The Cobbler

Purpose: In this game children can coordinate movement and speech, as well as work with numbers from one to five. The possibilities are endless. When children speak and move they learn the words very quickly, increasing their vocabulary [link to a research DYKT]. Eventually they can even begin to use simple poems such as this as a text for reading. Knowing the words, they can begin to match speech with print.  This is a critical part of the reading process.

Materials/Advance Preparation:

The Cobbler

The cobbler pounds with one hammer,
One hammer, one hammer.
The cobbler pounds with one hammer,
Then he (or she) pounds with two.


The cobbler pounds with two hammers,
Two hammers, two hammers.
The cobbler pounds with two hammers,
Then she pounds with three.


The cobbler pounds with three hammers,
Three hammers, three hammers.
The cobbler pounds with three hammers,
Then she pounds with four.


The cobbler pounds with four hammers,
Four hammers, four hammers.
The cobbler pounds with four hammers,
Then she pounds no more.

 

Directions:

  1. Have the children sit either on chairs or on the floor cross-legged.
  2. Explain to the children what a cobbler is and how he or she has to be very careful about pounding in the nails so that they don't bend.
  3. Recite the poem very rhythmically.
  4. When the cobbler pounds with one hammer the children use one fist and pound on one knee.
  5. When the cobbler pounds with two hammers they use two fists on two knees.
  6. Three hammers: they use two fists on two knees and wiggle one knee up and down.
  7. Four hammers: they use two fists on two knees and wiggle two knees up and down.
  8. Throughout, use exaggerated facial expressiona and physical cues to prompt children.  Always smile and make eye contact during the song and keep it short and positive.

Additional ideas:

You can go further and have the children go to 5 by doing all of the above plus nodding their heads.

You can also get up to four or five and then go backwards (four, three two, one…"and then she pounds no more").

Start this activity simply and then add more complexity as the children master each step.

Feel free to alternate genders (he or she).

 

 

 

Eric Gidseg

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