Thankfully, it's a very common elementary music song and was easy to find a copy. We added body percussion after we learned to sing while keeping the beat.
John (stomp)
Kanaka-na-ka (pat)
too-la (clap)
lay (snap)
The tough part was splitting into two circles. I had to make an inside circle and an outside circle. The only way I could keep the kids from getting confused was literally to place one student in front of another and say "THIS is your partner-always face them."
Eventually, I brought their attention to the fact that we had two circles-an "inside" and an "outside".
I then showed them what the rotation parts will look like. One of the easier ways to get their attention to this detail is to say "Ok, now watch me and see if you can figure out what I'm going to do" or "Let's see who's going to get this because this part is really tricky!"
The kids see it as a challenge and immediately rise to the occasion. One of my biggest challenges, as an educator, is a 'wandering mind'. Kids are smart and they understand concepts-we just have to make sure they're giving it their full attention!
John (drum)
Kanaka-na-ka (rhythm sticks)
too-la (triangle)
lay (gong)
1) My job gets better every year.
2) 1 circle = easy. 2 circles = challenge
3) The gong is everything.
Musically yours,
Miss Reyna