BIRTHDAY CHANT - The birthday child chooses "candles" (a friend to represent each year) to come and stand in the middle of the "birthday cake" (circle made by the rest of the class holding hands).

Recite the poem below, then sing the traditional birthday song as you walk in a circle around the birthday child and candles.

After singing, the birthday child blows out the candles one at a time and the candles "melt" (wiggle) to the ground.

Today is (child's name) birthday
Let's bake him/her a cake!
Stir and mix and mix and stir
And into the oven to bake!

Here's our cake so nice and round.
Let's frost it (child's favorite color) and white.
We'll put (age of child) candles on it,
To make (child's name)'s birthday bright!

NEW SHOES - When a child gets new shoes, have them stand in front of the class as you sing this song to the tune of "This Old Man." (They could also make up a dance or skip around the room. )

Here's one foot.
Here are two.
Each is wearing a brand, new shoe.
So stand up, turn around,
Dance around the floor.
That's what these two feet are for!

TOOTH SONG - Here's a song to sing to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw" when a child loses a tooth.

Oh, look in (child's name) mouth
And what do you see?
A great, big hole where
A tooth used to be.
Well, he/she wiggled it and jiggled it
Until it was free.
Now there's a window when
He/she smiles at me!

*Punch a hole in the top and bottom of a film container. Thread through a 24" piece of string or yarn. This makes a perfect "necklace" for teeth when they come out at school.

WELCOME BACK - When a child has been absent and returns to school, sing this song to the tune of "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."

Welcome back child's name.
Welcome back child's name.
Welcome back child's name.
We're glad you're here today!