MA Standards
Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1a: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (e.g., taking turns in talking, listening to peers, waiting to speak until another person is finished talking, asking questions and waiting for an answer, gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
Head Start Outcomes
Social Emotional Development/Self-Regulation: Follows simple rules, routines, and directions.
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving: Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 1: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (taking turns in talking; listening to peers; waiting until someone is finished; asking questions and waiting for an answer; gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 12: Listen to, recite, sing, and dramatize a variety of age-appropriate literature.
Recite Together: Who Stole the Onions from the Farmer’s Field?
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Follow Directions, Phonological Awareness, (Rhythm and Repetition), Vocabulary
Tell children you are going to teach them a poem called “Who Stole the Onions from the Farmer’s Field?” Recite the rhyme for children.
Then ask a few volunteers to play the chickens, the ducks, and the pigs.
Explain that you want them to respond when the rest of the group sings. Say, When I point to you the first time, I want you to say, “Who me?” and when I point to you the second time, I want you to say, “Couldn’t be!”
Repeat with new volunteers so that each child has a chance to play an animal.
Who Stole the Onions from the Farmer’s Field?
(based on “Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?”)
Verse 1
Class: Who stole the onions from the farmer’s field?
Class: The chickens stole the onions from the farmer’s field.
Chickens: Who me?
Class: Yes, you!
Chickens: Couldn’t be!
Class: Then who?
Verse 2
Class: Who stole the garlic from the farmer’s field?
Class: The ducks stole the garlic from the farmer’s field.
Ducks: Who me?
Class: Yes, you!
Ducks: Couldn’t be!
Class: Then who?
Verse 3
Class: Who stole the chilies from the farmer’s field?
Class: The pigs stole the chilies from the farmer’s field.
Pigs: Who me?
Class: Yes, you!
Pigs: Couldn’t be!
Class: Then who?
Adaptation: Simplify for very young children. Sing to one child at a time, line-by-line.