Fingerplays are a fun way to add movement to your lesson. Students can move their fingers while sitting. When you need an activity to bring the energy level down in your class, consider a fingerplay.
This chant teaches the heart shape (perfect for Valentine’s Day!) as well as other shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, star). Notice the repetition in the phrases, which is important for young learners.
Encourage students to make shapes in different ways to nurture their creativity. Notice the great things your young learners are doing. That’s what I call CCBA–Catch Children Being Amazing!
Check out my Japanese students making shapes. Here we are studying together online. (Photos used with permission)
My students just love this chant! I hope that you do, too.
My Fingers Dance
by Kathy Kampa on Jump Jump Everyone. Available on iTunes, Spotify, and other streaming services.
My fingers, fingers, fingers, fingers, fingers dance!
My fingers, fingers, fingers, fingers, fingers dance!
Make a circle! Take a picture. Make a circle! Take a picture.
*Substitute additional shapes for “circle.”
Check out the video below for the simple motions.
This Google slide from the video provides a visual of the shapes.
The music is available on iTunes and on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Let’s practice shapes some more!
Time for a surprise! Have students open their hands and close their eyes. Hand them one of the shapes. Use this little chant I just made.
A Big Surprise by Kathy Kampa
Open your hands and close your eyes.
Get ready for a big surprise!
My students enjoy going on a shape hunt. We focus on one shape at a time, and look for things with that shape.
Kids love using the shaped “magnifying glasses” to find shapes in everyday objects around them! You can make these darling shape finders from Amber at Apples to Applique (amber@applestoapplique.com)
Learning something in many ways is fun for young learners! As Dr. Howard Gardner pointed out in his theory of Multiple Intelligences, children can learn more successfully when using many ways to approach a topic. In this lesson, students hear words in rhythm, they move their bodies, they see shapes, and they interact together.
If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, students can make cards with LOTS of shapes!
Finally, if you read my last post, you’ll remember how to make a heart shape with your hands. This poem was shared with me by my colleague:
I put my hands together. (put the heels of your hands together)
This is how I start. (hold)
I curve my fingers just like this (curve your fingers to touch each other)
and now I have a heart. (this should make a heart shape)
Now, look through the heart to see each of the students in your class.
Say, “I see you in my heart!”
Songwriter Kathy Kampa is a passionate educator of young learners. She seeks to nurture children’s imaginations and spark creativity through fun and engaging activities. Kathy believes that music and movement should be a part of every young child’s education. Kathy’s songs for kids (Kathy Kampa’s Special Days and Holidays and Jump Jump Everyone) are available on iTunes.
Kathy uses a globally-minded and inquiry-based approach to teaching through which students develop 21st-century skills. She also supports the development of English language skills by creating songs, chants, and TPR/movement activities targeted to young learners’ needs. Kathy is an author and teacher-trainer with Oxford University Press.
For more kid-tested music and movement activities, check out more music on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music. Kathy has produced two music CDs for very young learners, Kathy Kampa’s Special Days and Holidays and Jump Jump Everyone, which build English language skills through music and movement while nurturing creativity and imagination. Grown and loved by real kids!
Check out Kathy Kampa’s YouTube channel here.
MagicTimeKids 