Mardi Gras - School Age Program

Howdy

Our Mardi Gras Program was for kids 5+ and we hosted this program at night.  Next time I think we'd consider an after school event as the turnout was low.  During any of the craft time we played the cd Jazz for Kids; Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake.  

Book - Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk

Felt - Princess and the Pea and the Pancake

Using the story The Princess and the Pea by Harriet Ziefert, I rewrote the story so that the pea is hidden under 10 pancakes, 10 splashes of maple syrup and 10 pats of butter.  I cut the shapes for each ingredient.  I passed all the shapes out randomly and then had the kids add them to a plate I brought so we could see how high the stack got. I will include the rewritten script at the bottom of the post. 

Craft - Make jester hats using the templates at the link below. You will need construction paper in three colors , scissors, glue and a stapler or tape.

Paper Jester Hat Pattern: Mardi Gras Crafts for Kids

Dance Party 2

Read about our first Dance Party.

Opening
I Know New Way to Say Hello from Exercise Party. 
 I used the tune and we added other things beyond the original lyrics. 

I know a new way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I know a new way to say hello all you do is blink your eyes
wiggle your ears
stomp your feet

but I still like the old way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I still like the old way to say hello, all I do is wave my hands

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Far, far, far, we're going to the stars (x 2)
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Far, far, far, we're going to the stars
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!

Fun, fun, fun we're going to the sun....

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re going to the moon.

Dance Party

Opening

I Know New Way to Say Hello - from Exercise Party.  I used the tune and we added other things beyond the original lyrics. 

I know a new way to say hello, say hello, say hello
I know a new way to say hello all you do is blink your eyes
wiggle your ears
stomp your feet

but i still like the old way to say hello, say hello, say hello
i still like the old way to say hello, all I do is wave my hands

Stand Up Sit Down Song by Rick Goldin
Everybody stand up
Everybody sit down
now stand up again, and turn around
you can keep standing up, but not for long
cause this is the stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down song

stand up if you're ___ years old
and sit back down again

stand up if you're ___ years old

and sit back down with your friends
(repeat until I get everyone)

Eggs Shakers 
Shaky Shaky by the Wiggles from Yummy Yummy

Mango Tree – call and answer song you can repeat with lots of other fruits

Shake, shake, the mango tree.
Shake, shake, the mango tree.

Mango yellow, mango green
Mango yellow, mango green

One for you, and one for me.
One for you, and one for me.

Book Break - If You're Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre

Zoom Zoom Zoom

Far, far, far, we're going to the stars (x 2)
If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship
Far, far, far, we're going to the stars
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast off!

Fun, fun, fun we're going to the sun....

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re going to the moon.

Bean Bags
Dance Freeze Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Micheal from Rockin' Red

Drive the Fire Truck - see the video version by the Toronto Public Library. 

Book Break - Wiggle by Doreen Cronin. Every time the book used the word wiggle the kids had to shake their bean bags. 

Jumping and Counting by Jim Gill from The Irrational Album


Closing - scarves

Wind, Oh Wind - King County Library System
wind oh wind oh wind oh wind I say
what are you blowing away today?
Scarves scarves scarves I say
I’m blowing the scarves away today

Reach Up High from Exercise Party


Laura

Disclaimer

Parachute Play

Flickr

*Look for my more recent post  Parachute Play Songs*
You will need a 10' parachute (a bigger parachute or several little parachutes would also work), scarves, bean bags or egg shakers. The concepts are presented by topic. You can share each element in whatever order works best for you and your patrons.

Books
Tap to Play by Salina Yoon

Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak

Scarves
Scarves Up Down and Around by Johnette Downing from The Second Line - Scarf Activity Songs

Scarves On Your Lap Johnette Downing from The Second Line - Scarf Activity Songs

Story Song - Big Plop by Mr. Eric and Mr. Michael from Rockin' Red. I had never heard this song before but it is a really fun alternative to Going On a Bear Hunt. We used the scarves to make the experience more vibrant but its a lot of fun without the scarves too.


Parachute
Song – Fast and Slow by Laurie Berkner from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band - The song has an alternating rhythm that will encourage the kids go change their speed but it only works if they pay attention.

Popcorn Game with Scarves - Place the scarves in the middle of the parachute. The parachute should be laying on the floor. Pretend the scarves are popcorn. Have the child crouch and hold the parachute edge. Count 1, 2 ,3 and yell popcorn. Jump up to throw the scarves in the air. This works with other soft toys or under-inflated balls.

Song - The Freeze by Greg and Steve from Kids in Motion - This works well as a free dance or you can use the scarves or beanbags. It's a pretty flexible song.

Sleeping Bag Song by Carole Peterson Stephenson from H.U.M. - Highly Usable Music - Here the tune so you can sing it yourself and see lyrics on Macaroni Soup. You can use with a large enough parachute by sitting with your legs under the fabric like it is your sleeping bag.

Rhyme - Ring Around the Rosie - Because who doesn't like falling down over and over? For some reason they always think this is hilarious and most of the adults in attendance know the words and tune.

Rhyme - All Around the Mulberry Bush - When you say 'Pop goes the weasel' you can pop up the parachute. Think about using a plush toy to play the part of the weasel.

Criss-Cross Game - This game depends a lot how your group does at following directions. With everyone standing and the parachute in hand, have the kids lift the parachute off the floor. When the parachute is overhead call out a color and have those children change places by running under the parachute. If your kids are squirrelly use a partner adult, then the parachute is lifted tap two children only to participate each time.


Beanbags 

Kids in Motion
by Greg and Steve

Bean Bag Boogie 1 by Greg and Steve from Kids in Motion - The same cd has a Bean Bag Boogie 2 if you need more content.


Then you say goodbye to the kids and you nap on the parachute.


Laura

Disclaimer