Materials
- green paper shamrocks
- footprint-shape sponge or rubber stamp
What to do
1. Say this poem during a transition at departure time. Repeat it until the children know it and can say it with you.
Lucky Leprechaun by Barbara Saul
Away in Ireland
Across the Sea
Lives a Wee Little Man
That no one can see.
He's a wee little man
He's not very big,
He does a dance called an Irish Jig.
He hides behind rainbows
And under a tree.
He'll grant your wishes
1, 2, 3!
But look very closely
Before he is gone,
For that wee little man
Is a leprechaun!
2. After you have done this and the children go home, use the sponge or stamp to make footprints all around the room. See if the children react the next day to the footprints.
3. Talk about how the leprechaun might have come to the classroom. Hide little shamrocks for everyone to find.
More to do
Music and Movement: Dance to Irish folk music.
-Barbara Saul, Eureka, CA
Instructions
1. Use this transition activity any time you have a few minutes. It's great for
developing language skills.
2. Say the following rhyme like you would say the rhyme "Eeny, Meeny, Miney,
Moe."
Eeny, meeny, miney, moe,
Let's all say something about Joe
3. As you say the rhyme point to each child in turn. When the rhyme ends,
make sure you are pointing to the child whose name you used.
4. Have the children take turns saying something about the child.
Note: Some children might have a hard time thinking of something to say. If
a child hesitates, offer a gentle suggestion, such as. "Look at Joe's shirt. What
color is it?" When the child says "red," you can say, "So, you can say "Joe has on
a red shirt.'" Never force a child to say something. If a child is too shy to
participate, then offer a comment yourself and continue with the game.
5. Say the rhyme again using another child's name. For example:
Eeny, meeny, miney, mane,
Let's all say something about Jane
6. Continue until all children have had a turn or you run out of time.
7. If you have a little extra time, sing this familiar song for each child.
Joe has on a red shirt, a red shirt, a red shirt
Joe has on a red shirt, all day long.
