; the doctor said, 'No more monkeys jumping on the bed!' So they thought and thought then said, 'Let's hop instead!' Five little monkeys hopping on the bed They all fell down and bumped their heads Mama called the doctor; the doctor said, 'No more monkeys hopping on the bed!' So they thought and thought and then said, 'Let's turn instead!' Five little monkeys turning on the bed They all fell down and bumped their heads Mama called the doctor; the doctor said, 'No more monkeys turning on the bed!' So they thought and thought and then said, 'Let's jump outside!' Five little monkeys jumping on the lawn They just kept jumping on and on The doctor told mama, 'There's nothing wrong Just let those monkeys keep jumping on the lawn!' Let them jump, jump, jump Then all fall down!' Instrumental: Sing the song referring to the number of people in your group. For example, if there are twenty children in your class, sing 'Twenty little monkeys jumping on the bed.' What other ways could the monkeys move? What other animals could you pretend to be? Sing the song using your ideas. I'M A PRETZEL Put your hand over your head. Put your shoulder under your chin. Touch your leg with your toes. Put your wrist in back of your spine. Can you hold this shape and twist a little? ... bend a little? See if you can make the whole shape move with the music. Can you hold the shape and bounce? ... sway? ... travel across the room? My hand is over my head My shoulder is under my chin My toes are touching my leg And my wrist is in back of my spine Chorus: I twist a little here and bend a little there And now I think you will agree I hardly look like me ... I'm a pretzel, I'm a pretzel But please don't eat me up I'm not a snack inside a sack On top of your T.V. I'm a pretzel, I'm a pretzel But please don't eat me up I'm just pretend,oh yes, my friend ; Don't try to chew on me My thumb is under my ear My hand is holding my elbow My arm is stuck on my leg And my ankle is behind my knee (repeat chorus) Instrumental: Select body parts and positions to create your own pretzel. SO BIG Close your eyes and picture yourself as a newborn baby. You can also picture a baby sister or brother if you have one. Now I'm going to ask you some questions. If the answer is 'yes,' say it three times: 'yes, yes, yes.' If the answer is 'no,' say it three times: 'no, no, no.' Is a baby bigger than a kitten?... a mitten? ... an apple when it's ripe for pickin'? Picture your mother. Is she bigger than a fly? ... The sky?... a slice of blueberry pie? This song also asks questions about your father, and in the last verse asks about you! Try moving as you sing. Jump up and down each time you say 'yes.' Twist side to side as you say 'no,no,no.' When you sing 'so big,' reach up and out, lengthen your spine, and make yourself 'soooo' big. How big is baby; how big can she be? Is she bigger than a kitten? Yes, yes, yes Is she bigger than a mitten? Yes, yes, yes Is she bigger than an apple when it's ripe for pickin'? Yes, yes, yes Baby's So - big, So - big Look and you will see baby's so, so, big How big is mother; how big can she be? Is she bigger than a fly? Yes, yes, yes Is she bigger than the sky? No, no, no Is she bigger than a slice of blueberry pie? Yes, yes, yes Mother's So - big, So - big Look and you will see mother's so, so, big How big is father; how big can he be? Is he bigger than a snail? Yes, yes, yes Is he bigger than a whale? No, no, no Is he bigger than a feather in a peacock's tail? Yes, yes, yes Father's So - big, So - big Look and you will see father's so, so, big How big are you my friend; how big can you be? Are you bigger than a flea? Yes, yes, yes Are you bigger than the sea? No, no, no Are you bigger than the wings on a bumble bee? Yes, yes, yes You are So - big, So - big Look and you will see you are so, so, big Instrumental: Use the names of people in your class. Think of other things people could be bigger or smaller than. For a variation sing, Is she/he smaller than a ____?' ROCK AND ROLL FREEZE DANCE When you hear the music, dance any way you want. When the music stops, freeze like a statue. Add variety to your dancing by finding all the ways you can to move (jump, twist, turn, wiggle, swing, sway, etc.) and by changing level and direction. Jumpin' around with the rock and roll music Dancin' any way we please Swingin' and swayin' as the band keeps playin' But when the music stops, we FREEZE... Twistin' and turnin' like a twirlin' top And when we hear a pause, we STOP... Just movin' along with a good old fashioned rock and roll song Singin' dance to the music Leavin' our troubles and worries behind Singin' dance to the music All we wanna do is have a good time We're doin it together my friends and I So happy and I'll tell you why We're movin' along with a good old fashioned rock and roll song Instrumental: Wiggle just your fingers; when the music stops, freeze. What other parts of your body could you wiggle with the music? Now wiggle your whole body and freeze when the music stops. Can you think of other ways to move? Stand and walk around the room; stop when the music stops. Can you find other ways to travel with the music? BABY CHICKIE Curl up and make yourself tiny. Imagine you're a baby chick squished inside an egg. As you grow bigger you feel cramped because you can hardly fit in the shell. So you peck at the shell, stretch and squirm, until you break the egg. You then gleefully hatch and explore the world around you. Little, bitty chickie curled within the egg Growing bigger day by day It's getting squished inside and won't be satisfied Until it's time to come outside and play Peck, chickie, peck, Stretch out your neck, Squirm about and shake each leg, Tap your beak and wiggle Push real hard and jiggle Until you crack the shell and break the egg Welcome to the world, baby chickie Walk about and see what's all around Peck a little here and peck a little there And let us hear your merry peeping sound Instrumental: Are there other animals that hatch from eggs. Could you pretend to be an ostrich? ... a dinosaur? ... what else? WHEN I'M DOWN I GET UP AND DANCE Act out the feelings and do the motions described in this song. Respond to the changes in tempo and rhythm showing sad and happy ways of moving. When the rain is falling and I'm stuck inside the house When friends are on vacation far away When I see a movie that's so sad it makes me cry I have a little trick that saves the day When I'm down, I get up and dance Kicking up my shoes and shaking off the blues When I'm low, I reach for the stars Soaring through the space with a smile upon my face Dancing's really easy when you see the simple parts There's stepping, and hopping, and bending, and stretching - Oh, when I'm down, I get up and dance Wouldn't you like to join me, too? When I'm sad I start out moving like a drooping willow tree When I'm mad I'm like a bull stung by a bee I dance the feelings out and the sun shines in And my heart starts picking up the beat Oh, when I'm down, I get up and dance Twirling 'round and 'round and rolling on the ground When I'm low I reach for the stars Soaring through the space with a smile upon my face Dancing's really easy when you see the simple parts There's twisting, and swinging, and jumping, and leaping - Oh, when I'm down I get up and dance Wouldn't you like to join me, Wouldn't you like to join me, too? Instrumental: Create your own motions, and find your own ways to respond to the changes in mood, tempo and rhythm. TEN WIGGLE WORMS - Part I Imagine your fingers are ten wiggly worms. They start down in the ground and come up to play in the sun. Using your fingers, act out the motions described in this song. When a bird swoops down from the sky to catch the worms, quickly lower your fingers to pantomime the worms wiggling underground to safety. Ten wiggle worms slither up from the earth, Takin' in the sun each and every one, They all get together and wiggle to the side They all get together and wiggle to the other side Five wiggle forward and five wiggle backward They all come together and tangle in a pile Gush! Smush! Ten wiggle worms all tangled in a pile Five wiggle left and five wiggle right They all come together and tangle in a pile Gush! Smush! Ten wiggle worms all tangled in a pile A bird swoops down - Ten wiggle worms slither back down And hide in the ground all safe and sound! TEN WIGGLE WORMS - Part II Start with wiggling your fingers and lifting one hand as five wiggle worms come up to play in the sun; then lift your other hand as five more follow to make ten worms playing in the sun. They all get together and wiggle to the right, then the left. A bird swoops down from the sky and snatches five worms. Another bird flies down and snatches four worms. When a bird swoops down to catch the last worm, quickly lower your finger to pantomime the last little worm wiggling safely underground. Five wiggle worms slither up from the earth Five little friends slither up to make ten They all get together and wiggle to the right, They all get together and wiggle to the left A bird swoops down and snatches up five How many left, what do you say? ___ what? ____ what? Five wiggle worms left playin' in the sun A bird swoops down and snatches up four How many left, what do you say? ___ what? ____ what? One wiggle worm left playin' in the sun A bird swoops down - Last little worm slithers back down And hides in the ground all safe and sound! Instrumental: Make up your own wiggle worm movements and math problems. JACK IN THE BOX (Showing real jack-in-the-box) Who knows what this is called? Listen to the music as I turn the crank. When the clown jumps out of the box, jump up and freeze. Now imagine you are inside a jack-in-the-box. Make yourself small so you can fit. Instead of a clown, pretend you're a pony. When you hear the words 'Pop goes the pony!', jump up and gallop around the room. When the music stops, curl up inside your box and get ready to pretend to be something else. What's inside the jack-in-the-box? Soon we all shall see Turn the crank and out it jumps; Pop goes the pony! Galloping out so happily, To the merry melody 'Round and 'round the room it runs; Pop goes the pony! What's inside the jack-in-the-box? Soon we all shall see Turn the crank and out it jumps; Pop goes the blue jay! Soaring out from tree to tree, To the merry melody 'Round and 'round the room it flies; Pop goes the blue jay! (slowly) What's inside the jack-in-the-box? Soon we all shall see Turn the crank and out it jumps; Pop goes the turtle! Creeping out so leisurely, To the merry melody 'Round and 'round the room it crawls; Pop goes the turtle! (quickly) What's inside the jack-in-the-box? Soon we all shall see Turn the crank and out it jumps; Pop goes the rabbit! Racing out so rapidly, To the merry melody 'Round and 'round the room it hops; Pop goes the rabbit! Instrumental: What other animals could you pretend to be as you pop out of the jack-in-the-box? Can you think of an animal that moves slowly? ... quickly? ... that is heavy? ... light? ... that flies? ... swims?. Sing the song using your own ideas. GROWING Sway from side to side with the music. Each time you hear the words 'grow, grow, grow,' lift your hands higher and higher in the air. With the first verse, make yourself small, and pretend you are a tiny little seed that slowly grows to a great big tree. During the second verse, act out the growth of a baby by crawling, walking, talking, and running. Chorus: There are so many things that grow, grow, grow So many things that grow, grow, grow There are flowers and trees and chimpanzees Mice and rats and little kitty cats There are monkeys and parrots, peas and carrots And boys and girls all over the world Now let's start with a tiny little seed That slowly grows and becomes a tree And the little twigs and branches become big limbs With leaves that sway and rustle in the wind With leaves that sway and rustle in the wind Repeat Chorus Now we all started out as a tiny little baby And we grew a little bit and then we could crawl And we grew a little more and then we could walk And we grew a little more and then we could talk And we grew a little more and we could run like the wind Repeat Chorus Instrumental: Can you sing along without hearing the words? Name all the things you can think of that grow. Act out the growth of something you choose and we'll try to guess what you are. BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE Clap your hands then stamp your feet with the bluegrass band. As each instrument solos, do the following motions: jump and spin with the violin; hop and grin with the mandolin; step and swing as the banjos ring; run in place when you hear the bass and fall down with the guitar sound. Freeze when the music stops. When the music starts again, jump up and repeat all the motions. Clap, clap, clap, clap, Clap your hands with the bluegrass band Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp, Stamp your feet with the bluegrass beat Jump and spin with the violin Hop and grin with the mandolin Step and swing as the banjos ring Run in place when you hear the bass Now as you hear the guitar sound Everybody all fall down! (Repeat entire song) Instrumental: Create your own way of moving with each instrument. TEDDY BEAR PLAY TIME Gently throw and catch your teddy bear. Turn around once and jump three times. Balance your teddy bear on your head and walk around the room. Stop and put your bear on each body part named in the song. Throw your teddy bear and catch Turn around, turn around, jump, jump, jump Throw your teddy bear and catch Turn around, turn around, jump, jump, jump Put it on your head and walk around the room Put it on your head and walk around the room Put it on your shoulder Put it on your elbow Put it on your knee Put it on your back now Put it on your stomach Put it on your fingers Put it on your foot Put it on your arm now Put it on your head and walk around the room Put it on your head and walk around the room (Repeat First Verse) Instrumental: Can you find other parts of your body on which you can place your bear? Do you have other stuffed animimals with which you could play this game? What else could you throw and catch? (Some things you can try: playground ball, wadded up paper ball, rolled up socks, yarn ball etc.) Sing this song again using your ideas. For example: 'Bounce the rubber ball and catch.' Note: You can also do this activity with a bean bag using the song, THE BEAN BAG from the recording CAN A JUMBO JET SING THE ALPHABET. PUT YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR Move with the rhythm of the music, and add your own movements as you follow the directions in this song. Put your hands up in the air Put your hands down on your nose Put your hands up in the air Now bend down and touch your toes Everybody turn around Now let's all jump up and down Put your right hand in the air Put your right hand on your lips Put your left hand in the air Now put both hands on your hips Everybody turn around Now let's all jump up and down Tip toe quietly to your seat Don't let anyone hear your feet Put your hands down in your lap Bow your head and take a nap Instrumental: What other body parts could you put up in the air? Can you put your foot in the air? Can you put your elbow in the air? Lower your elbow and find and contact it with a different part of your body. Sing this song again using your ideas. For example: Put your elbow in the air Put your elbow on your knee Put you thumbs up in the air Bring them down and touch your heels BIG THINGS COME FROM LITTLE THINGS YOU DO Everything we do is a series of small tasks. To build something with blocks you put the blocks in place one at a time. What are the steps for making a cake? ... preparing for a birthday party? ... growing a garden? ... What things do you like to make or do? What are the steps you take to reach your goal? Act out the tasks described in this song. Each time you hear the word 'big,' make a big shape with your body, and each time you hear the word 'little,' make a small shape. Step by step, bit by bit, Piece by piece, dreams come true Big things come from little things you do Clear some space, bring your blocks Stack them up to build a house Big things come from little things you do One by one, each step you take Makes your wish come true Pour the mix, crack an egg Stir in milk then bake a cake Big things come from little things you do Call your friends, hang balloons Plan some birthday party games Big things come from little things you do One by one, each step you take Makes your wish come true Makes your wish come true Dig the ground, plant some seeds Spray the hose, a garden grows Big things come from little things - Big things come from little things - Big things come from little things you do Credits Producers: Tom Perry, Miriam Mayer, Hap Palmer Arranger: Miriam Mayer Recording Engineers: Tom Perry, John Slattery Lead Vocals: Hap Palmer Background Vocals: Karen Harper, Marsha Skidmore, Luana Jackman, Hap Palmer Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer: Steve Kaplan Bass: Jim Garafalo Drums: Tom Walsh Guitars: Grant Geissman, Hap Palmer Flutes: Suzanne Teng, Jon Kip Saxophones: Jon Kip, Miriam Mayer, Hap Palmer Trumpet: Stu Blumberg Percussion: Brian Kilgore Violin: Miriam Mayer Banjo, Mandolin: Grant Geissman Children's Chorus Director: Tricia Billes Children's Chorus: Aleza Axelrod, Arianna Axelrod, Danielle Bateman, Patrick Billes, Sonja Billes, Brette Gentry, Logan Gentry, Lisa Hill, Jessica Hillard, Gena Inkeles, Sky LaBrot, Sondra Lanutti, Buckley Mitchell, Talor Mitchell, Jessica Nelson, Jody Rollins, Tami Rollins, Blake Stevens, Robben Wilson-Anger. Illustrations: Carol Schumacher Onaitis Guidebook Editors: Paula Benjamin Little, Betty Williams, Raelynne Rein Educational Consultants: Angelia Leung, Kelly Palmer All Songs by Hap Palmer © Hap-Pal Music ©Hap-Pal Music. All rights reserved. These songs and activities are for the personal use of parents and teachers only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Hap-Pal Music, Box 323 Topanga, CA 90290 e-mail: hap@netwood.net.