(this is a traditional West African childrens game. The words translated mean "can you do what I do". The leader sings a line and improvises the hand motions, while the children repeat the line and motion)
JE JE KULE - JE JE KULE
JE KOVISA - JE KOVISA
KOVISA LUNGA - KOVISA LUNGA
BAYA TOVISA - BAYA TOVISA
UMM, ALEYA LEYA - UMM, ALEYS LEYA
UMM ALEYA, LEYA - UMM, ALEYA LEYA
MAY THERE ALWAYS BE SUNSHINE
MAY THERE ALWAYS BE SUNSHINE(hands at chest and extend outward and upward with fingers outstretched)
BLUE SKIES(fingertips touching making a canopy overhead)
MOMMA(right hand opened with thumb touching right side of chin)
ME(point to self)
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE(hold right hand index finger in the air like a candle and wave it side to side)
I'M GONNA LET IT SHINE(hands at chest and extend outward with outsrteched fingers)
FRIENDS SONG
FRIENDS, FRIENDS (hold up pointer fingers of each hand and cross them over each other)
1,2,3 (count with pointer, middle and thumb)
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE HERE WITH ME (repeat FRIENDS sign and place hand over chest for ME)
YOU'RE MY FRIEND, YOU'RE MY FRIRND, YOU'RE MY FRIEND (point to others on each FRIEND)
YOU'RE ALL MY FRIENDS (point to everyone)
FRIENDS, FRIENDS, 123, ALL MY FRIENDS ARE HERE WITH ME (repeat above directions)
LOVE GROWS
Love Grows, 1 by 1, 2 by 2 and 4 by 4. Love Grows, round in a circle, and it comes back knocking on your front door
3 LITTLE HOT DOGS
3 Little Hot Dogs, frying in a pan The grease got hot and one went BAM. (Repeat down through)no little hot dogs and the PAN WENT BAM.
We encourage singing and gesturing for conceptual learning, cooperation, language development, harmony and fine motor coordination. Have your child teach you the songs and coresponding hand motions. We will be singing these songs randomly throughout the year at NC3.
The following songs are examples of how you can take a familiar tune and change the lyrics to fit occasions (holidays, travel destinations) and concepts (words, math, science). Singing is an excellent way to teach for its repetition and familiarity. Going along with our Autumn theme, here are a few samples developed by NC3 teachers:
Sung to the tune of ‘B-I-N-G-O’
There was a pumpkin on the farm
And it was big and round-o,
R-O-U-N-D, R-O-U-N-D, R-O-U-N-D
It sure was big and round-o
Sung to the tune of ‘TWINKLE,TWINKLE’
Twinkle, twinkle, little leaves
How you used to be so green.
Now you’re red, orange and brown,
Falling softly to the ground.
Twinkle, twinkle, little leaves,
Falling down without a sound.
Sung to tune of ‘MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB’
We picked apples, red and green, scrubbed them clean, called them Gene.
We picked apples red and green, all through the orchard.
Some additional familiar tunes… And, an NC3 favorite…
HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT
SKINAMARINK
DID YOU FEED MY COW?
I’M A LITTLE TEAPOT
EENSY WEENSY SPIDER
MISS MARY MACK
NC3 FAVORITE STORY BOOKS FOR READING & DRAMATIC PLAY…
CAPS FOR SALE
ONE FISH, TWO FISH, BLUE FISH, RED FISH
THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR
SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
IRA SLEEPS OVER
HI, PIZZA MAN
PIGS IN THE MUD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUD
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
