December Songs

December is a holiday season everywhere. It's a feel good month :) Lots of children look forward to it for having fun in decorative malls with the Santa, singing Christmas carols, other winter songs and making the snowman.

In schools too, children have their recitals or sing and song shows where they sing along with other students and make their parents, family and teachers proud.

Just that I don't run out of my memory in future, I am listing the collection of Christmas and winter songs/lyrics below, for you and myself.

Jingle bells -

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh yeah

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Let it snow ! Let it snow ! by Dean Martin -

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss good night
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Santa Claus is Coming -

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town 

Frosty the Snowman -

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
Know how he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that
Old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around.
O, Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh
And play just the same as you and me.
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Frosty the snowman knew
The sun was hot that day,
So he said, "Let's run and
We'll have some fun
Now before I melt away."
Down to the village,
With a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there all
Around the square saying,
Catch me if you can.
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler "Stop!"
For Frosty the snow man
Had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye saying,
"Don't you cry,
I'll be back again some day."
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Deck the Hall -

 Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
 Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.  
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.  
Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
 Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la.  
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Rocking around the Christmas tree -

Rockin' around the Christmas tree At the Christmas party hop,  
Mistletoe hung where you can see, Every couple tries to stop, 
 Rockin' around the Christmas tree, Let the Christmas spirit ring,  
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie, And we'll do some caroling.
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear,
Voices singing, "Let's be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly", 
 Rockin' around the Christmas tree, 
 Have a happy holiday, Everyone dancin' merrily, In the new old-fashioned way.
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear, Voices singing, "Let's be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly", Rockin' around the Christmas tree, Have a happy holiday, Everyone dancin' merrily, In the new old-fashioned way.


[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-lyrics-christmas-carols.html ]

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year-

It's the most wonderful time of the year
 With the kids jingle-belling
And everyone telling you
Be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
(Wonderful time)

It's the hap-happiest season of all,
With those holiday greetings
And great happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for roasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There be much mistletoe-ing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year, ooh ah

Woah, there'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for roasting
And caroling out in the snow (out in the snow)
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year (most
wonderful time)
There be much mistletoe-ing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near (loved ones are near)
It's the most wonderful time (wonderful time)
It's the most wonderful time (wonderful time)
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Feliz Navidad - Song in spanish.


Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.

Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.

I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
I want to wish you a merry christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

Translation :
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Prosperous New year and Happiness.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer -


Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,  
You would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names;  
They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say,
Rudolph with your nose so bright,  
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee, 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
You'll go down in history.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,  
Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen., 
 But do you recall?  
The most famous reindeer of all?  
 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,  
You would even say it glows. 
All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names; 
They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve, 
 Santa came to say, 
 Rudolph with your nose so bright,  
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then how the reindeer loved him  
As they shouted out with glee, 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,  
You'll go down in history.

from- lyrics.mode.com

Montessori circle time songs

We all know that there is nothing better than learning through songs. I strongly believe in starting and ending the day with the circle time. I will either present some group activity or simply have a good music time in the circle. Collecting music for the circle time is the hardest and most challenging job for me. All these years I wished if there was a place online where I could just click and get all the Montessori songs.

To make life easier for all the teachers and parents, below are some fun and educational songs -

Start the day song -

1. Start the Day (Original Author Unknown)
Sung to tune: "Merrily we roll along"

Clap your hands to start the day, start the day, start the day
Clap your hands to start the day,
How are you this morning ?
Stomp your feet to start the day, start the day, start the day
Stomp your feet to start the day,
How are you this morning ?
Wiggle your fingers to start the day, start the day, start the day
Wiggle your fingers to start the day, 
In the same way, you can do various actions, or ask the child for an action :) 

2. God Bless America -

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Video - You'll love this video. Thank you You tube.

The Continent Song -
There are many many ways this song can be sung. It's your choice, which ever you like better.

1. Tune : merrily we roll along.

There are 7 continents, continents, continents,

There are 7 continents and I can name them all.

North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica.

Video -

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_5VCx8iqE0&feature=related

2.  Video -

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDO7FTIj3HU

The weather song -

Tune: Clementine

What's the weather

What's the weather

What's the weather like today

Tell us (Matthew) what's the weather

What's the weather like today

Is it sunny (make big cirlce with arms above head)

Is it cloudy (cover eyes with hands)

Is it rainy out today (rain fingers)

Is it snowy (act cold)

Is it windy (windy arms) today ?

7 Days in a week song -

Sunday , Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
There are 7 days, there are 7 days, there are 7 days in a week. 


Video - 

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f77PWrBd8HM

Months of the year songs -
1.  Video -

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5enDRrWyXaw&playnext=1&list=PL6CC81AB0E5AB1C28


2. Video -

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ3msC5pSk0&feature=related

Dinosaur Song 

ALL AROUND THE SWAMP

SUNG TO: "THE WHEELS ON THE BUS"

THE PTERANODON'S WINGS WENT FLAP, FLAP, FLAP,

FLAP, FLAP, FLAP, FLAP, FLAP, FLAP.

THE PTERANODON'S WINGS WENT FLAP, FLAP, FLAP,

ALL AROUND THE SWAMP.

THE TYRANNOSAURUS REX WENT GRRR, GRRR, GRRR,

GRRR, GRRR, GRRR, GRRR, GRRR, GRRR,

THE TYRANNOSAURUS REX WENT GRRR, GRRR, GRRR,

ALL AROUND THE SWAMP.

THE TRICERATOPS' HORNS WENT WENT POKE, POKE, POKE,

POKE, POKE, POKE, POKE, POKE, POKE,

THE TRICERATOPS' HORNS WENT WENT POKE, POKE, POKE

ALL AROUND THE SWAMP.

THE BRONTOSAURUS WENT MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH,

MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH,

THE BRONTOSAURUS WENT MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH,

ALL AROUND THE SWAMP.

THE STEGOSAURUS' TAIL WENT SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE,

SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE,

THE STEGOSAURUS' TAIL WENT SPIKE, SPIKE, SPIKE,
ALL AROUND THE SWAMP.


Video - The wheels on the bus go round and round

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2dCO3enPfk&feature=related

Thank you to all the people who shared their precious videos on you tube !
Hope you all will have fun learning through music.

When children are not 'listening' !

picture taken by me -  Walnut Park Montessori school

I have this trouble all the time, and I say to myself, "What do I do they are not listening?" And the idea pops out, "Why not make them walk on the line !" Aha ! This idea came as a blessing. This we can try after all the other ways we have tried on them as I mentioned on my blog 'Listening ears'. A walk on the line is not only helping them to listen but also, with co-ordination, order, movements, building up balance and knowing their body.

Children here simply walk on the line where you may be walking in the front. I make the walk more interesting by telling a story sometimes. If the children had been really loud then I gently ask them to walk on the line very quietly. We name it as a silent walk.

There are ways to make the walk interesting - walk with your hands on the side, hands next to your shoulders, behind and up OR, walk with a basket, tray or a plate in your hands. After 2-3 rounds of walk, you can  hop, jump, gallop, run and skip on the line. There are lots of music you can play while children are doing walk on the line activity. I came across with this website called Montessori Mozarts and it is great, they have sample music to listen too ! You can also play some folk music from around the world. Look here - a beautiful Around the World: International Folk Songs CD ! You can also play fun children's music or any of your favorite instrumental music.

ENJOY !

Sounds - Spirits of the Alphabets

The following is a list of letters and the phonetic sounds made by each, as represented in a phonetic word. Sounds, not names, should be taught very early in the Montessori classroom.

A as in ant said as 'ah' with your mouth stretch as if you were smiling.
B "   " bat    "   "  'b-ah'
C "   " cat    "   "  'c-ah'
D "   " dog    "   "  'd-ah'
E "   " red    "   "  'aeh'
F "   " fun    "   "  'ph'
G "   " gas    "   "  'gh'
H "   " hat    "   "  'hh'
I "   " it     "   "  'eh'
J "   " jump   "   "  'jh'
K "   " kiss   "   "  'kh'
L "   " lost   "   "  'el'
M "   " mud    "   "  'mm'
N "   " nest   "   "  'n'; it is not 'na', as I have seen lots of teachers presenting this way, yes, one has to remember the region as every country has it's way of speaking sounds. Still, I strongly think teaching correctly is very important. So, I say 'n' with the tip of my tongue touching the roof of the mouth right behind the teeth, let it stay there and make a sound 'n'. I do not leave my tongue until the sound 'n' is made, then close your mouth.
O "   " ox   said as  'oh'
P "   " pot    "   "  'p-ah'
Q "   " queen  "   "  'k' ; stretch your mouth as if you were smiling.
R "   " run    "   "  'rr'
S "   " sat    "   "  'ss'
T "   " top    "   "  't-h'
U "   " up     "   "  'uh'
V "   " van    "   "  'v-ah' ; stretch your mouth.
W "   " wet    "   "  'vh'; half mouth opened.
X "   " x-ray  "   "  'ks'
Y "   " yes    "   "  'y-ah'
Z "   " zip    "   "  'zz'

Now, I'd like to say that every child comes from a different family, with parents from different regions. Accent generally does not come from the way you learn the sound but the way you hear a complete sentence/word. There are parents with concerns for a child forgetting his/er regional accent or language. And, I always tell them that it's the environment that effects the accent not what or how the child is learning a sound. What I am trying to say is that one should not impose on a child to speak one way or the other. Let the child feel comfortable with his/er language. Create a happy and loving environment for a child and you see how quickly a child grows academically, physically and emotionally. Follow the child, observe him/er and then give directions with appropriate methods of learning.

All these sounds are presented with the Three Period Lesson, one by one. DO NOT rush to teach the sounds. Let the child have fun while learning. Check the lesson plan of presenting the sounds in my blog Language learning is FUN !

Have fun with sounds !

Sorry for adding this video last minute. It is a great song for children to learn letter sounds ! Enjoy !