Repeat Week--Pick a Primary Pocket

Since our song is new, it is really important to repeat it this week to help cement the words. Here's the repeat week idea for January.

Prep and Presentation:

1 Large Apron with 7-10 large pockets (you could use a T-shirt, or even make a large poster board with different pockets on it if you don't want to wear it. Anything that you can attach some pockets too.) Put this on when your time to teach is here.

7-10 objects that will represent different ways to sing the song

Small Slinky: When the child pulls it out (louder but not too loud). When it is pushed together we go soft.

Small Stuffed animal monkey: Sing the song in Oohs and Aahs (this helps them memorize the beat and melody of the music without the distraction of words.)

An Apple: Have the teachers sing the verse and then the children sing the chorus. Have the child who picked the apple give it to their teacher.

Small Toy Hammer: Have them "hammer" the beat with their fists on their palms (not hard) and do this while singing Staccato.

Paper Streamer: Have the child lead the music by waving the streamer to the time of the music

A Wiggle Worm (you can find these at the dollar store) : Use this for a surprise wiggle worm song of the child's choice

A pocket full of Letters: Have the child pick a letter. Skip whatever words in the song start with that letter.

Flashlight: Spot light a random child or teacher some time during the song. Ask them to say the next word or phrase.

Note that says, trade places: You sit down where the child was sitting and have them conduct the song.

A Large Coin: Heads boys sing, Tails girls sing (have the child who came up flip it)

There are many many more ideas you could use, so be creative and have fun with it. Some of you have asked in the past if I have them sing the entire song all the way through each time. The answer is no. I usually mix it up and try to notice right off where they are struggling. I go back and forth between first and second verse, chorus, etc. It never gets boring because it never stays the same. I tell them before we start that our goal is to be able to sing the song at the end in its entirety without the picture prompts. Jr still usually needs a bit of time, but Sr. has always gotten it. The important thing to remember is if you are having fun, they will. So don't make yourself board with it, just be spontaneous.

Have a great week.


*Orginal idea by my primary teacher when I was in primary
**Idea Adapted by thecrazychorister