Welcome Spring - Circle time Verses For Spring

Welcoming Spring is such a magical moment. Below you will find many wonderful circle time verses for spring.

* * * * * * * *

In our Winter garden, seeds lie warm below,
flowers are waiting, waiting, waiting
for the Spring to show
* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
Where are the froggies when the north winds blow?
We cannot see them in the ice and snow.
Deep, deep down in the mud they lie,
froggies sleeping with tight-closed eyes.
When the warm spring sun comes out,
froggies wake and jump about.
Oh, how happy they will be,
a springtime world they will see.

Where are the turtles when the north winds blow?
We cannot see them in the ice and snow.
Deep, deep down in the mud they lie,
turtles sleeping with tight-closed eyes.
When the warm spring sun comes out,
turtles wake and crawl about.
Oh, how happy they will be,
a springtime world they will see.

Where are the bears when the north winds blow?
We cannot see them in the ice and snow.
Deep, deep down in a cave they lie,
baby bears sleeping with tight-closed eyes.
When the warm spring sun comes out,
bear cubs wake and run about.
Oh, how happy they will be,
a springtime world they will see.

Where are the squirrels when the north winds blow?
We cannot see them in the ice and snow.
Cracking nuts in a hollow tree,
squirrels are cozy as cozy can be.
When the warm spring sun comes out,
squirrels wake and jump about.
Oh, how happy they will be,
a springtime world they will see.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: STANDING:
King Winter be gone,
then soon cometh the spring!
The ice is a breaking,
the flowers awakening,
and green groweth each thing!
King Winter be gone,
then your rule put away,
the birds one and all,
now with jubilant call,
now bring tidings of May!

* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
Winter goodbye, winter goodbye.
You may no longer stay.
Springtime is on its way.
Winter goodbye, winter goodbye.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
Spring is coming, spring is coming,
birdies build your nests.
Weave together straw and feather,
doing each your best.

Spring is coming spring is coming,
flowers are waking too.
Daisies, lilies, daffodillies,
all are coming through.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
all around is fair.
Shiver, quiver, on the river
joy is everywhere!

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: SITTING:
A little seed for me to sow.
A little earth to make it grow.
A little hole, a little pat,
a little wish, and that is that.
A little sun, a little shower,
a little while, and then a flower.
Sing Through the Seasons, p.5

VERSE: STANDING:
Radiant Sun from his throne in the sky,
looked down on earth where sleeping seeds lie,
and thought to himself, I think it's time
for flower babies to rise and shine.
So with his rays of gold he knocked and knocked
at each flower family's door,
Wake up! Wake up! he chuckled with glee
Time to wake up and color Earth¹s floor!
The snowdrops were first, the crocus and rosies,
daffodils, violets, and all sorts of posies,
yawning and stretching under Radiant Sun.
Yes, all we flowers create spring time fun!

* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
White coral bells upon a slender stalk,
lilies of the valley deck my garden walk.
Oh don't you wish that you could hear them ring?
That will happen only when the fairies sing.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: STANDING:
Spring is here, said the bumble bee
How do you know, said the old oak tree
I see yellow daffodils
Dancing with the fairies on the windy hills.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: WALKING:
I can't see the wind, but the wind can see me.
It follows me dancing across Lanternlea.
It blows round my ankles, it puffs through my hair,
it tangles me up 'till I do not know where,
or whither or thither or why I'm this way.
The way of the wind on a merry March day.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
Pitter, patter raindrops,
falling on the treetops,
falling down on garden beds,
wetting all the children¹s heads.
Pitter, patter raindrops,
falling on the treetops.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: STANDING:
Now the sky has darkened,
and the rain is sprinkling down.
Shall we hide beneath a tree,
or run back home to town?
No! We like the rain!

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: WALKING:
Splish, splash, splish, splash
here's how we walk in the rain.
Splish, splash, splish, splash
here¹s how we walk in the rain.
And splash -we run through the puddles.
And splosh - we skip in the rain.
And splish - we turn round the corner
until we come home again!

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: STANDING:
And now the rain is over
the sky is bright and blue,
and yonder in the meadow,
the sheep are happy too.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: STANDING:
White sheep and black sheep,
Graze on a hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow;
White sheep and black sheep,
Where do you go?

* * * * * * * *

FINGERPLAY:
This is a house for a robin
(make a nest with hands)
This is a hive for a bee
(two fists together to make a hive)
This is a hole for a bunny
(thumbs and pointers on both hands to make hole)
And this is a house for me!
(Arms and hands form roof overhead)

* * * * * * * *

In our Springtime garden, rosy morning glow,
Sunshine falling, calling, falling,
seeds are waking so.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: WALKING:
Through the meadow let us walk,
and see what wonders spring has brought.
Skipping, skipping, let us go,
as the breeze blows to and fro.
But watch your step and look where you go!
Here is a creature tiny and slow.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: SITTING:
Caterpillar, caterpillar you are such a pretty sight.
Caterpillar, caterpillar green and yellow, black and white.
Take care what you do, robins are a watching you.
Take care what you do, robins are a watching you.
Caterpillar, caterpillar creep away and hide you soon.
Caterpillar, caterpillar spin yourself a warm cocoon.
Dark and silent lie, till you are a butterfly.
Dark and silent lie, till you are a butterfly.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: STANDING:
Flutter, flutter butterfly
Floating in the springtime sky
Floating by for all to see
Floating by so merrily

Come bright butterfly close to me.
Your beautiful wings I should like to see.
You fly like a bird,
you sip like a bee,
but you're really a flower on the wind set free.

Look high and low and you will see,
the butterfly is not alone in this meadow.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: ON THE FLOOR:
Hop, said the grasshopper, ³hop, hop, hop!
The summer is coming and I can¹t stop.
All winter long I lay asleep,
and the winter seemed it would never, never end,
but an April raindrop fell on my nose,
and woke me up from my repose,
and now it's time to have a little peek,
and see if I can find a little friend.
Here comes a honey bee...²

Hum, said the honey bee, ³hum, hum, hum!
Fresh sweet clover field here I come!
All winter long I lay asleep,
and the winter seemed it would never, never end,
but an April raindrop fell on my nose,
and woke me up from my repose,
and now it's time to have a little peek,
and see if I can find a little friend.
Here comes a squirrel now...²

Scurry, said the squirrel and waved her tail
like a little brown ship with a furry furry sail.
All winter long I lay asleep,
and the winter seemed it would never, never end,
but an April raindrop fell on my nose,
and woke me up from my repose,
and now it's time to have a little peek,
and see if I can find a little friend.
Here comes a rabbit now...²

Jump, said the rabbit with a jump, jump, jump,
I must find a fat lettuce to make me plump!
All winter long I lay asleep,
and the winter seemed it would never, never end,
but an April raindrop fell on my nose,
and woke me up from my repose,
and now it's time to have a little peek,
and see if I can find a little friend.
Here comes a grasshopper...

* * * * * * * *

VERSE: WALKING:
I see across the meadow is a farmer working, sturdy and strong,
with his sack of seeds he strides along;
Let's go work with him in the field today.
It's time to sow our seed.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: WALKING:
Heigh ho, heigh ho, the farmer doth sow.
Heigh ho, heigh ho, the farmer doth sow.
The birds are a singing,
the little seeds springing,
Heigh ho, heigh ho, the farmer doth sow.

* * * * * * * *

VERSE:SITTING:
Little brown seeds so small and round,
Are sleeping quietly under ground.
Down come the raindrops
sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.
Out comes the rainbow,
twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.
Little brown seeds way down below,
Up through the earth they grow, grow, grow.
Little green leaves come one by one.
They hold up their heads and look at the sun.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: WALKING:
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Can you or I or anyone know
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?

First the farmer sows his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Next the farmer waters the seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Next the farmer hoes the weeds,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Last the farmer harvests his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:

* * * * * * * *

VERSE:STANDING:
Let us go back home,
and wash our hands and face,
brush our hair,
change into a clean shirt, and pants.
Tie your shoes and we are off to go to the fair!

Good Morning, Mistress and Master!
I wish you a happy day!
Please to smell my garland,
'cause it's the first of May.

A branch of May I have brought you,
and at your door I stand;
it is but a sprout, but it's well budded out,
the work of Nature's hand.

* * * * * * * *

SONG: SKIPPING:
Sing a song of May Day,
Hi dee ho dee hay!
Showers of flowers from breezy bowers,
Hi dee ho dee hay!
Dancers and prancers in high grass
Hi dee ho dee hay!
Joyfully skip each lad and lassie,
Hi dee ho dee hay!

* * * * * * * *

SONG: HOLDING RIBBONS WALKING:
We're dancing, we're dancing
around the Maypole high.
In colors of the rainbow
our ribbons do fly.
Dear children take a ribbon please
today May flowers all are we.
Around, around, around, a garland we do weave.

Tra la la, tra la la, tra la la, tra la la,
tra la la, tra la la, tra la la la.
Hi diddle de, hi diddle de,
come join me, come join me.
Hi diddle de, hi diddle de,
come join me, come join me please.
Tra la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,
Tra la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Hi diddle de, hi diddle de,
come join me, come join me.
Hi diddle de, hi diddle de,
come join me, come join me please.
Tra la la, tra la la, tra la la, tra la la,
tra la la, tra la la, tra la la la.

We thank you dear Maypole. (bow)
We thank you dear Maypole. (curtsy)

* * * * * * * *

FINGERPLAYS:
Five little peas in a pea pod pressed.
One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest.
They grew and they grew and they did not stop,
until one day, the pod went POP!

* * * * * * * *

A little brown rabbit popped out of the ground
wriggle his whiskers and looked all around.
Another wee rabbit who lived in the grass,
popped his head out and watched him pass.
Then both wee rabbits went hippity-hop,
hippity-hop, hippity-hop,
'til they came to a wall and had to stop.
Then both wee rabbits turned themselves around
and scuttled off home to their holes in the ground.

* * * * * * * *

Two little beaks went tap, tap, tap!
Two little shells went crack, crack, crack!
Two fluffy chicks peeped out, and oh,
they like the looks of the big world so.
They left their houses without a fret,
and two little shells are now to let!

* * * * * * * *

This is my wee garden plot.
I'll rake it with care and it will grow a lot!
Peas and carrots and salad from seeds.
I'll plant and water and pull out the weeds.
The sun will shine and bathe my garden in light,
all the plants will be happy and taste just right.
Here, try some, have a bite!

* * * * * * * *

A 9-foot length of white gauze can be purchased for this game, to become the chrysalis. Smaller 45-inch squares of dyed gauze can be given to the children, to drape over their backs when they are caterpillars, then grasp behind them as they fly like butterflies. Even so, a picnic blanket an imaginary wings work fine.

Busy Caterpillar, by Lisa Patrell
Busy busy caterpillar, fuzzy and furry.
Eating lots of leaves in such a hurry.
Come here busy caterpillar and make a wish.
Upside-down you're a chrysalis.
Wait a long winter,
or a few weeks of summer days.
Open your door and fly away.

The Movements
(busy busy) Speak at a staccato clip. Children craw around on all fours
pretending to eat green leaves. (come here) Speak with a singsong elongated
voice. One of the children is beckoned forth and laid at the edge of a
blanket. (upside down) Continue using your singsong voice, and roll the
child in a picnic blanket, so their feet and head stick-out. (wait) Speak
very quietly, and stand the child. Make a hood with the excess fabric at
their shoulders, and hold them in place. (open) Grab the edge of the
blanket, and say this line joyfully, while unfurling the child, so they
spin-slowly. (fly) The child flaps their arms, as if they are wings and run
as if they are flying.

* * * * * * * *

Have you ever seen a rainbow
On a sunny springtime day,
After it's been raining
In the misty month of May?
Out from the clouds it will appear,
And then it's gone away.
Have you ever seen a rainbow
On a sunny springtime day?

* * * * * * * *

Spring is here, said the bumble bee
How do you know, said the old oak tree
I see yellow daffodils
Dancing with the fairies on the windy hills.
Spring is coming spring is coming
flowers are waking too
daisies, lilies, daffodillies
all are breaking through! All are breaking through!

* * * * * * * *

Spring is coming, spring is coming
Birdies go build your nests
Weave together
Straw and feather
Doing each your best, doing each their best.

* * * * * * * *

Spring is coming, Spring is coming
All around is fair
shiver, quiver, on the river
joy is everywhere-joy is everywhere!!

* * * * * * * *

Cherry Blossoms
Little cherry blossom buds
Closed up oh, so tight!
See them bursting into bloom,
Colored pink and white.

Along comes the spring breeze,
Blowing all around,
And down fall the petals,
Twirling to the ground.

* * * * * * * *

In the heart of a seed,
Buried deep so deep,
A tiny plant
Lay fast asleep.
"Wake," said the sunshine,
"And creep to the light."
"Wake," said the voice
Of the raindrops bright.
The little plant heard
And it rose to see,
What the wonderful,
Outside world might be.

* * * * * * * *

Little Brown Seeds
Little brown seeds so small and round,
Are sleeping quietly under ground.
Down come the raindrops
sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.
Out comes the rainbow,
twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.
Little brown seeds way down below,
Up through the earth they grow, grow, grow.
Little green leaves come one by one.
They hold up their heads and look at the sun.

* * * * * * * *

Flutter, flutter butterfly
Floating in the springtime sky
Floating by for all to see
Floating by so merrily
Flutter, flutter, butterfly
Floating in the springtime sky!

* * * * * * * *

Spring is here, said the bumble bee
How do you know, said the old oak tree
I see yellow daffodils
Dancing with the fairies on the windy hills.

* * * * * * * *

I can be as tiny as a tiny, tiny seed,
Or I can be as tall as a tall, tall tree.
I can be as wide as the wide, wide world,
Or I can just be me!

* * * * * * * *

I awake from my sleep
I awake from my sleep
I stretch to the sky
I jump into the light
to greet the new day

* * * * * * * *

When the snow is on the ground.
Little bells can be found:
Hush! Tread soft for I can see
Snowdrops sweet for you and me.

* * * * * * * *

This is a house for a robin
(make a nest with hands)
This is a hive for a bee
(two fists together to make a hive)
This is a hole for a bunny
(thumbs and pointers on both hands to make hole)
And this is a house for me!
(Arms and hands form roof overhead)

* * * * * * * *

The snowflakes sink down,
and neath their white gown
there hides a white crown
three wee flowers you see

Their heads are bent low,
Their hearts do not show
Who dreams neath the snow?
Three wee bells you see.

But soon they will ring
And tell us of spring.
Who can it be?
Snowdrops are we.

* * * * * * * *

bears who look for berries early
find bigger, better berries surely
but bees must wait till buds are open
before they buzz among the blossom

* * * * * * * *

pussy willow
I know a little a little pussy
her coat is silver gray
she lives down in the meadow
not very far away
although she is a pussy
she'll never be a cat
for she's a pussy willow
what do you think of that?

* * * * * * * *

lippety and loppety are two little rabbits
lippety loppety, lippety lop
all down the long field they go thro' the stubble
the lippety loppety back to the top

lippety loppety down to the bottom
and lippety loppety back to the top
lippety loppety lippety loppety
lippety loppety lippety lop
I can turn myself

I can turn myself and turn myself
or curl up when I will
I can stand on tiptoe high
or hold myself quite still

* * * * * * * *

Wake, little leaves,
For the Springtime is calling you;
Soft blow the breezes
And warm is the sun;
Wake, little leaves,
For the Springtime has come at last;
Wake, little leaves,
For the Springtime has come!

* * * * * * * *

White Sheep and Black Sheep
White sheep and black sheep,
Graze on a hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow;
White sheep and black sheep,
Where do you go?

* * * * * * * *

Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,
Can you or I or anyone know
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?

First the farmer sows his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Next the farmer waters the seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Next the farmer hoes the weeds,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:
Last the farmer harvests his seed,
Stands erect and takes his ease,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,
And turns around to view his lands.
Chorus:

* * * * * * * *

Pussy Willow wakened from her cozy winter nap.
For the frolicking spring breeze, on her door would tap.
" It is chilly weather, though the sun feels good;
I will wrap up warmly and wear my furry hood."
Mistress Pussy Willow opened wide her door;
Never had the sunshine seemed so bright before.
Never had the brooklet seemed so full of cheer;
"Good morning, Pussy Willow, Welcome to you, dear!"
Never guest was quainter, than when Pussy came to town,
In her hood of silver gray, and tiny coat of brown.
Happy little children cried with laugh and shout,
"Spring is coming, coming, Mistress Pussy Willow's out!"

* * * * * * * *

The North Wind is a beggar
Who shudders at the cold.
The South Wind is a sailor
With pockets full of gold.
The East Wind is a gypsy
With saucy cap and feather.
The West Wind is a wizard
Who conjures wicked weather.

The Winter Wind's a giant
As grumpy as a bear.
The Summer Wind's a lady
With flowers in her hair.
The Autumn Wind's an old man
As touchy as a thistle.
The Spring Wind is a gay lad
Who blows a silver whistle.

* * * * * * * *

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass----
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid,
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all----
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field or tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

* * * * * * * *

A kite, a sky,
and a good firm breeze,
And acres of ground
away from the trees,
And one hundred yards
of clean, strong string---
O boy, O boy!
I call that Spring!
At evening when I go to bed,
I see the stars shine overhead;
They are the little daisies white
That dot the meadow of the night.

"And often while I'm dreaming so,
Across the sky the Moon will go;
It is a lady, sweet and fair,
Who comes to gather daisies there.

"For when at morning I arise,
There's not a star left in the skies;
She's picked them all and dropped them down
Into the meadows of the town."

* * * * * * * *

Spring is here, said the bumble bee
How do you know, said the old oak tree
I see yellow daffodils
Dancing with the fairies on the windy hills.

* * * * * * * *

"In a milkweed cradle, all close and warm,
Little seeds are hiding safe from harm.
Open wide the cradle now, hold it high.
Come along wind, help them fly!

* * * * * * * *

There's a bridge of wondrous light
Filled with colors shining bright
Red and orange, yellow, green,
The fairest colors ever seen,
Blue and violet, magic rose;
Down from heaven to earth it goes

* * * * * * * * * *

Here we go, to and fro,
over the rainbow bridge we go.
Treading softly, treading slow,
over the rainbow bridge we go.
Gathering light from sun and star,
gathering light from heaven afar,
Down to earth all things to greet,
sharing the light with all we meet.
Here we go, to and fro,
over the rainbow bridge we go.
Treading softly, treading slow,
over the rainbow bridge we go.

* * * * * * * * * *

Tipperty-toes, the smallest elf,
Sat on a mushroom all by himself,
Playing a little tinkling tune
Under the big round harvest moon;
And this is the song that Tipperty made
To sing to the little tune he played.
Red are the hips, red are the haws,
Red and gold are the leaves that fall,
Red are the poppies in the corn,
Red berries on the rowan tall;
Red is the big round harvest moon,
And red are my new little dancing shoon.

* * * * * * * * * *

By the bushes on the green,
A little bunny can be seen,
With shiny paints - red, yellow, blue,
To paint a spring time egg for you!

* * * * * * * * * *

Come golden butterfly, close to me,
Your beautiful golden wings, I should like to see.
You fly like a bird, you sip like a bee,
But you're really a flower the wind has set free.

* * * * * * * * * *

Two little clouds one summer's day
Went flying through the sky.
They went so fast they bumped their heads,
And both began to cry.
Old Father Sun looked out and said,
Oh, never mind my dears,
I'll send my little fairy folk
To dry your falling tears.
One fairy came in violet,
And one in indigo,
In blue, green, yellow, orange, red,
They made a pretty row.
They wiped the clouds tears all away,
And then out from the sky,
Upon a line the sunbeams made,
They hung their gowns to dry.

* * * * * * * * * *

Radiant Sun from his throne in the sky
Looked down on earth where sleeping seeds lie
And thought to himself, "I think it's time
For flower babies to wake up and play."
So with his rays of gold he knocked and knocked
At each and every flower family's door,
"Wake up! Wake up!" he chuckled with glee,
"Time to wake up and color the earth's floor!"
The snowdrops were first, then crocus and rosies,
Daffodils, violets and all sorts of posies
Yawning and stretching under radiant sun,
Yes, all flowers create springtime fun!

* * * * * * * *

Gnomes Gnomes

 

Here are some great gnome verses that we use during our circle time. 

When the Gnomes Go Underground

When the gnomes go under ground :::clap clap:::
With the flowers they have found :::clap clap:::
With the seed bags on their backs :::clap clap:::
They march in boots of black :::clap clap:::

When the cold winds blow 'neath the roof of snow,
They work and play and sing :::clap clap:::
With the seeds they stored in the caves dug before
They sleep and wait for spring :::clap clap:::

When the gnomes go under ground :::clap clap:::
With the flowers they have found :::clap clap:::
With the seed bags on their backs :::clap clap:::
They march in boots of black :::clap clap:::
     (repeat the last three times, getting progressively quieter)

Rufty and Tufty

Rufty and Tufty were two little elves that
lived in a hollow tree
They did all the cooking and cleaning themselves
And often had friends in for tea.
Now Rufty wore red and Tufty wore blue,
And each wore a hat with a feather,
They kept their finest shoes under the bed,
that were made of the
softest green leather.
Now Rufty was clever and kept the accounts,
And Tufty did most of the cooking.
He made the sweetest cakes you ever did see,
And ate them when no one was looking.

I Knew a Gnome

I knew a gnome
Who had his home
Right in the middle of an oak tree.
He wore a hat
And breeches that
Were all of the colour of the oak tree.
Two squirrels lived above his head,
Some rabbits burrowed beneath his bed,
"I keep them warm and safe," he said,
"All in the middle of my oak tree."

A wise old owl
She found a hole
High in the trunk of the oak tree.
And come what may
She slept all day
High in the trunk of the oak tree.
But when at last she took her flight,
Hooting in the pale moonlight.
The gnome rode on her back all night,
Swooping all around about his oak tree.
      Trevor Smith Westgarth

Planting FUN!

"How do we understand one another? We understand the meaning of the words we speak, but on a deeper level we really take in the warmth and cold, the gaiety or gravity of anyone who speaks to us. The personal mood or feeling is, however, overlaid by something else, something the moods of sounds and words bring to us. Pop goes the weasel, ... Pussy cat, pussy cat, ... Worra, worra, worra, ... All of us remember being captivated by such sounds. Looking back we realize that it is not a single 's' or 'r' or 'o' that catches our attention, but the repetition, a rhythmic repetition, growing louder and softer, faster and slower, waking us or making us drowsy, bringing laughter or calm..."

~Rudolf Steiner

Children acquire a range of skills when they tend flowers in the a garden. Lessons about weather, soil, wildlife, ecology, and even language engage all five senses in children as they nurture plants they have grown themselves. Share your love of gardening with a child, and give him an opportunity to turn a summer of fun outdoors into a lifelong hobby.

Butterflies and Bumblebees

Planting flowers that encourage pollinators to visit your garden captivates children and provides an important lesson in ecology. Children can be afraid of bees, but if they’re not allergic to beestings there’s no reason why kids can’t enjoy observing non-aggressive bumblebees and native honeybees filling the pollen baskets on their legs.

Butterflies are easy to attract with nectar-rich flowers like butterfly bush or ‘Butterfly Blue’ scabiosa. You should also plant host plants like bronze fennel so children can observe the entire life cycle of these garden jewels.

Let's Plant a Dinosaur Garden

If your child marvels at the prehistoric world that dinosaurs once inhabited, you can recreate some of that antediluvian mystery in your own backyard. Plants that thrived during the Jurassic period include ferns, conifers, cycads, and gingkoes. Although the exact species that lived millions of years ago may not be available for cultivation now, the architectural beauty of similar plants may start a learning quest for the budding botany student.

Plant your Child's Name Garden
This is so much fun to do with a child of any age. Go together and pick flowers that represent the first letter of the names like for A BROOK garden I would plant


Blueberry bushes
Raspberry Bushes
Oregano
Ozothamus
Kolkwitzia


This is a great way for learning about new plants and a special garden all of there own .


Here is a great little verse to say while planting your special plants.

A little seed for me to sow.
A little earth to make it grow.
A little hole, a little pat,
a little wish, and that is that.
A little sun, a little shower,
a little while, and then a flower.

~Sing Through the Seasons

Number verse!

Verse for Introducing Number Qualities:

All together we are class ONE
See, the whole wide world is one
And the brightly shining sun
Sheds its light on everyone.
All alone I stand as one
And my heart shall be a sun.

You and I, we are TWO
And many things together do.
On two feet we walk and stand
With two eyes we view the land.
Two ears to hear what wise men tell
Two hands with which to do things well.

Father, mother and child are THREE
And make one happy family.
As head and heart and limbs so strong
Make one good man who'll do no wrong.

Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
FOUR different seasons to us bring.
From East and West, and South and North
The brother winds come blowing forth.
We make FIVE with our head
And our arms and legs outspread.
Now we are most like a star,
Shining brightly from afar.

We find SIX in all that is around
See, sparkling crystals in the ground
The honeycomb made by the bee,
Six-petalled flowers we also see.

The shining rainbow shows us SEVEN
As it stretches down from Heaven,
And the week has seven days
Taking us on different ways.

Wriggling spiders on EIGHT legs crawl
Spinning webs on every wall.
Octopus has eight legs too,
Four times as many legs as you.

NINE is a mystery hidden away
A secret to be revealed one day.

TEN fingers have we on our two hands.
Ten toes, as on two feet we stand.
For ten contains within two fives
Which we'll remember all our lives.

-Anon

Prayers and evening Verses

Some of my Favorites:

The Lady Moon up yonder is like a silver boat
Upon a dark blue ocean all silently afloat.
And when the fairies waken they climb the moonbeams white,
And far across the heavens go, sailing in the night.

Earth, we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.-- Rebecca Weston - 1890

Daily Blessings

Blessings on the blossom,
Blessings on the root,
Blessings on the leaf and stem,
Blessings on the fruit.

Earth we thank you for this food
For rest and home and all things good
For wind and rain and sun above
but most of all for those we love.

I thank the earth beneath me
For there I stand and walk.
I thank the air around me
Which helps me breathe and talk.
I thank the sun so warm and bright
So far away in Heavens height
To keep me safe 'til morning light.

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat;
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.

A great Collection of Waldorf Verses Part 3

Handwork verses


May our hands complete our task with patience,
May our work be done with care,
May our fingers work as friends together,
Then may we our handwork share.
Our hands have completed the task with patience,
We have done our work with care,
Our fingers have worked as friends together,
And we have our friendship shared.

May our fingers be nimble,
And our hearts be glad,
In every task we do.

From as far as the stars,
To here where I stand,
I come to use my right and left hand...
To card, to fluff, to wind, to knit,
For work so fine my hands are fit.




***************************************


Yarn in my hand
Mind on my work
a task to be complete






Additional Handwork Verses
Down in a cottage lives Weaver John
And a happy old John is he.
Maud is the name of his dear old dame
And a blessed old dame is she.

Whickity, whickity, click and clack,
How the shuttles do dance and sing,
Here they go, there they go, forth and back,
And a whackity song they sing.

Mommy has scissors, snip, snip, snip;
Mommy has cotton, stitch, stitch, stitch.
Mommy has buttons, one, two, three;
She's making a dress,
Just for me.

We are great big fans of finger knitting and putting this page together for you is a joy!

How To Finger Knit

Tie the yarn at the beginning of your ball around your index finger. Face your palm up and let the tail (the short end of the yarn) fall into your palm. Wrap the working yarn (the yarn coming from the ball) in a circle so that you have a strand of yarn wrapped above the tied yarn on your index finger. The working yarn should now be close to where it started. With the fingers of your other hand, lift the bottom loop over the top loop and drop it off the back of your finger. Repeat steps one and two several times. You will see that a knitted chain is quickly forming. Continue until the chain is as long as you want it to be. To finish, cut the working yarn a few inches from the end of the chain. Push the end of the yarn through the last loop and pull tightly.
(from the book: Kids Knitting by Melanie Falick)

Finger Knitting Story: The Shepherd and His Sheep 

 

The first part of the story is to demonstrate the technique on the floor i.e. without the loop on your finger. The second half then shows the children how to do the knitting with the loop on your finger. It is best to have a length of yarn handy while telling the story, and demonstrate as you tell it.)

There was once an old shepherd, who had a large, energetic flock of sheep. Every morning he would take the flock of sheep up the mountain to a beautiful green meadow where the sheep would eat the delicious grass. But each day, when it came time to make the journey up the mountainside, the old shepherd would struggle to keep the whole flock of young, energetic sheep together. Some would run away to nibble grass, some to play under the trees, and others would wander off among the mountain flowers.

The poor shepherd wanted to keep them together for their safety, but he was too old to chase after them. And so he thought and thought about what he could do to keep all the sheep together so that they could get to the meadow safely. At last, he had an idea. And so, the old shepherd carefully built a little gate [make a slip knot in the yarn at this point in the story]. And the next morning, he showed each sheep how to go through the gate one at a time [draw a loop of yarn through the slip knot 'gate' for each sheep as he guides them, and pull tight], and when each sheep got to the other side, the old shepherd was delighted to see that they all were happy to stand one behind the other. [show the children how the 'sheep' line up on the other side].

And so, for a few days, that was how the shepherd went up the mountain with his sheep to get to the green meadow. After a few days, though, the shepherd noticed that it took a long time for each sheep to walk through the gate one at a time. And so he thought and thought about what he could do. [Put loop on index finger of left hand now]. Then the shepherd had an idea. He told each sheep to stand ready, and then, with the gate in front of them [at this point, place the long 'tail' of yarn over the same index finger, in front of the first loop], he showed the sheep how to jump over the gate [take back loop, pull it over the front piece of yarn and right off the finger, and then draw tight - not too tight though!].

As each sheep jumped over the gate, the shepherd was delighted to see that once again, the sheep were all happy to stand one behind the other. In this way, the sheep were gathered for their journey much more quickly. And so, from that day forward, the old shepherd never had to worry about his sheep again and they all went easily and happy to the green meadow together every day.

(story copyright 1998, K. Manchip, all rights reserved)

Finger Knitting Verses

In the woods goes the hunter,
Round the tree goes the dog,
Out pops the rabbit,
And off they run.

Use your little pinchers...
Go into the cave...
Grab the little snake...
My, but you are brave!
Pull it back through..
So two of you can play...
Close up the hole...
So he can't get away.

In through the front door,
Run around the back,
Peek through the window,
and off jumps Jack.

Help me wind my ball of wool,
Hold it gently, do not pull.
Wind the wool and wind the wool,
Around, around, around.

A great Collection of Waldorf Verses Part 2

First Grade Circle Verses

A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see
But all that she could see see see
was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea

* * * * * * * * * *

There’s no need to light a night light
On a bright night like tonight.
For a night light is a slight light
On a bright night like tonight.

* * * * * * * * * *

Trippity, trippity light and neat
Hark to the putter of dancing feet!
Trippity trippity against the pane
Fairies a-frolicking out in the rain!

* * * * * * * * * *

Swing, swing, sing, sing, here’s my throne and I am king!
Swing, swing, sing, sing, farewell earth I’m on the wing!
Low, high, here I fly, like a bird through sunny sky.
Free, free, over the lea, over the mountain, over the sea.

* * * * * * * * * *

Calmly we move as the waves of the sea
Steadily beat on the shore.
Sheltering havens of peace shall we be
Till every tempest is over.

* * * * * * * * * *

The morning sun has risen, let’s join our hands and go
To brightly flowered meadows, to forests green and gold.
Let’s find a secret hollow where fairies come to play,
And build a hut of willow branch where we may spend the day.
We do not care for danger, we are so strong and brave.
Our hands are ever ready to care, protect and save.
Whatever friend does find us, we lend to them a hand,
And do our best to give our best, to care and understand.
Let’s join our hands and follow, adventure beckons nigh,
To brightly flowered meadows, to mountains great and high.
We stand by one another, by Michaels’s side.
The sun does warm us everyday, the stars do guide at night.
Mother Earth doth secrets hold
In rocks and trees and flowers of old.
Long imprisoned thoughts enfold,
Here is wonder, here is gold.

* * * * * * * * * *

Run, run, run, run, to town, to town to have some fun.
Hop, hop, hop, hop, we will hop until we stop.
Skip, skip, skip, skip, we will skip and never trip.
Jump, jump, jump, jump, now we go down with a bump.

* * * * * * * * * *

The jolly jester of Sir John, jumped into a giant jar of juicy jam just as a
joke.

* * * * * * * * * *

The King’s daughter was wicked and wild
She kicked and she spat
And she never smiled.

* * * * * * * * * *

Two legs lifted the little log hut
Legs that were left from you guess what.

* * * * * * * * * *

A lovely yellow swallow tail
Landed on a lazy snail
Lying on a lettuce leaf
And lunching like a garden thief.

* * * * * * * * * *

The slimy slithering snake and the foolish fox
Slyly found there way into the valley where the
Giggling gaggle of geese greeted the sun with song.

* * * * * * * * * *

If you don’t zip up your zipper
You’ll freeze in the breeze
And then begin to sneeze
O please zip up your zipper
O please!

* * * * * * * * * *

Ah, the sparkling water tastes divine.
"Ah," said Aga, as he heard the great saga,
"What tall tales are told about bad Baba Yaga".
Ee, he shrieked in glee from tree to tree.
I like fine fawn fur.
Oh, how the yellow flowers glow in the meadow.
OO, the huge owl swoops and hoots uhu, uhu.

* * * * * * * * * *

Wiggle wiggle gnome
Wiggle wiggle here and wiggle wiggle there
Wiggle your fingers up in the air
Wiggle your shoulders up and down
Wiggle your nose and smile like a clown
Wiggle your legs both left and right
Wiggle wiggle here and wiggle wiggle there
Now sit down and don’t move a hair.

* * * * * * * * * *

K goes of bang
It’s in kiss and kick
Kitchen and keeper
It’s at the end of quick
K is in kettle
Kipper and kite
But sometimes it’s
Modest as in know and knight.

* * * * * * * * * *

Queen quite quiet
By the river
Watch the quail quiver and quiver.

* * * * * * * * * *

Whether the weather be fine
Or whether the weather be not
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot
We’ll weather the weather
Whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.

* * * * * * * * * *

"How do you do goose?"
"How do you do?"
"Are you a new goose?"
"Quite new, are you?"
"yes, I’m like you, goose,
a true new goose too>"
"How do you do, New Goose?"
"How do you do?"

* * * * * * * * * *

My maid Mary,
She minds the dairy,
While I go a-hoeing and mowing each morn:
Merrily run the reel,
And the little spinning wheel,
Whilst I am singing and mowing my corn.

* * * * * * * * * *

Midst the mountains melting snows
Murmuring breezes meekly blow;
But mighty winds among the vales
Meet mists that move o’er marshes pale.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bean bag bean bag 1-2-3
Under your right leg on your knee
Bean bag bean bag 1-2-3
Under your left leg on your toe
Bean bag bean bag 1-2-3
And away you go

* * * * * * * * * *

Wake up you sleepy head and go and find the cattle
Wake up you sleepy heads and go and find the cows
The sun is so warm and the cows are all lost
I think I’ll rest until they come home….