Musically Montessori: Day 5 Musical Group Management ~ Creating Community

DID YOU KNOW THAT CREATING A "COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS" IS A DYNAMIC STRATEGY FOR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT? Make it musical, and you have a winning combination!

This post is my musical group management article "Day 5," the fifth in my "24 Strategies" series. 

You can read the other posts at the links below:

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You can read "Day 2" at this link.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read "Day 3" at this link.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

You are reading this one right here.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BUILDING COMMUNITY

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for creating an atmosphere that promotes the feeling of "community" among your young learners.

Musical activities at Circle Time are one of the very best ways for children to interact in a group. 

You can capitalize on these musical group times to facilitate activities that invite children to work (and play) together. When children feel more and more a part of the group, they begin to build a community. 

DAY 5: TO CREATE A "COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS"

When there is a feeling of community, children behave more respectfully towards each other and so there are less occurrences of troublesome behaviors. 

This community-building strategy, through musical experiences, weaves a sturdy cloth of positive behaviors that become routine with the children.

Strategy #18 

"COOPERATION MAKES IT HAPPEN"

Any task that requires two or more people, is an excellent time to incorporate a song about cooperation.

We have many opportunities to sing such songs in the Montessori classroom! There are times when children may carry and move a table together, or bring several parts of a shelf work to the circle, or tidy up a big mess...the list goes on and on.

Below are 2 videos with some sweet cooperation-themed songs that I have used in my classroom. We sing the choruses spontaneously whenever the occasion arises. (Even if it is not a group circle time)

Sesame Street Cooperation song

The chorus to the song in the following video,  has been an all-time favorite in my Preschool groups:

"Cooperation Makes It Happen"

Strategy #19 

RHYTHM PATTERNS W/ VOICE

My music classes with groups of young children always include rhythm echoes in our 2 or 3 minute warm-up for the day's lesson. 

Whenever groups of children are keeping vocal rhythm patterns together, they are developing a sense of community in a subtle way. 

In unison, they are "echoing" the teacher,  and the underlying rhythm of the pattern draws each singer into the group. It's just about irresistible and effortless, considering that the leader (teacher) keeps that steady underlying and infectious beat!

Here is a sampling of echo rhythms that we warm-up with in my groups:

"Rhythm Echoes 1," from Magical Movement Company

Strategy #20 

RHYTHM PATTERNS W/ INSTRUMENTS

Later in our music class, we once again practice rhythm patterns, only this time, instead of our voices, we use our rhythm instruments: rhythm sticks, maracas, triangles, tambourines, etc.  That is how we warm up on our instruments, like professional musicians. 

This musical activity is the beginning of what we call "ensemble playing." As children practice these each week repeatedly, and develop skill, they are soon playing these rhythms in unison. 

It's like the children have become "band-mates!" Becoming like a band is certainly community-building and fun. 

Here is a video of Frank Leto's technique of using rhythm echoes to build group musical cohesiveness. After the vocal echoes, he introduces "body percussion," so clapping, patting and tapping makes the body become a sort of percussion instrument.

Echoes & Rhythms with Frank Leto

Strategy #21 

RAINBOW ELASTIC "STRETCHY BAND"

As you will see in the following short video, my groups continue to practice the rhythm patterns with which we warm up our voices and our rhythm instruments. Now this time, these rhythms are repeated as a group, holding onto a giant elastic rainbow colored "stretchy band."

 

Montessori Music Activity with Rainbow Stretchy Band

The stretchy band is a wonderful group unifier. After clearly presenting the ground rules for this activity, I am always delighted to see how much the children greatly enjoy the the thrill of being connected to everyone else while moving in unison to the familiar musical patterns. Lots of giggles!

You can read more about how we do it and a DIY substitute for the stretchy band, at my blog article, From the Montessori Music Room: Four Ways To Move With A "Stretchy Band!"

And, here is a video featuring one of my favorite Orff-Schulwerk teachers, Tamara O'Brien, demonstrating a lovely performance piece for children, using a giant stretchy band.

Orff Activity "Caravan" from "We're Orff 2"

Strategy #22 

FREEZE DANCE WITH HOOPS

To bring a spirit of togetherness to the popular activity of freeze dancing, the teacher can simply add a few hula hoops to the game.

As the music plays, everyone dances around in the movement area of the room until the music stops and the children must "freeze." 

However, in this version, each child quickly finds a hoop where s/he must "freeze." Invariably, the hoops fill up with children who are scrambling to find a spot in which to freeze. They always manage to fit one more child into their hoops, and voila---it's another community building activity! 

You can see it in action in this video:

Hula Hoop Freeze Dance

Strategy #23 

PARTNER DANCING

Another community-builder is movement coordinated with a partner. There are many children's songs that are actually partner dances and circle dances.

 

"Partner dancing" involves 2 children and/or a group arranged in a circle. The participants coordinate their actions and once again we, as the teachers,  are setting up a community-developing activity that is fun and sometimes even a bit challenging.

    

Some of these are: "Skip to My Lou", "Buffalo Gals", "Noble Duke of York, "Alabama Gal", "Sur Le Pont, d'Avignon", "Bow To Your Partner", "Brother Come and Dance with Me", ***"Here's a Little Bluebird, Flying Through My Window" to name a few.

 

Amidon's "Noble Duke of York" demo

Amidon's New England Dancers: "Buffalo Gals"

Kindergarten "Sur LePont d'Avignon" demo

"Little Brother, Dance with Me" Virtual 

***HERE'S A LITTLE BLUE BIRD Activity: A child is chosen to be the "bird" and flies around the circle, then s/he chooses a partner to "hop in the garden". At the end of the song the first child leaves the circle and the partner becomes the "bird". Continue until all children have left the circle to go to the next activity.

Strategy #24 

PARTNER PLAYING

Another extension of partnership movement, is comprised of the activities featuring two children playing instruments while facing each other and playing in unison. 

With my groups, we use 8" rhythm sticks. I introduce this kind of activity only when the group is really skilled in playing rhythm sticks. Likewise, the children are 4 years old and upward, because they are generally skilled enough to play these sticks as partners successfully. It is quite challenging and the older children love this challenge. 

We play partner rhythm sticks with simple and familiar songs that the children know well. (ex: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

A simple way to do it:

~ Set up the partners so that they are sitting facing each other.

Follow this pattern:

~ Tap your sticks on the floor

~ Tap your sticks together

~ Tap the ends of your sticks to the ends of your partner's sticks

Following are some videos showing a partner playing activity from the Maori culture using sticks. This traditional activity is very challenging and not really appropriate for preschoolers. However, the song and actions are lovely and could be simplified and adapted for a group that is experienced and skilled in playing rhythm sticks.  

"E Papa Wairi" Maori Stick Song Activity

Maori Stick Song

I am so happy to know that you have come to visit my Blog today, and I hope you enjoy trying some of these strategies  with your group.

You might also enjoy exploring some of my Musically Montessori eCourses at this link.

Looking for more ideas?

My Musically Montessori eBook is part of my Freebie Collection available for my email subscribers. I invite you to subscribe at this link.

And...

I invite you to check out my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses at this link. You'll see my techniques in action in the instructional videos in all my eCourses.

Photos are from Adobe Stock Photos and Carolyn's Photo Archives

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Musically Montessori: Let's All Sing the "Penguin, Penguin Song"

IT MAY BE SUMMER, AND IT MAY BE HOT...BUT LITTLE CHILDREN LOVE TO "COOL DOWN" WITH PENGUIN SONGS AND THE STUDY OF ANTARCTICA!

During my many years in the Montessori classroom, I found that the Preschool children loved studying about the continent of Antarctica during the warmer days of summer because we could have fun outdoors with ice sculptures and penguins!

KEEPING COOL

What could be more fun than filling the water table with water, plastic models of penguins and lots of ice cubes? 

Our Montessori Preschoolers had fun creating "icebergs" in the summertime water table for their exploration of penguins and the continent of Antarctica.

Ideas:

• We added ice cubes and a bag of crushed ice to the water in the water table with lots of model penguins. 
• We also had fun with plastic penguins encased in ice cubes! 

      ~You can use the small sized penguins that come in the Wild

       Safari "Penguin Toob" and plastic containers filled with water

       and placed in the freezer to create "penguins in an ice cube!"

• We created beautiful "ice sculptures" with bags of large blocks of ice and rock salt. 

       ~Set up an outdoor area where you can make a wet mess:

        children build sculptures by placing ice blocks and then

        sprinkling rock salt on the block. 

      ~Next,  add another block of ice and more rock salt. The rock

       salt causes the ice blocks to stick together. Add plastic

       penguins to go sliding down the ice! 

KEEP SINGING

We sang a simple "sol-mi" song about Penguins. Here are the words to the song. Use the melody of "Rain, Rain Go Away!" Invite the children to do the actions in the song, too.

CREATE A FULL UNIT TO 

ADD TO YOUR ANTARCTICA STUDIES

You can create a fun Unit of Activities to incorporate musical activities into your studies of the Continent of Antarctica. 

I invite you to check out my TPT Activity unit HERE.

WHAT IS INSIDE the TpT PACKET:

~ A Montessori-style Write-up of Activities and how to present them to the children

~ Links to hear the song sung by me

~ Downloadable Printable Templates:

·       Visuals of Penguins and Antarctica

·       Action Command Cards to go along with this song

·       Sequence Cards of the Life Cycle of the Penguin

·       Make Your Own Stick Puppet

~ More Resources

"All About Penguins for Kids" Youtube video

"Penguin Ice Skating Activity" Youtube video

~ An Outline of ways this Activity benefits the child (a rationale)

You can learn more at my TpT Store.

Have fun and stay cool!

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"Creating an Art Curriculum for Young Children" eCourse

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Thank you for visiting my Blog today, and I hope you have found some fun ideas for your children.

Photos in this article are from Adobe Stock and Pixabay

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Musically Montessori: Day 3: Musical Ways to Manage Daily Routines in the Montessori Classroom

MANAGING THE DAILY PROCEDURES IN A GROUP OF PRESCHOOLERS CAN HAVE A MAGICAL INGREDIENT...MUSIC!

Using music and songs can make your classroom procedures go along effortlessly and very proficiently. Singing is my magic wand for managing the everyday activities in the Montessori environment.

This post is my musical group management article "Day 3," the third in my "24 Strategies" series. 

You can read the other posts in this series by clicking on the links below:

           

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

             You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You can read "Day 2" at this link.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read this one right here.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

            You can read "Day 5" at this link.

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for reinforcing the daily routine activities that make a classroom move along smoothly. 

*"Show...show...show"*

A little child's brain is like a sponge...an "absorbent mind." I think this is one of the most exciting things about teaching young children. As Montessori educators, we actually don't need to teach, as much as "show, show, show!" This little phrase was brought up many times during my Montessori training many years ago and, as a new teacher, I spent most of my days, showing and showing and showing. So, I decided to accompany all this "showing" with singing and I discovered that it works like magic!

DAY 3: 
MUSIC FOR MANAGING DAILY ROUTINES

There are so many components of the Montessori method that incorporate the principles of order, concentration, coordination, and independence. 

Montessori children take care of the environment themselves. Their tools are child-size and in good working order.  Each activity has an organized sequence to follow. Classroom procedures are well-defined and designed in such a way that the children can perform them without adult assistance. Each child sets up their individual work on a designated work rug or mat. Then, it is that child's responsibility to return their individual work to its place on the shelf. Children are encouraged to respect others' work, and it is understood that each child is allowed to complete their activity before the next child has a turn.

Songs can make some of these daily procedures easier for children to remember and follow, like for example:

• Setting up the work rug or mat
• Waiting in line
• Waiting for a turn
• Washing hands and self care
• Cleaning up
• Maintaining the environment
• Preparing food and eating together

Strategy #10 
"ROLL ROLL ROLL THE RUG"

I am surprised when I notice that very few classrooms teach the song, "Roll, roll, roll the Rug" to the children to remind them of how to successfully roll up a Montessori work rug.

When I was taking my second Montessori training in the 2000's, I learned this cute little musical trick for teaching children the technique of rolling and tapping the ends of the work rug.

The song is sung to the melody of "Row, row, row your Boat."

When presenting the lesson, the teacher is showing the children how to roll the rug while she sings the words of the song.

The rug rolling song uses these words:

"Roll, roll, roll the rug

Roll it nice and straight,

Tap the ends, tap the ends

Make sure that it is straight."

I love to sing this song whenever I see a child rolling up a rug. It is a delightful way to reinforce the lesson!

Strategy #11 
"THIS IS THE WAY WE..."

Okay, there are a gazillion little actions throughout each day that keep the Preschool environment running smoothly. 

Children must wash their hands, set up the snack table, sweep up crumbs on the floor, carry scissors, sit at circle, put away art work, scrub an art mat, put on an apron, cut a banana, carry a tray, hold a pencil...the list is endless!

When presenting the procedures for the various tasks that keep the classroom running smoothly, I almost always include a little song about the actions of the procedures. These songs can be short and sweet, or they can also have several verses. 

For example, washing hands has many steps and I sing about each one when I give the first lessons to the children at Circle Time.

If you don't know the song, "Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush" then you are in for a treat!  The simple melody of this song works beautifully with just about any set of actions you can think of!

Example: "Washing Hands Song" (to the melody of Mulberry Bush song)

While singing the words, the teacher is showing the children the actions by pantomiming (or actually doing it at the sink)

Verse 1:

"This is the way we wash our hands, 

wash our hands, wash our hands. 

This is the way we wash our hands, 

so early in the morning.

Verse 2:

This is the way we turn on the water, 

turn on the water, turn on the water,

This is the way we wet our hands,

so early in the morning.

Verse 3:

This is the way we pump the soap... (etc.)

Verse 4:

This is the way we rub hands together... (etc.)

Verse 5:

This is the way we rinse the soap off... (etc.)

Verse 6:

This is the way we turn off the water... (etc.)

Verse 7:

This is the way we dry our hands... (etc.)

Verse 8:

This is the way we throw away the paper towel... (etc.)

Strategy #12 
BEFORE EATING: "Bon Apetit"

Every early childhood environment I have seen, has a little procedure for eating together. 

First, the children are encouraged to wait until everyone is seated with their food.

Next, there is a simple way of settling and getting quiet. 

I like to sing a simple "Thank You Song" that is sung to the melody of "Rain, rain, Go Away."

Here are the words I like best: (sung to Rain, Rain song melody)

"Thank you, thank you 

Thank you for the snack,

Thank you, thank you

Thank you very much!"

Then we say (as opposed to singing) "Bon a petit, you may eat!"

This little musical moment of centering before eating together quickly becomes a classroom tradition and aids the children in remembering to stop, wait for everyone to get their food, and then to quiet down before taking that first bite!

Strategy #13 
TAKING TURNS: "We're waiting..."

Okay...we all know how trying it can be to have to wait! And, little children spend quite a bit of time waiting. At school, there is waiting in line, waiting for a turn, waiting to eat or waiting to go to the next activity. There are even times when it is so very hard to wait...like when the muffins are baking in the oven!

In my Montessori classroom music lessons, we sometimes have a special instrument that is passed around the circle for each child to try out. A few years ago, I discovered a sweet and simple little song to sing during times when children are having to wait for their turn to play that special instrument. 

My groups love singing it. Check out my video below to hear the "We're Waiting" Song  

You can easily change the words in the song to fit the situation. For example, we sing "We're Passing...passing...passing very carefully!" to remind the children to keep passing whatever object is being explored at group time. 

Here's a fun suggestion:

Turn the waiting time into an activity by singing, "We're clapping, clapping, clapping while we wait in line..."!

So here we have a few more musical ideas for classroom management with a gentle touch! 

Thanks once again for visiting my Blog today and I hope you are getting lots of ideas for musically managing your group in your Preschool environment!

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You might also like to learn more about classroom management in one of my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses. I invite you to check them out at this link!

     

 

Thanks once again for visiting my Blog today and I hope you are getting lots of ideas for musically managing your group in your Preschool environment!

Photos are from Magical Movement Company archives and from Adobe Stock. All rights reserved.

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Musically Montessori: Day 2: Music Activities For Managing Behavior ~ Grace & Courtesy Lessons

DO YOU EVER STRUGGLE WITH GROUP MANAGEMENT IN YOUR PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT? TRY MUSIC!

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for promoting grace & courtesy skills that encourage positive behavior.  

Photo by J J Idarius Photography

You can read the other posts at the links below:

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

             You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You are reading this one right here.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read "Day 3" at this link.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

            You can read "Day 5" at this link.

A BIT ABOUT SOCIAL GRACES and YOUNG CHILDREN

*"Teach" by your example*

One of the most effective ways to teach children the social graces is by your own example. They will naturally and spontaneously act the way the adults around them act. 

As teachers, we are trained to behave respectfully towards children, as well as other adults in the environment. A day in the Montessori classroom will have times for greeting & shaking hands, introducing ourselves to visitors, asking for things, apologizing, walking around others and their work, lining up, eating meals together, taking turns, and the list goes on and on!

*Don't force it*

My one rule of thumb in the classroom is not to force children to say "please", "thank you", and especially "I'm sorry."

However, consistently giving the children the language of grace and courtesy will be very effective. Songs and musical games can reinforce polite and positive interactions in a playful and fun way. 

Also, I have seen that children retain information when they have little songs to remind them.

*Be aware of cultural differences 
regarding social graces*

There are some families whose background may differ from the teacher's. (For example: Some cultures expect children to avoid making eye contact with adults, considering this to be disrespectful.) 

It is important for us, as teachers, to find out about any cultural differences in our groups that influence the children's grace and courtesy practices. Then, we can give our Grace & Courtesy Lessons in mindful ways.

DAY 2: 
MUSIC FOR GRACE & COURTESY

Personally, I love the classic Montessori lessons in Grace & Courtesy. When I was a classroom teacher, I always looked forward to giving these lessons during the first weeks of school. They are foundational in classroom management and the Lessons can be fun and effective, through music & movement!

My co-teacher and I would create little scenarios to present to the children. We would "dramatize" scenes like:  

• walking around The Circle as opposed to walking in front of others when children are gathered in a group 
• greeting each other and shaking hands
• listening and waiting for your turn to speak
• asking for things
• sitting at snack or lunch
• waiting in line
• taking turns
• walking around the work rug
• and, most importantly: how to give a "message" to others who are being hurtful

Here are some musical ways to present and reinforce some of the Montessori lessons in grace & courtesy:

Strategy #5.  
"WALK AROUND THE CIRCLE" SONG
FOR KEEPING ORDERLINESS 

One of my favorite songs for reminding children to walk around the group when children are gathered for Circle Time, is a song from Frank Leto that I have adapted as a simple reminder.

 "Walk Around the Circle" is a fun song to  play for the children as they move to the actions of the words. Then, I use the melody to simply sing the phrase "Walk around the circle" when showing children how to walk behind the sitting children. Later, whenever a reminder is necessary, I spontaneously sing the phrase, instead of saying it to the child.

Strategy #6.  
"PLEASE & THANK YOU SONGS"
FOR DEVELOPING RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

The little "drama lessons" that are shown at The Circle are delightful for the children, especially when the children are given turns to act these scenarios out themselves. 

Saying "please" when asking for something, then remembering to say "thank you" is so important in life! Children hear this over and over from all the adults around them. 

What is even more effective for reminding children of these "magic words" is singing them! 

You can view this little collection of short Youtube videos for ideas of how to remind the children in fun ways that will stick in their minds.

My groups LOVE using sign language for 

"please" and "thank you." 

This little song is simple and effective 
any time throughout the day:



This is a traditional "please and thank you song" that is fun to do at group time.  Here is a fun EXTENSION: You can pass around plastic veggies, fruit, and other play foods (or even butter) to enhance the song with actions!



Strategy #7. 
"PLEASE DON'T PUSH ME" SONG
GIVING CHILDREN TOOLS FOR GROUP INTERACTIONS

*When children hurt others...*

For many years, I have worked at Fountainhead Montessori School, as a teacher, a site director and nowadays I am an AMS teacher trainer with their FMAE program.

A phrase that we use with the children throughout the day is: "Did you give him/her a message?" or "Did you hear her/his message?"

These are the phrases we use to remind children to speak up to the child who is hurting. (give a message) We go on to suggest words (messages) for the child to say. An example is: "Please don't push me!"

*Teach children how to give effective "messages"*

One of my favorite songs about this topic is Woody Guthrie's "Don't You Push Me." The recording is fun to sing along with. Then, you can sing this song without the recording and  change the words a bit, adding "please," so the children sing,  "Please don't push me, push me, push me. Don't you push me down." 

You can easily incorporate this little song into your drama-demonstration during your Grace & Courtesy Lessons about what to do when someone hurts you.

And, you can substitute other words, such as "don't kick me", or "don't call me names", etc.

Strategy #8. 
FOCUSED LISTENING
TO DEVELOP BETTER COMMUNICATION

An integral part of developing social graces is learning how to listen. Children deserve lots of practice with developing their abilities to listen attentively. And, this practicing is most effective when it takes the form of a game for the children. 

Focused listening activities can take many forms, including an extension of the "Montessori Silence Game." Before going into the silence, you can ask the children to listen for what sounds they hear during the Silence Game. I like to open a window so that children might hear birds singing or the wind blowing!

There are many "What's That Sound" listening games, such as "Mystery Bags" filled with various everyday household items. The children close their eyes while the teacher makes a sound with one of the objects from the bag (ex: shaking keys). Then, the children guess what made the sound. You can vary the objects in the Mystery Bag, for example: using a variety of rhythm instruments. You can even ditch the bag and simply play the game with sounds that you make with the body (ex: coughing, clapping hands, clicking tongue etc.)

"What's That Sound" Games are some of the most effective strategies for helping children sharpen their listening skills.

You'll find complete Montessori lesson plans for these kinds of listening games (& more!) in my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses at this link.

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Strategy #9. 
"WE'RE FOLLOWING THE QUEEN" 
Movement Song
TO DEVELOP COORDINATION & CONSCIENTIOUS MOVEMENT WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT

During my Orff-Schulwerk training for children's music education, I learned a delightful song that works so well in the Preschool classroom. "We're Following the Queen" is a sweet and simple song with a lovely movement component. 

Basically, it is a "Follow the Leader" sort of game. However, the children actually do follow the leader who is walking carefully throughout the environment. The leader becomes "the queen" (or "king") and moves through the classroom while the children follow in a line behind her. (or him) When the queen is leading the line of children, she is modeling to the children how to move carefully and not bumping into furniture or other people!

One group management goal of the Montessori Preschool teacher  is to give the children skill in moving about the environment with grace and respect for others. So, this little movement song works beautifully for that goal.

Here are the words I sing: "We're following the queen. ~ Following, following. ~We're following the queen. ~Wherever she may go!"

The melody is from the song, "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan. You can hear/watch  this scene from the movie at this link:"Youtube". I prefer these lyrics to the ones from the original movie.

More...

Here is a nice touch: add a crown for the "queen." 

Here is a fun EXTENSION: Later, after the group has had experience following the teacher throughout the classroom, then one of the children can be the "queen" or "king," and the others can follow.

Thank you again for visiting my Blog today. I hope you have been getting some new ideas for your Group Management Strategies with a musical twist!

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