Ants Go Marching with Egg Shakers at Daycare Center

Lesson plan

Age Group: 4-9 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Theme: Music and Movement


Objective:

  1. Develop rhythm and coordination using egg shakers.
  2. Foster listening and participation through singing and movement.
  3. Enhance motor skills and creativity by combining music and action.

Materials Needed:

  • Egg shakers (one for each child)
  • Speaker or musical instrument for “The Ants Go Marching” song
  • Open space for movement

Lesson Breakdown:

1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Goal: Get children comfortable with egg shakers and the rhythm.

  • Greet the children and introduce the egg shakers.
  • Explain that they will pretend to be marching ants.
  • Practice shaking the egg shakers to a simple 1-2-3-4 beat.
  • Play a quick rhythm game: Clap your hands and have the children shake their egg shakers in response.

2. Introduction to the Song (5 Minutes)

Goal: Familiarize children with “The Ants Go Marching” lyrics and movements.

  • Sing the first verse of the song while demonstrating the marching movement.
  • Explain how they will shake their egg shakers to match the beat of the song.
  • Add simple actions like stomping feet or pretending to march in place.

3. Guided Activity: Marching and Shaking (10 Minutes)

Goal: Combine egg shakers, movements, and the music.

  • Play “The Ants Go Marching” song.
  • Encourage children to:
  • Shake their egg shakers to the beat.
  • March in place or around the room.
  • Perform actions based on the lyrics (e.g., “the ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah”—children can raise their arms for “hurrah”).
  • Vary the intensity: Start with slow marching, then increase the tempo to make it fun and engaging.

4. Creative Movement (5 Minutes)

Goal: Let children express themselves through movement.

  • Pause the song and ask the children to create their own movements for a verse (e.g., crawling like ants, hopping, or spinning).
  • Resume the song and have them incorporate their ideas while shaking the egg shakers.

5. Cool-Down and Reflection (5 Minutes)

Goal: Wind down and reflect on the activity.

  • Sit in a circle and lightly shake the egg shakers to a slower rhythm.
  • Ask the children:
  • What was their favorite part of the activity?
  • How did it feel to be a marching ant?
  • End with a final verse of the song sung together quietly.

Assessment:

  • Observe how well children follow the rhythm with their egg shakers.
  • Note their engagement during movements and singing.
  • Listen to their reflections during the cool-down session.

Extension Ideas:

  • Create ant hats or simple props for the next session.
  • Incorporate counting skills by emphasizing the numbers in the song.
  • Use other percussion instruments for variety.

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