Activities
The following pages contain 18 different activities relating to music and singing. Each activity follows a standard format to ensure ease of planning and implementation:
• the resources needed
• the aim(s)/concept(s)
• the process
• group size
• health and safety
• vocabulary discussion
• extension ideas
• links to the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
Key to Foundation Stage Curriculum abbreviations:
SS Stepping stones
ELG Early learning goals
PSE Personal, social and emotional development
CLL Communication, language and literacy
MD Mathematical development
KUW Knowledge and understanding of the world
PD Physical development
CD Creative development
Resources you will need
Part A
• Large plastic hoop
Part B
• Old Lady puppet (optional; see photocopiable sheet 1 on page 58)
• Animals to be fed to her (these could be small world animals, pictures or finger puppets)
Aim/concept
• To encourage imagination and develop recall
Process
• (Parts A and B) Explain to children what the activity is about.
• Sing the song ‘There Was an Old Lady’ to the children, encouraging them to listen carefully. (See photocopiable sheet 2 on page 59 for words.)
• Discuss the song: ask if they liked it, what did they like about it, and ask if they have heard it before.
Part A
• Divide the group into categories, i.e. fly, spider, bird, cat, etc.
• Ask each group to move carefully like their creature, making appropriate sounds.
• Hold the hoop upright resting on the floor (this becomes the Old Lady's mouth).
• While singing the song again with the children, ask them to move into the mouth as their creature is mentioned.
• Children who have been 'swallowed’ sit on the other side of the hoop making munching sounds as the others are eaten.
• Ask the children to recall and recount the sequence.
• Interchange the children into different categories.
Part B
• Introduce the Old Lady puppet to the children (instructions on how to make her are on photocopiable sheet 1 on page 58).
• The Old Lady tells the children about the largest meal she ever ate!
• Sing the song with the group (see photocopiable sheet 2 on page 59), feeding the creatures into her mouth as appropriate. Place the animals out of view as they are swallowed.
• Ask the children to recall and recount the sequence.
• Sing the song again and, if appropriate, allow the children to feed the Old Lady.
Vocabulary/discussion
• Discuss animal sounds and movements, e.g. buzzing, flying, creeping
• Use comparative language: similar to, smaller than, larger than, etc.
• (Part A) Use positional language: in, out, behind, through, following
• Talk about body parts and sounds relating to them: mouth, throat, tummy, swallowing, eating, chewing, crunching
Extension ideas
1. Small groups to make Old Lady puppet to use during the song.
2. Make the creatures to be swallowed using felt, fabric or card.
3. Explore other sequencing songs in the same way, e.g. ‘Old Macdonald’ (traditional words and tune).
4. Sing other songs about food and eating, e.g. ‘Naan Bread in the Oven’ (see photocopiable sheet 3 on page 60).
5. Sing the ‘There Was an Old Lady’ song again, making up ...