lyrics & activities
jack in the box #2
good morning sunshine
Good morning sunshine
Help me on my way
Good morning sunshine
Brighten up my day
Salut soleil
Tu m’as reveille
Salut soleil
Viens m’accompagner
I know today’s gonna be fun [echo]
I’m gonna get things done [echo]
Got a lot of work to do [echo]
And discover something new [echo]
Gonna see my friends today [echo]
Many things that we can play [echo]
activities
Make some ‘sunshine’ happy faces out of paper plates. On the back make a list what makes you smile. Learn to sing the song and echo back to Jack.
the more we get together
trad arr. jack grunsky p WOOD ROOSTER MUSIC, SOCAN
The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
Your friends are my friends
And my friends are your firends
The more we get together
The happier we’ll be
activities
- Make a little circle dance by joining hands and walking around to the beat of the song, first to the left then change to the right. For ‘the more we get together’ all children come towards the middle of the circle and with hands still joined, raising them in the air. Then fall back again into the circle. For ‘your friends are my friends, etc., each child points to a friend and to oneself before starting the whole circle again.
my name game
Hi I'm Jack
That's my name
Come on and join in my name game?
A B C D E F G
Yes you can play this game with me
I'm Olivia
That's my name
Can I join in your name game?
Roses red and violets blue
Yes you can play this name game too
Hi I'm Asher
That's my name
Can I join in your name game?
In the playground and school yard
Oh making friends is not too hard
Hi I'm Kevin
That's my name
Can I play in your name game?
One potato, two potato, three potato, four
Oh we can play this game some more
Hi I'm Rachel
That's my name
Can I play in your name game?
Teeter totter, slide and swing
Oh you can play at everything
I'm Carina
That's my name
Can I play in your name game?
I'll be your friend, you'll be mine
We're going to have the greatest time
activities
- Learn the song and have individual children sing the first part of a verse substituting their names. All the other children respond in turn with the two line rhymes.
let’s play
Stella ella ola, quack quack quack
Say yes chigo chigo, chigo chigo Jack
Say yes chigo chigo, belo belo belo belo belo
Say one two three four five!
Games games the children play
Close to home and far away
Cover your eyes now, don't you peek
If you want to come play ‘hide and seek’
Let's play! – what’d I say?
Let's play! - any time of day
Let's play! - be my friend
Let's play! - here we go again
(and that's the end)
I like jump rope, hop scotch too
Bottle cap soccer, how about you?
Cat's cradle to catch the sun
Let's make believe, let's have some fun
We'll swim in the water but we won't get wet
We'll catch the moon in a fishing net
I spy with my little eye
A cactus flower in the sky
Paper gliders take a loop
Hacky sack and hoola hoop
Flying kite on a long long string
Do you know a riddle or a song to sing?
Run, jump, skip a long, hop on the floor
Who's that knocking at my door
Winter, spring, summer and fall
The world is a beautiful big blue ball
activities
- Make a list of simple games from around the world. Identify the game and then comment on it’s origin. Make up a game to share with your friends. Learn to sing the song and after every time you sing “let’s play”, toss your hands in the air and give a little “whoop”. Just imitate the child’s voice on the recording.
polly the parrot
I am a parrot
Polly’s my name
Being your echo
Is my favourite game
I want to copy
Everything you say
I’m Polly the parrot
Come on let’s play
Let’s make some music
Get ready get set
Play your accordion
And the clarinet
The ‘oompah oompah’ tuba
The rat-ta-tat drum
Play your guitar now
And do the finger strum
Swimming in the bathtub
I’m a submarine
I like to keep my body
Fresh and clean
Got to use my toothbrush
And wash my hair
Finger nails and toe nails
Need extra care
Hey, let’s throw a party
An animal dance
The lion loves to limbo
The pony loves to prance
The cheetah does the Cha Cha
Bear loves ballet
Flamingo does flamenco
Shout “ole”
Polly’s getting tired now
From singing this song
You can add your own verse
After she’s gone
So let’s wave good bye now
And as you do
Smile me the sunshine
I love you
activities
- Make a ‘Polly The Parrot” hand puppet out of a paper bag or sock. Slip it on your hand and practice making ‘talking’ motions with it as you sing the echo of each line in the song. Pretend you are a ventriloquist and put on a show. Alternatively, you can create actions for all the verses as you sing it.
street beat
No matter where you look
The whole world around
Different kind of kids
Make different kind of sounds
Some use their hands
Some use their feet
To make a little rhythm
To make a little beat
Street beat, street beat
Everybody knows a street beat
Down in Cape Town
Kids have fun
The ‘tin-can kids’
They're number one
They have a little game
You shouldn't miss
With two tin-cans
They go like this....(x x)
In the playground
After school
Here's a beat
That's really cool
When everybody does it
It comes alive
So come on join in
Do the ‘hand-jive’....(x x)
Doin’ the school yard ‘hand-jive’
And tin-can kids....(x x)
Street beat, street beat
Everybody knows a street beat
It's made in Austria
They say
A beat that's bound
To come this way
Slap your hands
On your knees and shoe
I'll show the "Schuhplattler" to you
Here's a hand-game
Two can play
Face your partner
Hold your hands this way
It takes some practise
Takes some time
To keep the beat
You can say this rhyme:
‘Miss Meow’ from Alabama
Knitting a pyjama
Sitting on a rocker
Watching the clock go
Tick tock, tick tock
Chiwala wala, tick tock’
And here's a sound
It's out of sight
The strangest thing
It's dynomite!
Your face is a drum
So to speak
Cause you take your hands
And you tap your cheek...(x x)
And back we go....(Miss Meow...)
Schuhplattler....(x x)
Doin’ the school yard hand-jive.(x x)
And tin-can kids....(x x)
Street beat, street beat
Everybody knows a street beat
Well by now you know
What I'm talking about
Street beats are hot
And there's no doubt
A catchy rhythm
A catchy sound
Will travel the
Whole wide world around
activities
Create some actions to go along with the different ‘street beats’ in this song. For the ‘tin-can kids’ you can bang safe child-proof materials together that make a percussive sound. Copy the rhythms of the different ‘street beats’. Do you know any
new ones that you can share? Create a performance piece and assign different “street beats” to the performers. Everybody joins in on the chorus, ”Street beat, street beat, everybody knows a street beat…”
les petites marionnettes
trad arr by Jack Grunsky - English lyrics by Jack Grunsky
p WOOD ROOSTER MUSIC, SOCAN
Bonjour!
Ainsi font font font
Les petites marionnettes
Ainsi font font font
Trois p’tits tours et puis s’en vont
Les poings au cote
Marionnettes, marionnettes
Les poings au cote
Marionnettes, sautez, sautez!
A little marionette
Is such a funny funny thing
See it dancing ‘round
My little puppet on a string
A little man and woman
A little girl and boy
A puppet on a string
It is my favourite toy
activities
- Make some string puppets out of clay, recycled materials, string etc. and have your puppet dance to the song. For younger children you could make finger puppets.
mrs tuckaway
Mrs.Tuckaway, Mrs.Tuckaway
She lives in my backyard
She makes her home in the old oak tree
And she works so very hard
Mrs.Tuckaway is an old raccoon
She lives in my backyard
She gathers and recycles things
And she works so very hard
Oh Mrs.Tuckaway
What have you found today?
Turn something old into something new
And use it in a brand new way
Use it in a brand new way
Oh Mrs.Tuckaway
What have you found today?
Won't you take a look in your lofty nook
For something we could use to play
Something we could use to play
“Now let me see
Where did I put that thing?
Oh yes, there it is!”
activities
- Make something new out of recycled materials
a family of ducks
A family of ducks went for a walk
Over the field, down to the dock
Jumped in the water for a swim
Round the pond and back again
Mama duck said, “It’s time for a snack”
And the little baby ducks went
“quack quack quack”
One little duck had too much cake
And got a terrible tummy ache
Papa duck said, “It’s time to go!”
And the little baby ducks said, “no no no”
Mama duck just shook her head
And the family of ducks went home to bed
activities
- Act out a little skit based on this poem. Choose a Papa duck, a Mama duck and five little baby ducks.
do the bird
Hey everybody have you heard
Of an exercise they call the bird?
Tap one foot just like so
You can do a step called the "pigeon toe"
Do the bird, do the bird
Take your other leg and shake it loose
Cause we're gonna do a step
They call "the goose"
Goose step, pigeon toe, what do you know!
Put 'em together and go go go!
Do the bird, do the bird
Now it's time for the chicken wing
Bring one elbow up and let it swing
Goose step, pigeon toe, chicken wing
This bird dance is the darndest thing!
Do the bird, do the bird
Take your seagull wing and flap it around
Let's try to get up off the ground
Goose step, pigeon toe, chicken and gull
When you're doin' the bird
You'll never feel dull!
Do the bird, do the bird
Now move your head, flex your neck
It's the little rooster doin' the peck
Goose step, pigeon toe, gull and chick
And the little rooster, what a trick!
Do the bird, do the bird
Now one more bird, it's just for luck
Can you wiggle your bottom
And do the duck
Did you ever think that you ever could
Do a dance like this?
Well you're looking good!
Do the bird, do the bird
Ok little birdies, we've had enough
Cause we're loosin' our feathers
And we're loosin' our fluff
You can sit back down, have a rest
And snuggle back into your little nest
Do the bird, do the bird
activities
- Create an exercise routine to go along with the song. Choose the players to act out the verses. Each child does one bird and the group performs together. Try to follow the motions indicated by the words. Take turns and try out different variations.
percussion band
Come on little children
You’ve got the beat
Clap your hands and tap your feet
Can’t you feel the rhythm everywhere?
It’s the music we all share
It’s fun for girls, it’s fun for boys
Play a happy sound
And make a little noise
You can take a rhythm maker in your hand
You can play percussion in my reggae band
(Now) take a scraper, take a stick
Scratch it up and down
It does the trick [repeat]
The scraper…..
(Now) take a container, fill it with beans
Shake it around
You know what I mean [repeat]
Shake, shake….
(Now) take a little tambourine
Tap it, shake it
What a scene! [repeat]
Tambourine….
(Now) take a little pot, and take a spoon
You can bang ‘de’ beat
As you’re marching ‘round the room [repeat] Bang de beat…
All together now
Children, children well now you know
Percussion is a sound to make the music go
Percussion plays the rhythm
Percussion plays the beat
Make you feel real happy
Make you tap your feet
It’s fun for girls, it’s fun for boys
Play a happy sound
And make a little noise
Can’t you feel the rhythm everywhere?
It’s the music we all share
It’s the music we all share
It’s the music we all share
Don’t worry, be happy
Walk straight, play steady
Come on little children
activities
- Find some materials to recycle and make your own rhythm instruments. Use ribbed plastic bottles for scrapers; soda pop containers filled with rice or beans; make a flipping sound from a stack of cards; etc. Then play along to the song and make music!
looth tooth
I got a looth tooth
In my mouth
One up north
One down thouth
I can make it wiggle
With the tip of my tongue
And make it thtand crooked
Jutht for fun
And when it fallth out
One fine day
I can even whithtle
In a brand new way
activities
- Visit a museum and study the bones of different creatures. Discuss the need to care for your teeth. Create a hygiene chart.
by the light of the moon
Had the strangest dream last night
By the light of the moon
Never ever saw such a sight
By the light of the moon
My pussy cat was dancing there
By the light of the moon
Turning somersaults in the air
By the light of the moon
And the wheels go round and round
With a whoopsy daisy!
Take my rocking horse to town
But he's lazy, giddy-up giddy-up
And the wheels go round and round
With a whoopsy daisy!
Sing a loony tune
By the light of the moon
Then a circus came around
By the light of the moon
And I dreamed that I was a clown
By the light of the moon
Saw the tight-rope walker too
By the light of the moon
And I saw that it was you
By the light of the moon
Then I dreamed I soared up high
By the light of the moon
I could touch the clouds in the sky
By the light of the moon
And I joined a flock of geese
By the light of the moon
Flew from Winnipeg to Greece
By the light of the moon
activities
- Make a ‘By The Light Of The Moon’ flow chart and record stories, songs, poems, science facts, with moon related themes. For singing this song you can add some actions to go along with the words. For “and the wheels go round and round”, roll your hands around in the air. For “with a whoopsy daisy”, toss your hands in the air. Children can also act out the lyrics.
the lion sleeps tonight
(Music & lyrics: Hugo Peretti/ Luigi Creatore/ George Weiss/ Albert Stanton/ Solomon Linda/ Paul Campbell)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee-a-wee-a-wee-a-wimoweh
Wee-a-wee-a-wee-a-wimoweh
Wimoweh a-wimoweh
A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh
Wimoweh, a-wimoweh
A-wimoweh
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
activities
- Perform actions to go with this song. For ‘wee-a-wee-a-wee-a-wimoweh’, wave your arms in the air like trees in the wind. For ‘wimoweh, wimoweh…’, tap your hands on your knees and play your imaginary drums. For the verses, pretend you are holding a baby in your arms and gently rock it to sleep. Older children might want to perform a little dance.
my tree
When I was a little boy
In our old backyard
I had a secret hiding place
Away from the boulevard
Behind my daddy’s tool shed
Where no one could see
I sat in the arms of my tree
Sometimes I’d climb up on it
In a magic discovery
I could see into the distance
The wondrous scenery
My thoughts would fly away
As I’d rest peacefully
In the arms
The branches of my tree
Cause there I would dream
Of what I could be
I’d climb the highest mountain
Sail across the deep blue sea
That’s where I would dream
So easy and free
The wind gently rocking
My world of fantasy
(My soul up in that tree)
One day our family
Moved to another home
And I was feeling sad
And very much alone
I missed my old friends
And the sweet memories
And I missed the old backyard
With my tree
When I think of other children
How I hope wishfully
That they all have a special place
To cherish lovingly
As for me I’ll surely go back
One more time just to see
My favourite beautiful tree
activities
– cut leaves out of construction paper and have children write down a poem or story about their favourite place to sit quietly. Collect the finished leaves and paste them to a cardboard tree in the classroom
dream catcher
On a desert road in New Mexico
I met an old man, a native of the Navajo
Selling crafts and all kinds of things
Like clay pots, blankets, spirit drums
Polished stones and silver rings
And hanging by the window
Something strange and beautiful
Caught my eye
It was a dream catcher
Like a magic spider’s web
Made of twigs and feathers
Beads and strings
When I asked the old man
About the dream catcher
These were the words he spoke to me
“It is said, in the night air
There are good dreams and there are bad
The good dreams go through the web
Into the sleeping one
But the bad dreams get hopelessly caught
And perish at the first light of dawn”
When I get home here’s what I’ll do
I’ll make myself a fine dream catcher too
And hang it up beside my bed
To remind me of the words
The old man said
When I’m awake, it’s true
My thoughts can be
Just like dream catchers too
All through the day
If I think happy thoughts
The bad ones stay away
Think happy thoughts
And you’ll find magic there
Where the rainbow ends
Think happy thoughts
And it’s so easy to learn to make new friends
Teach me to respect your ways
So that I may learn to sing your song in praise
No matter what you say or do
Want to see you from a loving point of view
And like a dream catcher
I’m just going to let the good
Come shining through
Look for the good in me
Cause I only see the beautiful in you
activities
- Make your own dream catcher out of twigs, feathers, beads and strings. Use found objects so as not to harm any natural thing. Sing the song while displaying your dream catchers.
storyteller
I love to go to grandpa’s house
And sit upon his knee
And hear enchanting stories
He would tell to me
Listen to the storyteller
Words that like a river flow
Weaving magic, weaving time
They take me anywhere
That I wish to go
Tales of myths and legends
Tales that always last
I can almost hear
The ancient voices from the past
My favourite time of day is when
My mom tucks me into bed
And tells a special story
That lingers in my head
Stories of the future
Tell of things that I might see
Peek into a looking glass
Unfolding mystery
activities
-
-Sit around in the circle and pass a ‘story bag’ around. Each child pulls out a story telling object or picture, making up a story about it.
live in your imagination
Live in your imagination
Live in your dreams
Live in your imagination
Life is so much more than it seems
When you think about yourself
What do you see?
All the things you'd like to do
What you'd like to be
Keep on dreaming, keep believing
And eventually
Some dreams that you keep nourishing
Are no longer fantasy
When you take a look
In a story book
When you learn to love to read
In the field of your dreams and imagination
You'll plant a little seed
When you admire someone who
Performs a special deed, just remember
An acorn planted in the ground
Becomes a big oak tree
activities
- Make a ‘book of dreams’ which shows some of the things you want to do, and what you want to be, when you are older. Learn to sing the song.
water from the well
trad melody from Rajastan - lyrics by Jack Grunsky
p WOOD ROOSTER MUSIC, SOCAN
When you're tired and feeling weary
Sleepy eyed and oh so dreary
Close your eyes and think of nothing
Feel refreshed, your spirit drinking
Water from the well
In the stillness of the evening
Peaceful calm and gently breathing
Close your eyes and think of nothing
Feel refreshed, your spirit drinking
Water from the well
activities
- Sit quietly for five minutes, keeping your eyes closed and without making a sound. When you are asked to open your eyes again, take turns sharing how you feel. Are you refreshed? Do you feel calm?
beat of my heart
Beat of my heart
Beat of my heart
Pitter patter, I can feel
The beat of my heart
Waves on the shore
Waves on the shore
I can hear the rhythm
Of the waves on the shore
Sun shining bright
Sun shining bright
I can feel the warm light
Of the sun shining bright
Stars in the sky
Stars in the sky
Diamonds in the night
I see the stars in the sky
World turning round
World turning round
Like a wheel, a great big circle
World turning round
(1st verse)
activities
- With each verse add some hand motions. Tap your heart gently for ‘beat’; wave your hands gently in the air for ‘waves’; make a sun over your head for ‘sun’; wiggle your fingers in the air for ‘stars’; turn a slow circle around in the air with your finger for ‘world turning round.’
sleep my little one
Sleep my little one
Gone the setting sun
Now the day is done
Morning will be new
You know that I love you
activities
- Echo the lines in this song while you are cuddling your favourite stuffed toy. Talk about the need for quiet time.
what a wonderful world
(Music & lyrics: B.Thiele/ G.Weis)
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
And the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “how do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Then I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I think to myself
What a wonderful world
activities
- Find a book on sign language and learn to sign the words of this song.
all music & lyrics written by jack grunsky p WOOD ROOSTER MUSIC, SOCAN
except where noted
cut & paste lyrics into your word file to print out
