For the first time in our library’s history, we ran our own summer reading program — Make Some Noise! What better opportunity to do a bi-weekly music and movement dance party? This program was advertised for ages 0-7 and their families.
The Plan
Book
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
This book is a celebration where a little boy gets his whole neighborhood to dance with him. To me, it felt like a giant celebration of the success of “Shake Shimmy” this whole summer. The kids really enjoyed their last chance to dance around with me and this book just embodied that joy.
Props
Parachute! (WARNING: Measure your room before you buy a chute!! This one just fits in our large meeting space, but I almost bought the next size up based on the handles…)
The Playlist
Hello & How Are You? — Old Town School of Folk Music
Fee Fi Fo Fum — Ralph Covert
List of Dances — Jim Gill
Dance, Freeze, Melt — Eric Litwin and Michael Levine
Sunny Day — Elizabeth Mitchell
Hot Poppin’ Popcorn — The Wiggles
Parachute Bop — Michael Plunkett
Ring Around the Rosie — Caspar Babypants
Shake Hands With Friends — Ella Jenkins
How It Went
And with my very last session, I dropped the ball. I have absolutely no notes! I chose to end with the parachute since it was my absolute FAVORITE prop from the whole summer. And I think every song here is one that I’ve used before. Towards the end of the program, I really wanted to use material that I knew worked and so that’s what I wound up doing! I’m taking a break from Shake Shimmy for this fall, but have it back on the schedule in winter and spring sessions. Those posts should be right around the corner!
(For an example of the Powerpoint and handouts that I made for each Shake, Shimmy please visit the original post.)
