More Playground Songs for Poetry Month

Traditionally we study poetry in our library classes during April because

April is Poetry Month.

After reviewing the playground games on the Hawes Primary School blog

and more on Mr. Salsich’s blog in Connecticut

and even more on Open the Door to B4 in New Zealand,

plus 4 more on Mrs. Kistler and the 49’ers

it became clear that playground songs are really poems!

 So in library class, we learned some playground poems and songs!

Our first  graders have learned  Miss Mary Mack.

 The second graders have learned Down, Down Baby.

 Here is our Seattle contribution to the playground games!

A special thanks to our world blogging buddies for giving us this great lesson idea!

Down Down Baby 

 

Miss Mary Mack

 

ABC Song

 

 

 

 

Do you know these playgrounds songs?

 

Do you know the ones from the other schools?

 

Do you have another playground song we should learn?

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15 thoughts on “More Playground Songs for Poetry Month

  1. It is very nice to see ideas picked up on. This is a clapping game that I am certain my children would like to take on and learn. You are quite right there is a poetic, rhythmic quality to these activities.
    Yesterday we were at a swimming gala and my team were doing six people circles and developing their own ideas. Unfortunately I was not allowed a camera there!
    Now we are on holiday for most of April.
    It’s very nice to have you chaps as buddies. I notice on my counter USA is approaching 200 … I have 25 states!
    we are sure that your weather will be turning nice, enjoy yourselves.
    do any of the mums and grannies know these games?

    Mr E
    Hawes

    • Dear Mr. Eldridge,
      Yes, it’s really fun to see the kids from all over sing playground songs. We all have different accents and listening to them is part of the fun when watching the videos. There is another classroom in San Antonio, Texas that has joined in the fun. I will try to add her link to my post.
      You asked if some othe mothers know these songs. I haven’t asked around a lot, but I know of several teachers who remember singing the songs when they were in school.
      Oh See Oh Playmate is one in particular!
      Having fun!
      Mrs. Hembree

  2. Dear Mrs. Hembree,
    I love this idea of teaching playground songs. Next week I want to teach my first graders Miss Mary Mack and will video them. Thanks so much for sharing. I will check out these other blogs, too. Now that the weather is getter nicer I think we need to take out those jump ropes, too.
    from,
    Mrs. Lynch in Quebec

    • Dear Mrs. Lynch,
      The first graders had a lot of fun learning Miss Mary Mack. I hope to record some of them soon. You can find videos on YouTube of other children, or use the one on Mr. Salsich’s site for Miss Mary Mack.
      These songs are fabulous for developing hand/eye coordination too.
      I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
      Mrs. Hembree

  3. Dear Mrs. Hembree,

    The second grade girls did a wonderful job with “Down, Down Baby”! They showed great hand-eye coordination and teamwork. I especially liked how they reversed the order at the end. It was also impressive how they clapped hands with two other people.

    I like how you connected these playground songs to poetry. I guess that all songs are really a type of poetry.

    Excellent job by all! I will see if we can post another playground song this week.

    From,
    Mr. Salsich

    • Dear Mr. Salsich,
      Thank you for your comment on our playground song. The girls had a great time practicing this playground song.
      Yes, I like to connect music lyrics and poetry because I think lyrics are poems set to music. Sometimes students don’t think they like poetry until they realize that they actually really LOVE poetry – the kind that is set to music!
      We look forward to seeing another song on your blog. We are going to work on Poetry Jams and Poetry with 2 voices. It should be lots of fun!
      Plus we have a favorite author, Matt Holm, co-author of the Babymouse graphic novel series, coming to our school on Wednesday.
      Enjoy your week!
      Mrs. Hembree

  4. Dear Mrs Hembree,
    Awesome post.

    I know three other handshakes.

    This is the first one, Double Double this this double that that double this double that.

    You can have a whole group.

    I know another one it is ABC hit.

    ABC hit that’s the way I like haaahhaa and you repat it twice and at the end you say peace love hit it dudes.

    This is my last one my Aunty Anna plays the piano 24 hours a day and each time you say my Aunty Anna plays the piano 24 hours a day you just clap your hands and strech your legs.

    Those girls did a fantastic handshake I think I will not be able to do that.

    From your pal,
    BB.

    • Dear BB,
      I have heard of the Double Double handshake game, but the others are new to me! I will have to share this with my classes and see if they know these 2 songs.
      Two days until your birthday! Are you excited? How old will you be? My husband’s birthday is on the 15th. You are almost birthday twins! 🙂
      Have you been on the Eagle Cam in Iowa? Mrs. yollis has a link to it on her blog. It is so interesting to watch the bald eagles. I saw one this morning on my way to work. Whenever I see them, they make me smile.
      Good to hear from you!
      Mrs. Hembree

  5. Dear Bulldog Readers,

    I know that song! I know so many songs like that. I know Concentration, Lemonade, and Miss Mary Mack. How many do you guys know?
    Sincerely,
    Alexis from Techie kids

  6. Dear Mrs. Hembree,

    I like your handshake. It’s cool. How did you think off making that handshake?
    I wish I could do that 🙂

    Your friend,
    Danielle
    Techie Kids

  7. @ Mrs Hembree,
    Thank you for replying back to me.

    I am glad you have heard of the Double Double this handshake.

    Your husands birthday is right after mine :).

    Now I know lots of people who have there birthday on the 15th.

    Today is the 13th and I just can’t wait till tomorrow.

    I am very excited till my birthday.

    I will be nine tomorrow.

    Yes I have looked at the eagle cam it is amazing.

    I would love to see a bald eagle.

    From your pal,
    Bianca 🙂

    PS Wish your husband a happy birthday.!

  8. Dear Bulldog readers,
    I have not heard these playground songs before. I do not have any playground songs. I would love to hear some more playground songs that you guys know. How many playground songs do you guys know?

    Your Pal Alivia,
    Techie Kids

  9. Dear bulldogs,
    I thought this playground song was great and funny. I thought the girls doing the song did awesome i will defiantly watch this again!!!
    From, Sam

  10. Dear Megan and Emory,

    You did a great job on the ABC song!I have it stuck in my head now!I also know this song too.Do you know down down baby?
    From, Taylor

    From, Taylor:)

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