Hey ddnet,

I'm just going to get right to it... All of the classes I teach relate to the preschool aged kids. For the summer I am looking to incoorporate "theme" days for each class. It will be an 8/9 week session (so 8 classes (one off for the 4th)). I have themes chosen, but was wondering if anyone had experience with themes or possible music/ideas that I can use. So far this is everything I have come up with:


Wk. 1: introduction/ Welcome/ Hello.
This will be the first class for most dancers. After scrolling through ddnet I found a perfect "Hello" song, but because all of these classes are 45 min to an hour will need more than one... Any suggestions are greatly appreiciated.


wk. 2 ROCK in the USA (the week before July 4)
Many music ideas for this day, however, how can I incoorporate a "start the class" game or story?


wk3. no class


wk. 4 "I enjoy being a girl": this class is the easiest, I will use princess music, boas, crowns. etc.


wk. 5 Ballerina/sports day: I am contemplating using angelina ballerina for this day as an intro. I know there is a lot of sports music...


wk. 6 "when I grow up" aka occupations: not sure of the music I can use?


wk. 7 summer: beach boys music, leis, hula hoops. etc.


wk 8. Animals. Again this day is easy, I have music and a book and activities decided


wk. 9. Performance and goodbye. Does anyone know a good goodbye/ c ya later song?


Thanks in advance for your help,
Darlindancer

Here are some random ideas that came to mind while I was reading your post.

the first class, "welcome" you can also have the class sit in a circle and do "hello toes, goodbye toes" to get them acquainted with how their feet and ankles move. I would also do the "Animal Action" from Greg and Steve using marching for the traveling steps. The kids always find this easy and happy.

the second class before July 4th, I would do "Yankee Doodle" because you can march and the kids love it.

Be sure to use "When I grow Up" on that week! (the kids love to jump when they sing the word "up").
you could use some classical music and have the kids dance pretending to be doing different occupations: such as "let's all be firemen and put out the fire", "let's be teacher, etc"

last day- I don't know a good "bye" dance--wish I did.

What "hello" dance are you using? I need one also.

great ideas. those activities will work really well.

the hello song i actually found on a previous ddnet post. i'm told it can be found here. drjean.org

which version of "when i grow up" do you use?

thanks again,
darlindancer

For wk.6 there is a song called "When I Grow Up" here is the link and you can actually listen to the song: www.songsforteaching.com . . .

For wk. 9 If you don't mind singing with no music and just singing with the kids, there are plenty of goodbye songs online for children. If you go to google.com and type in 'goodbye children's songs" there are a lot of teachers sites with songs!

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your help. I found a couple of goodbye songs that were from playhouse disney T.V. shows incase you are ever in need!

Sometimes I use the goodbye song from blues clues. It is really short but I have the kids waving good bye, bowing, and blowing a kiss.

Week 1- The song "good mornin'" from singin in the rain.

Week 2- Pass out hand held flags and sit in a circle. For tiny preschoolers (ages 2-3) you can just go over the colors on the flag. For the older preschoolers (4-5) you could maybe tell them what the stripes and stars mean? Then do a little warm up in a circle using the flag. Marching is also a great idea.

Week 6- Occupations. Theres cute songs on the the "bob the builder" soundtrack for construction. From Barney music "The Library" for being a teacher or a librarian. Also the "Classroom Song." For a Farmer "Old McDonald" and do a few animals. "I'd Love to Sail" for a sailor. "When I'm old enough to join the band" & "Rock -n- Roll Star" for being a musician. "Brushing my teeth" for dentist. I found all those on itunes. I would do the warm up to "when i grow up" (love the one by shirley temple) and then do things across the floor or sing along type things with each occupation.

Good luck

thank you so much for your ideas. I love the sound of them!

I was just looking at itunes this morning and theres a cute CD called "Disney Princess Tea Party" and a song that would be great for a welcome song called "So Very Glad You're Here."