Kindergarten Music Turkey Chant Experience Design

Rationale: For this experience, we were given a very specific activity to teach while the teacher was
away at VMEA. It is difficult to come up with a rationale since the lesson was planned by the regular
teacher, not by me and my colleague. However, I would guess that the teacher chose this chant to help
foster rhythmic skills, listening skills, movement skills, critical thinking, and to have some fun since it was
right before Thanksgiving.

Understanding Statement: Through this activity, students will engage in rhythmic chanting and
movement that mimic a song-like idea. They will understand how movements can connect to words as
well as work on their listening and repeating skills.

I Can Statements:
I can chant in rhythm with a steady beat (VA SOL K.5, K.6)
I can match movements with words in a chant (VA SOL K.7 3.)
I can be kind and take turns with toys (VA SOL K.10)

Materials:
Chant:
Oh, my goodness (hands on cheek surprised face), Turkey ran away (swing arms like running)!
What will we eat (arms out in question) on Thanksgiving Day (rub stomach)?
I will eat ____! We dont eat ____! (or) We love ____!
Bag of toy food and non-edible things

Detailed Process:
Teachers Will model chant for students
o one of us will say a food item and respond with we love ___!
o one will say a non-edible item and respond with we dont eat ___!
TW repeat chant and allow students to join in with words and movements when they are ready
o TW call on students around the circle for answers on what to eat and allow class to respond
with one of the responses
SW go around the circle and pick an item out of the bag (without looking) and name that item in the
chant
o SW respond with the correct response
After everyone in the circle has picked a food, students will watch movie provided by teacher for the
remainder of class

Assessment: Teachers will assess student understanding by calling on students to name food/non-edible
items and by watching their participation during the activity (whether they are doing the motions,
speaking the rhyme, being courteous and taking turns, and responding at the end of each repetition)

Extenstions:
Locomotor movements could be added in rather than purely stationary movements.
Students could do the chant in groups of two so they are more responsible with determining whether
something should be eaten or not.
Students could create their own movements to the chant