Song of the Month

Every month the song/dance/activity will change. Many of the songs will be from my Recordings. Please print the page and do the activity with your child. Teachers may print the page to use with their classes. If you have questions, Contact Me.

May 2005

5 Plump Peas

Listen to the whole fingerplay on Tiny Tunes or hear it here:

You say Spring – I say peas! One of the first vegetables to make a showing in the garden, here's a fun fingerplay. Fingerplays are often a forgotten art, yet they promote motor coordination, vocabulary, rhythm, rhyme, and timing. Quite a lot in such a simple, small package! Repeat this one several times, and get a peapod at the grocery store for your child/students to explore, taste, and take apart! You can also make the peapod project below - especially helpful for teachers engaging a whole class!

Count the fingers on one hand before beginning – that's your Pea Family!

Lyrics:	5 plump peas in a peapod pressed 1 grew, 2 grew, and so did all the rest they grew, and they grew, And they grew, and never stopped They grew SO BIG that the peapod... POPPED!
Movements:	Line 1: Fold the fingers on one hand into a fist, place the other hand on top, to cover it up  Line 2: Pop up one finger, then another. Keep popping up another finger until they are all up  Lines 3&4: Hands about 6 inches apart, getting wider with each "grew"  Line 5: Hands should be as far apart as they can go, then clap them together in front of you on "POPPED!"

Age Range: 2 – 5 years old

Purpose: physical coordination, vocabulary, rhythm, rhyme, humor, counting, spatial relationships

Make a "Peapod Family Home"

From green funfoam (so it can be used many times) or paper (won't last as long) cut 2 identical peapods – use the pattern below as a guide –- yours should be about 10 - 12" wide. Attach 5 small velcro pieces across one side. Hot glue the bottom edge of the peapod pieces together.

Cut 5 green circles of various sizes, attaching velcro to the back of each. You can use wiggly/jiggly eyes or marker to make a face.

Your peapod is now ready – hide the peas inside, and let the child(ren) name them as they come out: Mama Pea, Daddy Pea, Sister Pea, Brother Pea, Baby Pea – or Grandpa/ma Pea, Babysitter Pea –- whatever they choose! Attach peas to the outside of pod as they come out. When you're done with the fingerplay, store the peas back in the pod.

More Songs of the Month