Shake, Shimmy, & Dance: 6/6

The Plan

Book
If You’re Happy and You Know It by Jane Cabrera
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Cabrera’s singing books. I find that they always get a crowd involved and that the magical benefits of choral singing with a large group get everyone to pay attention. This book, in particular, works for Shake, Shimmy because it gets the kiddos ready to start moving with me.

Props
Wrist Ribbons!

The Playlist

Hello & How Are You? — Old Town School of Folk Music
Rise & Rhyme — Culture Queen
Clap Your Hands — Red Yarn
Lizzie Spins — Joanie Leeds
The Tempo Marches On — Jim Gill
Up & Down — Miss Nina
All My Colors — Ralph Covert
Shake Hands With Friends — Ella Jenkins

How It Went

All of my instructional/free dance songs this week were new! I like trying out new music to keep this program fresh and exciting. “Rise & Rhyme” is off one of our new CDs in the library, I Like Me!. This is a great introduction song for a program because it focuses on getting ready and stretching. “Clap Your Hands” is a traditional song that asks for listeners to clap along, etc., but it ALSO has a chorus that I used as a free dance opportunity.

“Lizzie Spins” is a new song, but a favorite Shake, Shimmy artist Joanie Leeds. This song talks about different friends and what they like to do (dance, spin, jump, etc.). It was pretty much adored by everyone in the room. And then, I capped off this portion of the program with Jim Gill’s “The Tempo Marches On”. I challenged the kids to start as slow as they could because the song would keep getting faster as we went! I love watching them during that slow portion because they’re so proud at how slow they can go. I had one young friend who kept telling me that they weren’t even moving, they were going that slow.

Afterwards, it was time for wrist ribbons. We practiced our opposites with “Up & Down”, which does run a little bit long. I try really hard to find songs that are under 2 minutes, 30 seconds, but it’s also good to stretch their attention spans’ with a longer song from time to time. And finally, “All My Colors” by Ralph Covert. I am still heartbroken that this CD is out of print and am eternally grateful that I have a digital copy. The kids took their wrist ribbons and found a friend to make a rainbow with to conclude today’s program.

(For an example of the Powerpoint and handouts that I made for each Shake, Shimmy please visit the original post.)