Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost
Frosty aka Build a Snowperson
Supplies: A roll of toilet paper for each team Sheet of orange, black, red and yellow construction paper for each team Hat for each team A few Glue sticks for each team Scissors for each team
How To Play: Have several teams of four or five children. When you say, "GO" they should wrap one of the people on their team up in toilet paper (leaving an opening for nose and eyes). Once they've built their "Frosty" they can use the hat and construction paper to decorate him with. Put a time limit on decorating. Give a prize for the first completed Frosty, most unique Frosty, cutest Frosty, etc.
Snowshoe Relay Race
Supplies: Wrapped Tootsie Rolls or any other small treat(1 for each child) 2 Shoe boxes for each team Bell for each team 2 mittens for each team 2 bowls for each team
Place tootsie rolls, in a bowl, at the opposite end of the room. Hang a bell, from the ceiling, over the tootsie roll bowl.
How To Play: Divide the children into two or more relay teams. Explain that when you say, "GO" the first person on each team will put on the mittens, step into the shoe boxes and race to the other end of the room where they will ring the bell with their nose. They are then to pick up a tootsie roll out of the bowl and race back to their team still wearing their mittens and shoe boxes. Pass the mittens and shoe box to the next person in line, sit down, eat your tootsie roll. The first team to finish eating their tootsie rolls wins!
Snowball Over the Mountain
Supplies: Sheet White balloons blown up 2 adults to help
How To Play: Children are divided into two teams. A sheet (the mountain) is held above eye level between the two groups by the 2 adults (holding each end). Or you can find a way to pin it to the wall or hang across a cord. Each side throws snowballs (white balloons) over to the other side. It's alot like volley ball but you need not keep score.
Snowball Relay Race
Supplies: Styrofoam ball for each team Plastic Spoon (shovel) for each team
How To Play: Divide into teams. First child on each team will be given a styrofoam ball (snowball) and a spoon (shovel). On your mark they are to bend over, place the ball on the floor, and push the ball with the spoon across the room, around an obstacle, and back to next child on team. First team to finish wins.
Snowball Making
Supplies: Large sheets of tissue paper (one for every child) Bucket for each team
How To Play: Divide the children into two teams. The first person on each team gets a piece of tissue paper and crumples it into a ball using one hand (this keeps them soft). Then races to the end of the room to place the snowball in the bucket. The next child repeats the first child's actions and the process continues until the team has all their snowballs made. Follow this game with a Snowball Throw below.
Snowball Throw
Supplies: A line drawn or taped on the floor
How To Play: Set a time for 2-3 minutes. Yell, "GO"! Each team throws their tissue paper snowballs back and forth across the lines. When the timer goes off, the team with the least amount of snowballs on their side wins.
Old Mother Grey, may we go out to play? Mother Gray: 'No, it's raining'. Children: "No, it isn't, the sun is shining Mother Grey: "All right, you may go out to play'.
[The children rush off, and play around, perhaps moving out of sight.]
Old Mother Grey calls: "Children, it's dinner time!" Children: 'Coming mother.' Mother: 'Where have you been?' Children: 'We've been to London to see the Queen.' Mother: 'What did she give you?' Children: 'A loaf of bread as big our head, a piece if cheese as big as our knees, a lump of jelly as big as our belly, and a teeny weeny six pence." Mother: "Where's my share? Children: 'Up in the air.' Mother; 'How shall I get it?' Children; 'Stand on a chair. Mother; 'And if I fall?' Children all laugh and shout out: "We don't care."
[Old Mother Grey runs after them, and whoever she catches becomes the next 'Mother'.]
Source: Source: Iona and Peter Opie: Children's Games in Street and Playground; [Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1969; pp. 307-308
Here's a variant from the Caribbean:
WE DON'T CARE
Children, children Yes, Mama. Where yo' been to? Granmama. What she give yo'? Two apples. Where yo' put them? On the shelf. How will yo' get them? Stand on a chair.
[As the "children" answer "Mama" they creep closer and closer to her until finally "Mama" turns and chases them"].
Source: Grace Hallworth: "Down By The River: Afro-Caribbean Rhymes, Games and Songs for Children" [New York Scholastic Inc, 1996]
Lydia Maria Child was a novelist, journalist and a teacher. "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day," most often called "Over the River and Through the Woods" was originally a poem written by Lydia Maria Child. It celebrates her childhood memories of visiting her Grandfather's House. The Thanksgiving song/poem originally appeared in Flowers for Children, volume 2, in 1844.
Over the river, and through the wood, To Grandmother's house we go; The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood - Oh, how the wind does blow! It stings the toes and bites the nose As over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood, To have a first-rate play. Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding", Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river, and through the wood Trot fast, my dapple-gray! Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound, For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood - And straight through the barnyard gate, We seem to go extremely slow, It is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood - Now Grandmother's cap I spy! Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
I tell a similar tale titled "Better Wait Til Martin Comes". The kids and adults love it!! This story is from a 1970's record album called "Scary Spooky Stories". Happy Halloween!
This is a traditional call and response song that is most often associated with singer Ella Jenkins. It's one of her signature songs. The song is actually more of a rhythmic chanting than singing. I've given you two versions. The first is a more contempary version and the second I found in Negro Folk Rhymes: Wise and Otherwise written by Thomas Washington Talley published in 1922
Leader: Did you feed my cow? Group: Yes ma'am! (nod head)
Leader: Will you tell me how? Group: Yes ma'am!
Leader: What did you give her? Group: Corn and hay.
Leader: What did you give her? Group: Corn and hay.
Leader: Did you milk her good? Group: Yes ma'am!
Leader: Did you do like you should? Group: Yes ma'am!
Leader: How did you milk her? Group: Swish, swish swish! (pretend you are milking a cow)
Leader: How did you milk her? Group: Swish, swish swish!
Leader: Did that cow die? Group: Yes ma'am!
Leader: With a pain in her eye? Group: Yes ma'am!
Leader: How did she die? Group: Uh, uh, uh! (shake head 3 times)
Leader: How did she die? Group: Uh, uh, uh!
Leader: Did the buzzards come? Group: Yes ma'am.
Leader: Did the buzzards come? Group: Yes m'am.
Leader: How did they come? Group: Flap, flap, flap! (Flap arms like wings)
Leader: How did they come? Group: Flap, flap, flap!
DID YOU FEED MY COW?
Did you feed my cow? Yes, Mam! Will you tell me how? Yes, Mam!
Oh, w'at did you give her? Cawn and hay. Oh, w'at did you give her? Cawn and hay.
Did you milk her good? Yes, Mam! Did you do like you should? Yes, Mam!
Oh, how did you milk her? Swish! Swish! Swish! Oh, how did you milk her? Swish! Swish! Swish!
Did dat cow get sick? Yes, Mam! Wuz she kivered with tick? Yes, Mam!
Oh, how was she sick? All bloated up! Oh, how was she sick? All bloated up!
Did dat cow die? Yes, Mam! Wid a pain in her eye? Yes, Mam!
Oh, how did she die? Uh-! Uh-! Uh-! Oh, how did she die? Uh-! Uh-! Uh-!
Did de buzzards come? Yes, Mam! Fer to pick her bone? Yes, Mam!
Oh, how did they come? Flop! Flop! Flop! Oh, how did they come? Flop! Flop! Flop!
It's my birthday!!!! Yeah...really...it is! So I decided to put up a fun story about a little girl looking for the perfect birthday gift.
Nikini was a little girl. She lived with her mother and father, in a house near the woods. She was very friendly with the animals in the woods. One evening, Nikini’s father came home with a big gift box.
“What’s that, Thatha?” Nikini asked her father.
“It’s your mother’s birthday tomorrow,” her father said.
“Oh!” Nikini was very upset.
“How could I forget my Amma’s birthday? She would never forget mine. So I should give her a wonderful gift,” Nikini thought.
“But what shall I give her?” She went into her bedroom and thought. She loved her mother so much that she couldn’t think of anything good enough for a gift for her. She thought and thought until nightfall, but she couldn’t think of anything.
Then a firefly, seeing Nikini by the window, flew to her. “Nikini, what are you doing in the dark?” the firefly asked. “Firefly, it’s my Amma’s birthday tomorrow. She loves me very much. She makes me very happy on my birthdays. So I want to make her happy on her birthday. I want to give her the ‘greatest’ gift of all. But I can’t think of anything as great as my Amma,” said Nikini, sadly.
“I think you should give her the ‘biggest’ gift. Something like the sky, or the ocean,” said the firefly.
Nikini thought for a moment. “Dear firefly, the biggest thing in the world is my Amma’s love. So, I would like to find a gift as big as her love. But how can I find it?” said Nikini.
“You are a very good daughter who tries to give the biggest gift to her mother. So, I will help you. Let’s go out and find it,” the firefly said.
Nikini went out in the dark with the firefly. The firefly showed her the way. They went to the woods. They searched and searched, but they couldn’t find anything as big as her mother’s love.
On the way, a mynah bird who was about to go to sleep, saw Nikini. “Nikini, where are you going in the dark?” the mynah bird asked. “Mynah bird, it’s my Amma’s birthday tomorrow. She loves me very much. She cooks and cleans and works hard with no rest. Her love is the biggest thing in the world for me. So, I should give her the ‘biggest’ gift. But I still couldn’t find anything as big as my Amma’s love,” Nikini said sadly.
“No, I think you should give her the ‘most beautiful’ gift, something like beautiful flowers, beautiful pearls,” the bluebird said. Nikini thought for a moment.
“Dear mynah bird, the most beautiful thing in the world is my Amma. So, I would like to find a flower or a pearl as beautiful as my Amma. But where can I find it?” asked Nikini. “You are a very good daughter. So I will help you,” said the mynah bird and away they went. They went on and on but couldn’t find anything as beautiful as her mother.
They went on until Nikini stumbled upon a rabbit who was fast asleep. “Oh, Nikini, where are you going in the dark?” asked the rabbit, rubbing his eyes.
“Rabbit, it’s my Amma’s birthday tomorrow. She loves me very much. She feeds me, cuddles me and holds me close until I fall asleep. She is the most beautiful thing in the world. So I should give her the ‘most beautiful’ gift. But I still couldn’t find anything as beautiful as my Amma,” said Nikini sadly. “No, I think you should give her the ‘most precious’ gift in the world, something as precious as the moon and the stars,” said the rabbit.
Nikini thought for a moment. “Dear rabbit, the most precious thing in the world is my Amma. Even if I hang the moon on a necklace, even if I make stars into earrings, they are not as precious as she is. I want to find something as precious as my Amma. But how can I find it?” asked Nikini sadly.
“You are a very good daughter. I will help you find it.” The rabbit went along with the firefly, the mynah bird and Nikini. They went on and on, but they couldn’t find anything as precious as her mother.
On their way, she got entangled in a huge cobweb. Then the spider, who was having a sweet dream in the middle of the night, got up. “Oh, Nikini, where are you going in the dark?” the spider asked.
“Spider, it’s my Amma’s birthday tomorrow. She loves me very much. When I am sick she cries and looks after me without sleep until I get well. She is the most precious thing in the world for me. So I should give her the ‘most precious’ gift. But I can’t find anything as precious as my Amma,” Nikini said sadly.
“No, I think you should give her the gift that would make her ‘the happiest’,” said the spider. . “Oh, what would make her happiest?” Nikini thought and thought.
“Something like a delicious cake, a lovely birthday card, a nice pair of shoes, a colorful dress…?” Nikini thought for a while.
“Oh, a beautiful sari!! I think she would like a beautiful sari most. I want to give her the most beautiful sari in the world. I want to find the most beautiful sari for her. And I want to give it to her as she wakes up in the morning and say, “Happy birthday!” But how can I find it? There’s only a little time left, until morning,” Nikini said, impatiently.
“Nikini, you are a great daughter who thinks so much about her mother. Some children don’t even care about their mother’s birthday. They remember about their own birthdays and gifts only. So I will weave a very beautiful sari for you,” said the spider and she started weaving a beautiful sari.
Nikini was very tired after walking all over the woods and not sleeping the whole night. But she was so happy that she didn’t feel sleepy at all. She helped the spider weave the most beautiful sari for her mother.
The firefly flew far away and brought back beautiful flowers to decorate it. The rabbit ran around the woods and brought beautiful colors from flowers, to paint the sari with. The mynah bird shook the branches of trees and they shed dewdrops on it.
Finally, they had made the most beautiful sari in the world. The flowers looked lovely on it, the colors were the prettiest shades, and the dewdrops glittered like gems and pearls.
“This is very beautiful…the most beautiful sari I have ever seen. Amma would surely love this,” Nikini yelled with excitement. They were all happy.
“Let’s go…let’s give this to Amma and wish her a happy birthday,” said Nikini. She hurried towards home with her friends.
As they got halfway, a strong wind blew across the woods and it started to rain heavily. They tried their best to protect the sari from the rain and the wind. But they failed. The sari was torn into pieces.
“Oh, noooooooo!” Nikini screamed. She was so sad that she cried and cried, while getting soaked in the rain.
The dawn arrived, and the sun rose. She heard a voice calling out. “Nikini…Nikini!” someone was shouting.
It was Nikini’s mother, who was searching for her missing daughter. Just then, she saw Nikini crying under a tree. She came running to Nikini.
“Oh, my darling, where have you been? Why are you crying?” she asked.
“Amma, I went searching for a birthday gift for you. I searched for the greatest gift for you, but I couldn’t find it. I searched for the biggest gift for you, but I couldn’t find it. I searched for the most beautiful gift for you, but I couldn’t find it. I searched for the most precious gift for you, but I couldn’t find it. So finally, my friends made me a gift which you would like most. It was a very beautiful sari. But it got caught by the wind and was torn into pieces. I’m so sad that I couldn’t give it to you and make you happy,” Nikini said, still sobbing.
“My darling, do you know what is the most beautiful, most precious and the greatest thing to me? That is my little daughter. What I like most is her love. The love I felt from you today is the greatest, biggest, most precious and the most beautiful gift I’ve ever had in my life,” said her mother and she hugged her.
Nikini was very happy and so were her friends.
All of them went home with her, to celebrate the birthday.
Every person, according to an ancient legend, is born into the world with two bags suspended from their neck.
One bag hangs down our back and one bag hangs in the front.
The bag in front is full of our neighbors' faults.
The bag hanging down our back is a large bag filled with our own faults.
That is why people are quick to see the faults of others, and yet are often blind to their own failings.
*Alms Bag or Besace - A Beggars Bag. A cylindrical bag with an opening in centre, forming two pouches. It was usually carried over a shoulder.
**(the purse shown at the top of the blog is known as a miser's, or beggar's, bag and came into fashion at the end of the 18th century; it was used by men and women until the early part of the 20th century to hold money. The two silver rings, or sliders, cover the center opening and can be moved to hold the coins in the bag.)
As I am sure I have mentioned before, or at least I should have, I love poems and poetry. And I have quite a few favorite poems and poets. One of my favorite writer's of children's poetry is Shel Silverstein.
Born Sheldon Alan Silverstein, September 25, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, "Shel" Silverstein was an American poet, songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He wrote 3 books of poetry for children Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974), A Light in the Attic (1981)and Falling Up (1996).
Just an interesting aside, Shel Silverstein also wrote the music and the lyrics for the following songs: "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash, "The Unicorn" which is popular in Irish pubs all over the world, "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" a song performed by Dr. Hook.
The following poem can be found in his book "Where the Sidewalk Ends". "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me, Too" is a wonderful poem. It's fun to say, the children love the rhyme and the images that it creates. It is also a marvelous poem to act out. There are so many places for the children use their imagination.
If you have the time and the facilities, why not go a step further and have the kids make Mulligan Stew!(It's mentioned in the poem :)
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too, Went for a ride in a flying shoe, "Hooray!" "What fun!" "It's time we flew!" Said Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.
Ickle was captain, Pickle was crew, And Tickle served coffee and mulligan stew As higher And higher And higher they flew, Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too, Over the sun and beyond the blue. "Hold on!" "Stay in!" "I hope we do!" Cried Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.
Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too Never returned to the world they knew, And nobody knows what's happened to Dear Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.
Written by Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)
I know from experience that your average child will ask you what mulligan stew is as soon as you finish the poem, if not sooner. So here is your answer (just in case you did not know, I didn't.)
Mulligan stew is a kind of dish said to have been prepared by hobos in camps in the early 1900s. Usually, it includes meat, potatoes, vegetables, and whatever else can be found. The hobo who put it together was known as the "mulligan mixer". A stew is generally difined as being made, literally, of "whatever is on hand" including meat, potatoes and vegetables in any combination.
I have included 2 different stew recipes. Enjoy!
Campfire Mulligan Stew Ingredients : Method : In small amount of hot fat in heavy frying pan, brown: 1 pound stew meat, cut in small pieces Add: 1 tsp. salt Stir in: 1 can condensed tomato soup 1 can water Cover tightly and let cook slowly until tender (about 1-1/2 hours). If fire gets too hot, take from heat occasionally to keep at a simmer. When the meat is tender, add: 3 carrots, cut in thick slices 3 potatoes, quartered 3 onions, halved Continue cooking slowly about 30 minutes. If there is not enough juice, add water during cooking. If too thin take off lid and cook sauce until thickened. 4 to 6 servings Recipe from the Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls
Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe Ingredients - 4 each potatoes, chopped into bite size pieces - 1 each onion, chopped - 1 pound carrots, sliced - pound stew meat - 1 can tomato soup - 2/3 cup water - 1 package stew seasoning
Directions Cut the vegetables and meat into bite sized pieces. Mix the stew seasoning with the water. Place the meat on the bottom of the crock, cover with vegetables. Pour the soup and stew seasoning mixture over all. Cook in the crock pot on high for 6 hours or low 10 hours. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 6 or more hours Servings: 6 http://www.recipetips.com/recipe-cards/u--3732/easy-crock-pot-beef-stew.asp
I looooove these songs! Let's face it....I love most of ...okay all of the songs I sing.
This evening I decided I "needed" a cookie. Fortunately, I keep cookie dough around for just such an emergency. So I got out the pan and "made" a few chocolate chip cookies. Yummmmm! Which is what got me thinking about cookie songs.
The first three songs I thought of were these..."C is for Cookie" (a classic)..."I'm A Little Cookie" (a sleeper song but a good one) and , well, the last song is more like a chant and it's a game...the ever popular "Who Stole the Cookie From the Cookie Jar". At the end of this blog are some good cookie recipes for kids.
I'm a Little Cookie is a great song about differences and tolerance. A version of this song can be heard on John McCutcheon's Mail Myself to You CD. This is where I first heard it.
I'M A LITTLE COOKIE
I'm a little cookie, yes I am And I was made by the cookie man And on my way from the cookie pan A little piece broke off of me A little piece broke off of me, uh-huh A little piece broke off of me, uh-huh But I can taste just as good, uh-huh As a regular cookie can
I'm a little chocolate bar, I am And I was made by the chocolate bar man And on my way to the chocolate stand I got a little bend in me I got a little bend in me, uh-huh I got a little bend in me, uh-huh But I can taste just as good, uh-huh As a regular chocolate bar can
I'm a little tootsie roll, yes I am And I was made by the tootsie roll man And on my way from the tootsie roll land I got a little twist in me I got a little twist in me, uh-huh I got a little twist in me, uh-huh But I can taste just as good, uh-huh As a regular tootsie roll can
I'm a little gum drop, yes I am And I was made by the gum drop man On my way from the sugar can I got a little dent in me I got a little dent in me, uh-huh I got a little dent in me, uh-huh But I can taste just as good, uh-huh As a regular gum drop can
Oh, I'm a little cookie, yes I am And I was made by the cookie man And on my way from the cookie pan A little piece broke off of me Now I ain't as round as I might be But I taste good just wait and see And I can love back twice as hard As a regular cookie can
Words and Music by Larry Penn (c) Larry Penn
And here is everyone's favorite cookie loving monster....
Who Stole the Cookies is a fun game and a marvelous song for helping kids learn to keep a steady beat. Children pat a steady rhythm on their thighs while chanting the song. Older child can do a pat...clap...pat...clap rhythm. Have kids sit in a circle. Begin the game by going in order around the circle. Once the kids understand how the game works you can move into choosing students at random.
Accuser/Group: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? (name of a child in the circle) stole the cookie from the cookie jar. Accused: Who me? Accuser/Group: Yes, you! Accused: Not Me, Couldn't be! Accuser/Group: Then who?
This can go on and on until the last person or a designated person (usually the teacher in the beginning) says Who me?...Kids: Yes You!....Teacher/Thief: Possibly! and then you bring out the cookie.
I could explain every step of teaching and playing the game but I found this lovely vid at my favorite place (YOUTUBE!!!) that does an excellent job of teaching the game. The words are a little different but it is basically the same game. YOu will note that the kids are older and that the use a pat/clap instead of a steady patting of the legs which works best with younger children.
Here are a few simple cookie recipes for kids. I found these at Easy Kids Recipies But there are lots more on the net. Go explore!
Chocolate Cornflake Clusters
2 cups cornflakes, crushed 3/4 cups craisins 3/4 cups flaked almonds 3/4 cup shredded coconut 3/4 cup sweetened, condensed milk 2 cups melted milk chocolate chips, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips
Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Mix together all ingredients except chocolate chips. Line a cookie sheet with foil and grease. Spoon onto cookie sheet about 1 tablespoon per cluster.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then spread the bottom of the clusters with the melted chocolate. Let the chocolate harden, then turn clusters over and drizzle more chocolate over the top.
Cream together butter,sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and add to mixture. For oatmeal, put small amounts into blender until it turns to powder. Measure first, then blend. Add final ingredients and mix together.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheets. Make golf-ball sized cookies and place them oncookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake at 375F degrees for 6 minutes.
Old Mother Hubbard is a Nursery Rhyme classic. I'm sure that you will find some verses you remember and others that seem very odd. Like most stories or poems that were originally in the oral tradition, the poem has changed through the years. The history of the poem can be found at the end of this post.
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
Old Mother Hubbard Went to the cupboard To get her poor Dog a bone; But when she came there The cupboard was bare, And so the poor Dog had none. She went to the baker's To buy him some bread, But when she came back The poor Dog looked dead.
She went to the hatter's To buy him a hat, But when she came back He was feeding the cat.
She went to the barber's To buy him a wig, But when she came back He was dancing a jig.
She went to the joiner's To buy him a coffin, But when she came back The poor Dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish To get him some tripe, But when she came back He was smoking a pipe.
She went to the ale-house To get him some beer, But when she came back The Dog sat in a chair. She went to the tavern For white wine and red, But when she came back The Dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruiterer's To buy him some fruit, But when she came back He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor's, To buy him a coat, But when she came back He was riding a goat.
She went to the sempstress To buy him some linen, But when she came back The Dog was a-spinning. She went to the hosier's To buy him some hose, But when she came back He was dressed in his clothes.
She went to the cobbler's To buy him some shoes, But when she came back He was reading the news. The Dame made a curtsey, The Dog made a bow; The Dame said, “Your servant;” The Dog said, “Bow-wow!”
This wonderful Dog Was Dame Hubbard's delight; He could sing, he could dance, He could read, he could write.
So she gave him rich dainties Whenever he fed, And erected a monument When he was dead.
Origins of Old Mother Hubbard lyrics in British history (from: http://www.rhymes.org.uk/old_mother_hubbard.htm) The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme's words allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor history period in 16th century England. Cardinal Wolsey proved to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII, by failing to facilitate the King's divorce from Queen Katherine of Aragon who had been his queen of many years. The reason for seeking the divorce and hence the creation of the Old Mother Hubbard poem was to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn with whom he was passionately in love. In the Old Mother Hubbard song King Henry was the "doggie" and the "bone" refers to the divorce (and not money as many believe) The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church although the subsequent divorce arranged by Thomas Cramner resulted in the break with Rome and the formation of the English Protestant church and the demise of Old Mother Hubbard - Cardinal Wolsey.
An Aesop Fable retold by LLL, Storysinger/Storyteller
Once a fox, who had been running in the forest, became caught in a trap. With a great deal of pulling and tugging and pain, the fox finally escaped. Unfortunately, in order to escape the trap, the fox lost his tail.
Without his tail, the fox did not feel like himself. All the other foxes still had their big bushy tails and he felt ashamed that he was different. The fox decided to hide from everyone. While he was hiding, he thought and thought. Finally he decided that if he could convince the other foxes that being tailless was much more attractive,they would be like him and he would not feel so ashamed.
The fox quickly gathered together a large group of foxes. He told them that they too should cut off their tails. He went on to praise the joys of being tailless. How much faster he could run and how he never got caught in traps. Of course, none of this was true but he didn't care.
The fox went on like this for several minutes. Finally, one of the older foxes interrupted him saying, "If you had not lost your tail, would you still give us this advice?"
The fox, having no answer to this question, quickly ran home.
"Why the Sun and the Moon live in the Sky" is an African folktale from Nigeria. ********************************************
Long, long ago, Sun, Moon and Water were the best of friends. At that time, Sun and Moon, who were married, lived on the earth. Sun went to visit Water, almost every day, but Water never returned the visits.
Finally, Sun asked, "Water, my friend, why is it that you never come to visit?" Water replied, "Sun, I would very much like to come to visit. But you home is not big enough for me and all of my people. Were I to come visit, there would be no room left for you and your lovely wife, Moon."
Water then told Sun, "If you want me to visit you, you will have to build a very large house. But I warn you that it will have to be very, very large, as my people are numerous and take up a lot of room."
Sun was overjoyed that his good friend Water wanted to come visit. "Do not worry, my friend," he said,"I will build a huge compound so that you and your people can come visit."
Sun soon returned home, where his wife Moon greeted him with a smile. "My dearest Moon", he said "Our friend Water has promised to visit us but first we must build a larger house so that he and his people will fit." "How wonderful!" said Moon.
The next day, they began building a very large house to entertain the water and all his people. When it was finished, it was the largest house in the area.
Sun then went to ask water to come and visit him. Water said he would be there the next morning.
When Water arrived, one of his people called out "Sun, we are here. May we come in?" "Yes," said Sun "Tell my friend,Waater, that he is welcome in my home."
With those words, Water began to flow in. With Water came fish, crabs, otters and other water animals.
Soon, the water was knee-deep in the house. Water called out, " Sun do you want me and my people to continue to come in?" Together Sun and Moon answered, "Oh yes, please come in to our home." And more of Water's people poured into the house octopi, stingray, eels, starfish and more.
When the water was at the level of a man's head, Water,who was becoming a little concerned called to Sun and said, "Are you sure you want more of my people to come in?"
Wanting to be good hosts, Sun and Moon both said, "Yes, please, you are all welcome in our home." More and more of the water's people came in, seahorses, whales, eels, anemonie, sponges and more. So many that soon, Sun and Moon had to sit on top of the roof.
Once again, Water asked, "Do you wish us to continue to come in?" Sun and Moon answered "Yes,please, you are all welcome in our home." So more of Water's people came in. Sea turtles, sharks,coral shrimps, urchins, lobsters......
By now Water overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky.
Yes! It is related to storytelling. Everything is....if you try :) Stumbled on this one a few months ago. There are other characters available and you can put in any text you want. Of course, I put in a story! Enjoy....
This is a good song to use to teach babies and toddlers the names of body parts. Touch each body part named or perform the action named (clapping, kiss etc). Use your fingers or the babies fingers to count off the numbers. The first 2 verses are traditional, rest of the verses are movements I like to use. Make up more of your own. You can have your baby kick his legs, clap her feet or touch his nose.
Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3 Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3 Head and shoulders head and shoulders head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3
Knees and ankles baby 1, 2, 3 Knees and ankles baby 1, 2, 3 Knees and ankles, Knees and ankles, Knees and ankles baby 1, 2, 3
Touch your toes baby 1, 2, 3 Touch your toes baby 1, 2, 3 Touch your toes, Touch your toes, Touch your toes baby 1, 2, 3
Clap your hands baby 1, 2, 3 Clap your hands baby 1, 2, 3 Clap your hands, Clap your hands, Clap your hands baby 1, 2, 3
BLow a Kiss baby 1, 2, 3 Blow a kiss baby 1, 2, 3 Blow a kiss, Blow a kiss, Blow a kiss, baby 1, 2, 3
As children get older you can add more difficult movements. Turn around/ Jump up and down...etc.
A great song to sing to children from infancy on up. You can use a dog puppet or stuffed animal. You might also want to use pictures or stuffed animals of the other animals mentioned in the song.
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) The one with the waggley tail How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) I do hope that doggie's for sale
I must take a trip to California And leave my poor sweetheart alone If s/he has a dog s/he won't be lonesome And the doggie will have a good home
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) The one with the waggley tail How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) I do hope that doggie's for sale
I read in the papers there are robbers (roof, roof) With flashlights that shine in the dark My love needs a doggie to protect him And scare them away with one bark
I don't want a bunny or a kitty I don't want a parrot that talks I don't want a bowl of little fishies S/He can't take a goldfish for a walk
How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) The one with the waggley tail How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf) I do hope that doggie's for sale
I learned this song at Camp Togowoods in Wasilla, Alaska which is not very far from Anchorage. This is an echo song. First you, the leader sings, then the children repeat, echo, your words and movements. Hmm... I will have to add the movements later**smile**.
The Moose
There was a great big moose. (echo) He liked to drink a lot of juice. (echo) There was a great big moose. (echo) He liked to drink a lot of juice. (echo)
Chorus (each line is also echoed): Say waaaaay-Oh Way-oh, way-oh, way-oh, way-oh Way-oh, way-oh Way-oh, way-oh, way-oh, way-oh
The moose's name was Fred. (echo) He liked to drink his juice in bed. (echo) The moose's name was Fred. (echo) He liked to drink his juice in bed. (echo)
Chorus
He drank his juice with care. (echo) But he spilled some on his hair. (echo) He drank his juice with care. (echo) But he spilled some on his hair. (echo)
Chorus
Now he’s a sticky moose (echo) Full of juice (echo) On the looooooooooooooose (echo)
Chorus
This song can be found with different verses all over the net.
This is a song/poem that I learned while working at a summer camp in Alaska. I researched it and found the song to be of unknown origins and author. It's a great song for kids about diversity and tolerance. (Wish I could sing it for you!!)
I"m Proud to be Me
I'm proud to be me but I also see You're just as proud to be you. We might look at things a bit differently But lots of good people do.
That's just human nature So why should I hate you For being as human as I?
We get what we give. If we live and let live We'll both get along if we try.
I'm proud to be me, and I also see You're just as proud to be you.
"If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories. If you want your children to be really smart, tell them more stories. If you want your children to be brilliant, tell them even more stories." Albert Einstein
THE PENNY-WISE MONKEY
A Jataka Tale
Once upon a time the king of a large and rich country gathered together his army to take a faraway little country. The king and his soldiers marched all morning long and then went into camp in the forest.
When they fed the horses they gave them some peas to eat. One of the Monkeys living in the forest saw the peas and jumped down to get some of them. He filled his mouth and hands with them, and up into the tree he went again, and sat down to eat the peas.
As he sat there eating the peas, one pea fell from his hand to the ground. At once the greedy Monkey dropped all the peas he had in his hands, and ran down to hunt for the lost pea. But he could not find that one pea. He climbed up into his tree again, and sat still looking very glum. "To get more, I threw away what I had," he said to himself.
The king had watched the Monkey, and he said to himself:
"I will not be like this foolish Monkey, who lost much to gain a little. I will go back to my own country and enjoy what I now have."
And because it was easiest to do. I may try a website later. The other advantage is that its much easier to add things to a blog. I am thinking of putting up stories, songs, crafts and other fun activities or just random stuff that comes to mind. Maybe book recommendations...stuff like that. Hope you enjoy my random postings. La
Oh...here is a story for you...it's about Dandelions, my favorite flower. Yes, I know, some folks think it's a weed. WRONG!! It's a beautiful wildflower.
Long, long ago, the flowers had a huge argument about which of them was the most beautiful, the most special, the most loved by the humans and by the fairies. The argument lasted for weeks, with each flower claiming to be the most beautiful and the most loved. Finally, all of the flowers agreed to let the Flower Fairies decide.
The Flower Fairies sent they're gentlest and kindest of spirit fairy to settle the problem and to give one plant her blessing and the title of the "most perfect" flower. The little Fairy decided to test each flower by asking them one question.
The first flower the Fairy talked to was the Rose. "Where would you most like to live?" she asked it. "I would like to climb the castle wall." said the Rose. "And then kings and queens and nobles would pass by everyday and exclaim over my beauty, my scent and my delicate nature." The Flower Fairy walked sadly away from the Rose.
Next the Fairy came to a tulip, standing tall and proud. "Where would you most like to live?" she asked the Tulip. "Oh, I want to live in a public garden" said the Tulip. "Where everyday people would come and admire my wonderful colors and see how straight and tall I stand." Once again, the Fairy walked a way feeling sad.
She walked until she came to a forest. There she found some Violets. She asked them "Where would you most like to live, little Violets?" "Oh" said the violets quietly "We like it here hidden in the woods where no one can see us and where the trees keep the sun from dulling our beautiful color." The fairy thanked the Violets and walked on looking for more flowers to talk to.
She talked to the Tiger Lily who was much too wild and fierce. She talked to the Sunflower who barely answered her because all she wanted to do was be warmed by the sun. The little Flower Fairy talked to the Orchids who only wanted to be taken out to dances and she tried to talk to the Narcissus but it was too busy looking at it's reflection in the water to speak to her.
The little Fairy, with tears in her eyes, was ready to give up and go home when she came to a field with bright fluffy yellow flowers on long thin stalks. The leaves were long and jagged and very close to the ground. But the flowers....oh how happy and cheerful they looked in the field!
"Little one" said the Flower Fairy "What are you called and where would you like to live?"
"I am a dandelion" said the little flower."I'd like to live where ever there are children. I want to live beside the road, and in the meadows, and push up between the sidewalks in the cities, and make everyone feel happier when they see my bright colors." The Dandelion chattered on happily saying "I want to be the first flower that the children pick in the spring and take to their mothers. And I could tell if a child likes butter by being rubbed under their chins, and if a child makes a wish and blows my seeds, I could carry that wish on the wind."
The Flower Fairy smiled brightly and said "Little Dandelion, you are the most perfect and special flower of all and you shall have your wish! You will blossom everywhere from spring till fall, and be known as the children's flower."
And this is why the dandelion comes so early and pushes her head up everywhere with such strength and determination. And why she is so loved by children throughout her long life. (retold by LLL,Storyteller that's Me!!)
As a Storytelling Sub/Guest Teacher, I come to your daycare, preschool or in-home childcare facility and act as teacher/aide etc. I can help out for a day, a week or a month.
I can and have substituted or taught in daycares, preschools, after school care programs, elementary and middle schools.
Some of my experience includes: Substitute Teacher for 2 Schools Systems Also a Sub for a Maryland Preschool Association Former Kindermusik and Gymboree Play and Music Instructor Head Teacher for School Age Child Care Special Ed Program Music Specialist at a Montessori Preschool Program Coordinator for a Girl Scout Summer Camp Evening/Weekend Program Coordinator for a College Child Care Center Numerous years Presenting and Teaching my own Storytelling/Music Programs Many years as Nanny Volunteer Docent for the Smithsonian African Art Museum 3years
I also have... CPR & First Aide Training Mandt Training Levels 1&2 College Courses in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Human Development School Age Child Care and Developmental Delays Coursework
I can fill in for a Teacher's/Care Provider's sick day or vacation or just be a needed extra pair of hands. I provide fun and educational activities for children of many ages.
