Summer Reading #3: Paddle, Paddle, Quack :)

Here we are--#3 in the summer reading series!

The summer reading program is focusing on animals (tails) and stories (tales) this year.  Well, I've got plenty of both types of flannel boards that fit the bill--but I thought it would be fun to add some new songs and movement activities to the mix.

Over the next several weeks, I'll be adding new videos of these new songs to my YouTube channel.  I'll also post them right here on the blog.

This time, I've got my Five Little Ducks set again.  I have sung the Five Little Ducks 857 trillion times over the years, and I don't really get tired of it.  There are always ways to mix things up by adding fun voices and names to the ducks, or having them hide in funny places when they go over the hills and far away...  

But this time, we're going all out brand new.  The ducks will be used more as visuals while we get up and act out the song.  Kids who don't want to join in might be happy to just do the motions with their hands.  And of course, observers are always welcome--they just might need to get out of the way for the waddling feet and wiggling tails of their neighbors in this active song!

Here are the ducks:

Here is the video:

And here are the lyrics: 

Paddle, Paddle, Quack!  ©Wendy Gerbi

Spread out your felt ducks on the board and talk a bit about all the parts of the duck you see.  Have the kids test out their own feet, tails, wings, and bills.  Invite them to stand up and be the ducks!   Get active and flap your wings, paddle your feet, dip your bills, etc!

(This one is sung to the tune of All the Fish are Swimming in the Water)

The little ducks’ feet are paddling in the water,

Paddling in the water, paddling in the water.

The little ducks’ feet are paddling in the water…

Paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle…QUACK!

 

Their little orange bills are dipping in the water,

Dipping in the water, dipping in the water.

Their little orange bills are dipping in the water…

Dip, dip, dip, dip, dip, dip…QUACK!

 

Their little feathered tails are wiggling in the water,

Wiggling in the water, wiggling in the water.

Their little feathered tails are wiggling in the water…

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle…QUACK!

 

Their little yellow wings are flapping in the water,

Flapping in the water, flapping in the water.

Their little yellow wings are flapping in the water…

Flap, flap, flap, flap, flap, flap…QUACK!

 

The tired little ducks are snuggling with their papa,

Snuggling with their papa, snuggling with their papa…

The tired little duck are snuggling with their papa…

Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle, snuggle, snuggle, snuggle, SNORE!

 

Painting with Rolling Things!

I'm always touting the fine motor benefits of a good old fashioned art activity.  Those tiny muscles get worked, challenged, and built by holding onto thin or thick paint brushes, by spreading or drizzling glue, by placing small scraps of paper carefully onto the paper...

But it's not all about fine motor!  Art activities can build gross motor skills, too.  Vehicle painting and using rolling sponges and other rolling tools are two easy ways to build the larger muscles of the arms, as well as core stabilization.  

To get the most out of those benefits, provide large work spaces and larger pieces of paper when you do these activities.  Group paintings are great for this--simply tape a huge piece of paper onto a large table, provide several plates of paint with a vehicle or paint roller nestled on top, and watch them go!

Giving the kids their own individual trays works well, too.  I like to cut large pieces of paper and present them on a long tray, which really encourages that back and forth motion from one end of the paper to the other.

There are all sorts of painting tools available for this sort of activity.  You can use rollers intended for painting, and I liked to mix it up with stamp rollers as well.

Do you love rolling tools for art?  How have you tweaked this activity for your classroom?  Share in the comments!