Song of the Month
Every month the song/dance/activity will change. Many of the songs will be from my Recordings. Please print the page and do the activity with your child. Teachers may print the page to use with their classes. If you have questions, Contact Me.
November 2009
Leaves Are Falling! (tune: Jingle Bells)
Hear it: I have not yet recorded this song, but because it's a familiar tune, I think you'll be able to do it! I hope to have a recording ready for Fall 2010, after I finish my next recording, "Baloney!" early in 2010.
Leaves are still falling here in Illinois – and it's fun to sing about something that's just happened if your leaves are already down! I learned a version of this song from a children's librarian at the Bartlett Public Library here in Illinois. In doing it with children, I changed it a little –- ah, the Folk Process. Feel free to tinker with the lyrics as you repeat it over and over – it became a quick favorite with my students!
| Lyrics: | Leaves are falling, leaves are falling |
| Movements: | Each time you sing "leaves are falling", wave hands overhead, like leaves in the wind. Touch each part of the body named as you sing through the song – with slight pauses for the children to keep up with you at first. For the final line, swoosh hands in front of you from high to the floor, slowing the tempo a bit to be ready to ask: "Shall we do it again, faster?" With each repetition you can go faster, but always bring it down a little on the Whooshhhh! You may change "head" and "legs" with older children on each verse – it keeps them listening so that they touch the right part of their body. With younger children, mastering the speed is enough! |
Age Range: 2 – 6 years old
Purpose: Listening skills, body part identification, co-ordination, group singing, and FUN!
SUPERSIZING SONG: I love doing this with "When It's Autumn", SOTM 9/07 or on my "H.U.M. - Highly Usable Music" cd.
