May 2014
End of Year Countdown

Didn’t the school year just begin? Can you believe it’s almost time to say farewell? This month you’ll find some great ideas to end your school year with a smile.
Spring means baseball, so you’ll also find a free download for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” (Click here to download the song.) I used to love singing this with my mother when I was a little girl. It’s amazing how many children don’t know this “good old song” and I’m excited to keep it alive by sharing it with you!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Take me out to the ball game.             (Pretend to throw a baseball.)
Take me out to the crowd.                  (Pretend to bat a ball.)
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks. (Hold up right hand and then left.)
I don’t care if we never get back,        (Shake head NO.)
For I’ll root, root, root for the home team. (Fist in the air.)
If they don’t win it’s a shame.           (Hold open palms and shrug shoulders.)
For it’s one, two, three strikes           (Hold up 3 fingers one at a time.)
You’re out                                           (Thumb over shoulder.)
At the old ball game.
• This is a great opportunity to expand children’s vocabulary. What does it mean to “root”? What’s a “shame”? Let children who play baseball explain to their classmates what a diamond, base, umpire, and other terms mean.

End of Year Cadence
(The children repeat each line.)

The school year is coming to an end.       (Stand, march, and slap thighs
The school year is coming to an end.        to the beat.)
We’ll say so long to all our friends.
We’ll say so long to all our friends.
We’ve learned to read and write and spell.
We’ve learned to read and write and spell.
We know our shapes and numbers well.
We know our shapes and numbers well.
We’ve learned to follow classroom rules.
We’ve learned to follow classroom rules.
Getting along is really cool.
Getting along is really cool.
Science, music, art, PE.
Science, music, art, PE.
School’s been great for you and me.
School’s been great for you and me.
Summer’s time for outdoor fun.
Summer’s time for outdoor fun.
Read every day and play in the sun.
Read every day and play in the sun.
And when school begins again.
And when school begins again.
We’ll be happy to see our friends.
We’ll be happy to see our friends.