1. Music in the Early Childhood Classroom

2. Sasha! – Russian Folk Dance
“Sasha! Sasha! Ras, Dva Tri!”
Right, right, right
Left, left, left,
Both, both, both,
Knees, knees, knees. (repeat clapping)
Right arm swing, left arm swing
“Dasvidanya!” – take a walk

3. Why Music?

4. What are they learning musically?
Self Space/General Space
Steady Beat/Rhythm
Relationship with others and sensitivity
Problem solving and discrimination
Socializing
Locomotor movement
Folk Dance – Russian

5. Connections to the classroom

6. Little Sally Walker - African American Playground Game

7. Sally Walker Extension
Break into groups of three and do each person’s gesture
Decide which goes first, second and third (sequence)
How can you do it as a group (simultaneously or in sequence of movement)
What is the transition between movements?
Perform for each other
If time permits, discuss the success and challenges of this activity – especially for those who are new to movement – what if your kids haven’t done this kind of movement before?
How could you use other learning opportunities in the classroom for the creative section? Characters from a book – vocabulary words – science concepts etc.

8. Your turn! Assignment #1
Find a playground game that contains the concepts of rhythm/singing/small movement. Good resources for playground games are:
Know the origin of the game/culture
Be prepared to teach it/show it
Submit a paragraph write up on the game with its origin and teaching process.

9. Seated Folk Dance - Hoe Ana – from the Polynesian Islands