* * * * * * * *
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!
* * * * * * * *
