- loud
- quiet
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).
Mathematics/Counting and Cardinality/PK.CC.MA.1: Listen to and say the names of numbers in meaningful contexts.
Head Start Outcomes:
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.
Mathematics/Number Sense 1: Listen to and say the names of numbers in meaningful contexts.
Recite Together: “Ten Little Monkeys”
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Fine Motor Skills, Phonological Awareness, Speaking and Listening
Recite the finger play “Ten Little Monkeys” with children.
Explain to children that they will recite the chant once in a loud voice, and a second time in a quiet voice.
Ten Little Monkeys
Ten little monkeys (hold up ten fingers)
Jumping on the bed. (move hand up and down)
One fell off (hold up one finger and then roll your hand down towards the floor)
And bumped his head. (tap your head with your fist)
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, (put your pinky to your mouth and thumb to your ear like a telephone)
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!” (put one hand on your hip and wag your index finger)
Repeat each verse with one less monkey and appropriate number of fingers shown, until the final verse:
One little monkey (hold up one finger)
Jumping on the bed. (move hand up and down)
She fell off (hold up one finger and then roll your hand down towards the floor)
And bumped her head. (tap your head with your fist)
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, (put your pinky to your mouth and thumb to your ear like a telephone)
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!” (put one hand on your hip and wag your index finger)
Adaptation: Younger children may have trouble with the finger actions. Help as necessary. You may want to reduce the number to five if you have younger children.
English Language Learners: Have children count with you in their home language as you raise your fingers one at a time. When children have said the number in their home language, say the number in English. Have children say the number in English after you. Repeat as children gain mastery.