Materials
one kazoo for each child and teacher
permanent marker
Instructions
* January 28th is National Kazoo Day.
1. On January 28th, explain to the children that it is National Kazoo Day.
Show the children a kazoo. Play a tune on it that the children will be sure
to recognize. When you finish playing, hold up the kazoo and shout,
"Kazoodle!"
2. Explain to the children that humming any song into a kazoo will make it
work. Demonstrate this technique as you play another familiar tune.
Remember to shout, "Kazoodle!" when you finish playing.
3. Give each child a kazoo. Use a permanent marker to label the kazoos
with each child's name. Emphasize that they should not play each other's
kazoos.
4. Encourage the children to play their kazoos. Start by playing a simple
song such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Offer help as needed. Again,
shout, "Kazoodle!" together when finished playing.
5. Play a few familiar songs as the children get used to using the kazoos.
Remember to shout, "Kazoodle!" after each song.
6. Have a kazoo parade! Lead the children around the room as you play a
rousing tune. Extend the parade to the rest of the center (with
permission). March around from room to room playing lively tunes for
the other children. Encourage the children from other rooms to shout,
"Kazoodle!" with you after each song.
7. Take your kazoo parade outdoors to the playground! Outside the
children can really put their lungs into their songs. See who can play
their kazoo the loudest. Safety Note: Make sure you collect the kazoos
before the children begin to play on the outdoor equipment in order to
avoid accidental injury. Running with a kazoo in the mouth can be
dangerous.
More to do Art: Make fun headbands for the "band" to wear. Cut strips of construction
paper to fit the children's heads. Let them decorate their headbands. Print a
fun name for each child on the headbands. For example, Deirdre becomes
"KaDeirdreZoodle" and Tanisha turns into "KaTanishaZoodle." Have the
children wear their headbands during their parade.
More Art: Let the children make their own kazoos by covering one end of
a paper towel tube with a piece of wax paper and holding it in place with a
rubber band. Decorate with markers and stickers. They can hum into the
open end to produce a sound.
Music and Movement: Challenge the children to make different sounds
with their kazoos. Who can kazoo the softest or loudest? Who can kazoo
high? Low? Can everyone kazoo fast? Or slow? Move your bodies to follow
the music!
