DRAMATIZED
RHYTHM PLAYS

Beat hands vigorously upon top of desks, suiting action to the words.

Repeat the activity of the third line.

Repeat the activity of the fourth line.

Upon the word, "sat," pupils move to the left side of seat.

Upon the word, "eating," pupils encircle imaginary plate with the left arm and imitate eating with the right hand.

Upon the word, "put," pupil imitates the action of putting thumb in pie and pulling out a plum, making the action vigorous upon the word, "pulled," stretching the arm overhead. Looks at the plum.

Proudly pats the chest with the left hand.

Lowers plum until it disappears in the mouth, imitating eating, tapping his chest the while.

Hold baby in the arms, looking down at it, and sway gently to and fro. (Right; left; right and left.)

Rock more vigorously.

Upon the word, "breaks," children clap hands overhead—partially dropping the baby.

Upon the word, "down," children spring into the air and immediately assume deep knee bending position.

Marking time, in place. (Seven counts.)

Upon the word, "jumped," the children face to the left and vault over their own seats; finish facing the front of room with hands on hips.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right. (Front.)

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left. (Front.)

One-quarter turn to the left, placing hands on the near edge of desk and back of seat, bending knees slightly.

Vault over the seat; replace hands to hips and execute 1/4 turn to the right (Front.)

Mark time, in place, three counts. (Left; right and left.)

Upon the word, "sat," pupils sit upon own desks; feet hanging in aisle.

Upon the word, "fall," pupils jump into the right aisles; bending knees deeply, facing the front of the room.

Assume position of attention with arms stretched forward holding imaginary reins, at the same time "marking time" (ten counts), raising knees waist high.

Shaking the head in sorrow; right, left, right and front. Hands are placed upon hips during this movement.

Hands clasped overhead; swaying right, left and erect.

Upon the word, "ran," stand in own seats with the arms stretched sideward.

Upon the word, "One," clap hands overhead and lower arms sideward.

Upon the word, "ran," jump into the left aisle with hands clasped overhead.

Swaying right, left and erect.

Hands clasped overhead; swaying right, left and erect.

Place hands on hips; execute six running steps forward. (Seven counts.) (Left; right; left; right; left; right; close left to right, completing the movement.)

Hands clasped overhead; swaying right, left and erect.

Upon the word, "sat," Little Miss Muffet climbs into her own seat, faces back of room and sits upon the right side of desk. Hold imaginary plate in left arm and imitate eating.

Upon the word, "Along," the Spider hastens over own seat and Miss Muffet's aisle; climbs upon seat and sits with Miss Muffet.

Completion of second line activity.

Upon the word, "frighten'd," children return to own seats.

Upon the word, "up," Jack and Jill take hold of hands and climb into same seats. (The climbing of the hill.)

Upon the word, "fell," Jack falls (jumps) into own aisle, bends knees, deeply covering his face with his hands, imitating crying.

Upon the word, "tumbling," Jill falls (jumps) into the same aisle as Jack; bends knees, deeply covering her face with her hands, imitating crying.

Hold the baby in the arms, looking down at it, and sway gently to the right.

Sway gently to the left.

Sway gently to the right.

Assume stationary position.

Mark time, in place, seven counts; carry gun over the right shoulder (flex right arm; place hand on shoulder with fingers clenched, forefinger extended to represent barrel of gun.)

Kneel on left knee and extend the right arm forward, representing the aiming of a gun. (Fingers of the right hand clenched, with forefinger extended; left hand resting on right upper arm.)

Assume erect position; bend forward and encircle body with arms and return hands to hips upon completion of the sentence.

Mark time, in place. (Four counts.) Upon the word, "blow," hands clenched, elbows raised high, imitate the blowing of the horn. Finish with hands on hips.

Upon the word, "sheep," point to the right and look in direction pointed. Upon the word, "cows," replace right hand to hip; point to the left and look in direction pointed. Finish with hands on hips and eyes front.

Upon the word, "where," shade the eyes with the right hand and look to the right. Upon the word, "looks," replace right hand to hip; shade the eyes with the left hand and look to the left. Finish with left hand on hip and eyes front.

Upon the word, "under," resume seats and lower head to desks upon folded arms.

Mark time, in place. (Knees waist high.) (Seven counts.)

Stretch knees, lower heels and bow.

Assume erect position.

With hands clenched, stretch arms upward and tap imaginary window. (Four times.)

Cup hands and carry to mouth as if calling, bending knees deeply.

Turn head to the right.

Turn head to the left.

Stretch the knees and lower heels.

Mark time, in place, five counts.

Imitate the action of playing the fiddle. One upward stroke of the bow.

One downward stroke of the bow.

Turn to the left; place hands on edge of desk and back of seat and bend knees slightly.

Turn to the right (front); stretch knees, lower heels and place hands on hips.

Bend trunk forward, hugging self, imitating great hilarity.

Assume erect position with hands on hips.

Execute a complete turn to the right with seven running steps, terminating action upon the word, "spoon."

Shade eyes with the right hand and with a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left. (Front.)

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right. (Front.)

Replace right hand to hip; shade eyes with the left hand and with a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right (Front.)

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the right.

With a jump execute 1/4 turn to the left (Front.)

Upon the word, "tail," bend forward, placing hands behind back (palms together; fingers extended.)

Upon the words, "and his," assume erect position with hands at sides.

Upon the word, "ears," raise arms sideward, placing thumbs in ears (fingers extended.)

Replace left hand to hip; shade eyes with the right hand and with a jump execute 1/2 turn right about.

With a jump execute 1/2 turn right about. (Front.)

Replace right hand to hip, bow and assume erect position.

Stretch arms forward, holding imaginary reins; bending and stretching knees. (Three times.)

Replace left hand to hip; shade the eyes with the right hand and rotate the body to the right upon the word, "To." Replace the right hand to hip; shade the eyes with the left hand and rotate the body to the left upon the word, "upon." Replace the left hand to hip and turn the body forward upon the word, "horse."

Raise arms forward, palms forward, fingers and thumbs extended upon the word, "Rings." Bend the trunk slightly forward and lower arms (palms forward), looking at the toes, upon the word, "bells." Assume erect position with hands on hips, upon the word, "toes."

Wave the baton with the right hand (forefinger extended; thumb and remaining fingers clenched) to the left, right, left, right and left, upon the words, "She shall have music." (Five counts.)

Replace the right hand to hip, bow and assume erect position upon the words, "wherever she goes."

Children mark time, in place. (Seven counts.)

Stretching arms forward as if holding imaginary reins; bend and stretch knees (four times), finishing with hands on hips.

Upon the word, "stuck," take off the hat with the left hand and upon the word, "in," insert the feather. Finish with hands on hips.

Mark time, in place. (Eight counts.)

Mark time, in place. (Four counts.)

Clap hands, three times. Finish with hands on hips.

Mark time, in place. (Four counts.)

Bow and assume erect position.

Wave the baton with right hand (forefinger extended) left, right, left and right. (Four counts.) Finish with hands on hips.

Mark time, in place. (Three counts.)

Upon the word, "round," execute a half turn to the right about by jumping. Upon the word, "house," execute a half turn to the right about by jumping. Upon the word, "handy," jump, in place, three times and salute with the right hand.

Clap own hands three times.

Clap partner's hands three times.

Hands hips; bow and assume erect position.

Hold imaginary bowl in the left arm (shoulder high), stirring with the right hand, increasing revolutions upon the word, "fast." Upon the word, "can," the hands return to hips.

Upon the words, "roll it," raise hands (palms together; right hand on top) shoulder height, and roll it by a sliding movement.

Upon the words, "prick it," suit action to the words and prick cake, using forefinger of right hand, pressing same into left palm.

Upon the words, "mark it," join forefingers with thumbs, raising to eye height and form letter "B." (Deaf and dumb alphabet.)

Upon the word, "put," imitate the action of placing the cake in the oven by extending arms forward (palms up) and bending knees. Assume erect position with hands on hips upon the word, "oven."

Upon the word, "baby," bow and assume erect position.

Upon the word, "me," raise the right arm (shoulder height) and place forefinger on chest.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

With right hand clap partner's right hand.

With left hand clap partner's left hand.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clasp partner's hands and raise arms to shoulder height. Step sideward right.

Close left to right.

Close right to left.

Face to the right; place right hand on hip, inner hands joined and raised shoulder height. Step forward, right.

Step forward, right.

Close left to right and place left hand on hip.

With a jump execute a half turn right about.

With a jump execute a half turn right about.

Left file (Jack); Step sideward, left.

Right file (Jill); Step sideward, right.

Step sideward, left.

Step sideward, right.

Left file (Jack); Stamp left.

Right file (Jill); Stamp right.

Replace hands to hips and bend knees deeply.

Replace hands to hips and bend knees deeply.

Left file (Jack); Stretch knees and turn to the left.

Bow and assume erect position.

Right file (Jill); No activity.

No activity for either files.

Right file (Jill); Stretch knees and turn to the right.

Bow and assume erect position.

Left file (Jack); No activity.

Left file (Jack); No activity.

Left file (Jack); face to the right and execute three chasses to the left.

Right file (Jill); face to the left and execute three chasses to the right.

Right file (Jill); No activity.

Left file (Jack); No activity.

Left file (Jack); Three chasses to the right.

Right file (Jill); Three chasses to the left.

Right file (Jill); No activity.

Left file (Jack); No activity.

Step throw, right and left. (Four counts.)

Stamp feet; right, left, right and hold. (Four counts.)

Step throw, left and right. (Four counts.)

Replace left foot, bend knees deeply; lower arms with hands clenched. Stretch knees, pulling trousers on and place hands on hips. (Two counts per movement; four counts in all.)

Arms raised forward (shoulder height) and clasp partner's hands. Step right sideward and close left to right and step throw, right. (Schottische.) (Four counts.)

Step left sideward and close right to left and step throw, left. (Schottische.) (Four counts.)

Jump, in place, once. (Two counts.)

Jump, in place, once. (Two counts.)

Jump, in place, three times and hold. (Four counts.)

Step to the right, place left toe behind right heel, bending both knees slightly. Repeat to the left. (Cues:—Step and bend and step and bend.)

Execute three slides to the right and bring heels together on the fourth count. (Cues; Slide, slide, slide and heels.)

Repeat the activity of the first line, starting to the left.

Repeat activity of the second line to the left.

Pupils face forward; raise arms forward (shoulder height) in circle form and then extend sideward, imitating the opening of the pie.

Fluttering of arms up and down, imitating the flying of birds.

Replace both hands to hips on the word, "dainty." Upon the word, "dish," stretch the right hand forward as if holding the dish and nod the head in approval.

Step sideward to the right, close feet and bow with arms stretched sideward.

Jump, in place, with a quarter turn to the right.

Jump, in place, with a quarter turn to the left. (Front.)

Place left foot in seat area.

Suit activity to words, holding imaginary coins in palm of left hand and count with the right hand.

Stand in the right aisle; face to the left and immediately place hands in support on back of seat and edge of desk.

Vault over seat, (Upon completion of vault, the hands assume normal position.)

Face to the right; place right foot in seat area and become seated.

Suit activity to words, encircling imaginary plate with left arm and imitate eating with the right hand.

Place right foot in right aisle.

Stand in right aisle and place hands on hips.

Bow and assume erect position.

Bend trunk forward downward; stretch arms downward, grasping clothes.

Raise trunk, stretch arms upward and grasp imaginary clothesline.

Using right hand, take clothes-pin out of mouth and pin clothes on the line.

Replace hands to hips and mark time, in place. (Left, right, left and right.)

Jump, in place, and clap hands once.

Replace hands to hips; step right sideward and close left to right.

Bow and assume erect position.

Pupil bends trunk to the right, left, right and left.

When center pupils bend to the right, the children on the right act as riders on board, bending and stretching knees. In reversing the movement, similar activity for those on the left.

Center and outer aisles activity;—Continue movement as described for the first line, finishing in erect position with hands on hips.

Placing left hand to right elbow, shake index finger three times upon the words, "he shall have"; repeat motion with the left hand upon the words, "but a penny a day." Finish with hands on hips.

Nod to the right upon the words, "he shall have"; assume erect position and nod to the left upon the words, "but a penny a day." Finish with hands on hips.

Repeat activity of first line. (Center and outer aisles.)

Step forward, right, turn to the left, closing left foot to right foot.

Upon the word, "eating," children encircle imaginary plate with the left arm and imitate eating with the right hand.

Upon the word, "put," children imitate the action of putting thumb in pie and pulling out a plum, making the action vigorous upon the word, "pulled," stretching the arm overhead. Look at plum.

Proudly pats the chest with the left hand.

Lowers plum to mouth, imitating eating, tapping the chest the while.

Outer circle (Miss Muffet); starting with the right foot execute three steps in line of direction. (Right; left; right and close left to right.)

Inner circle (Spider); No activity.

Hold imaginary plate in the left hand (palm up) and imitate eating. Hands are replaced to hips upon the completion of the word, "whey."

Inner circle (Spider); No activity.

Inner circle (Spider); Starting with the left foot execute five running steps in line of direction. (This should bring partners together.)

Outer circle (Miss Muffet); No activity.

Inner circle (Spider); Bend knees slightly.

Spring upward and upon return bend knees deeply and face partner. Raise hands, fingers extended and flexed. (Eye height.)

Starting with the left foot marching in line of direction execute three steps, closing right foot to left upon completion of movement. As the steppings are taken, the knees are stretched gradually until reaching erect position.

Bend trunk forward, stretching left arm (hand clenched) downward, holding imaginary pail under spout of pump. Bend right arm (hand clenched) to thrust, grasping the imaginary pump handle. Imitate pumping of water (Three times.)

Assume erect position with hands on hips.

Activity as applied to children representing Jack. (Outer circle.)

Upon the word, "Jack," bend knees slightly; upon the word, "fell," pupils spring lightly upward and assume deep knee position, placing right hand upon the head (the crown) and left hand upon the floor. (The hand on floor is in the forward plane.)

Activity as applied to children representing Jill. (Inner circle.)

Upon the word, "Jill," bend knees slightly; upon the word, "came," spring lightly upward and assume deep knee position, covering face with right hand (crying) and placing left hand on floor. (The hand on floor is in the forward plane.)

Arms stretched overhead with hands clasped. Bend trunk to the left.

Bend trunk to the right.

Assume erect position.

Clap hands overhead and replace to hips.

Step forward, right, and turn to the left, closing left foot to right foot.

Arms stretched overhead with hands clasped. Bend trunk to the left.

Bend trunk to the right.

Assume erect position.

Children march in line of direction, starting with inside foot (left), swaying inward (left) and outward (right). Upon the completion of the verse, the children immediately cease the movement and face the center of the circle.

Imitate activity as suggested and in turning execute same by spinning about upon the right foot to the right. Upon completion of the turn immediately face line of direction, placing hands upon pupil's shoulders in front in readiness for the verse action.

Seven quick slides to the right, ceasing movement on the eighth count.

Those in the circle (The Sheep), place hands on hips and nod their heads twice emphatically.

Place right elbow in left hand with three fingers extended, shaking same three times vigorously.

Step sideward to the right and close feet; bow and assume erect position. Hands are placed upon the hips.

Step sideward to the left and close feet; bow and assume erect position. Hands are placed upon hips.

Mark time, in place; (right; left; right; left); turning head to the right, left, right and front. Hands are placed on hips.

Place right elbow in the left hand with forefinger extended, shaking same three times vigorously at the little boy in the center of the circle.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clap hands to thighs.

Clap own hands.

With right hand, clap partner's right hand.

Clap own hands.

With left hand clap partner's left hand.

Clap own hands.

Clap partner's hands.

Clasp partner's hands and raise arms to shoulder height. Step sideward, right. (In line of direction.)

Step sideward, left. (In reverse line of direction.)

Four chasse steps in line of direction.

Jump, in place, once.

Jump, in place, once.

Three steps in line of direction.

Inner circle (Jack);—(Left; right, left and close right to left.)

Outer circle (Jill);—(Right; left, right and close left to right.)

Bend knees deeply. Outer and inner circles.

Inner circle (Jack); place hands on hips, stretch knees and turn to partner. (Right.)

Bow and assume erect position.

Outer circle (Jill);

Replace left hand to hip and remain in deep knee position.

No activity for either circles.

Outer circle (Jill); stretch knees and turn to partner (Left.)

Bow and assume erect position.

Inner circle (Jack); Three chasses in line of direction.

Outer circle (Jill); Three chasses in line of direction.

Outer circle (Jill); No activity.

Inner circle (Jack); Three chasses in reverse line of direction.

Outer circle (Jill); Three chasses in reverse line of direction.

Outer circle (Jill); No activity.

Step dip, right. (In line of direction.)

Step dip, left. (In reverse line of direction.)

Four chasse steps in line of direction.

Note.—On the fourth chasse step do not close left foot to the right.

Face line of direction; inner hands joined and outer hands on hips. Step forward, left.

Close right to left and place inner hand to hip.

With a jump, execute a turn right about and clap hands once.

With a jump, execute a turn right about, and clap hands once. Finish with inner hands joined and outer hands on hips. Facing in line of direction.

Two step, right. (In line of direction.)

Two step, left. (In line of direction.)

Step forward, left.

Step forward, right and close left to right.

Two step, left. (In line of direction.)

Two step, right. (In line of direction.)

Step forward, right.

Step forward, left and close right to the left. Finish with hands on hips.

Turn to partner and step dip, right. (In line of direction.) Clap hands three times.

Step dip, left. (In reverse line of direction.) Clap hands three times.

Encircle to the right with three walking steps. (Right; left; right and close left to right.) As the first step is taken clap hands once and replace hands to hips.

Step dip, left. (In reverse line of direction.) Clap hands three times.

Step dip, right. (In line of direction.) Clap hands three times.

Encircle to the left with three walking steps. (Left; right; left and close right to the left.) As the first step is taken clap hands once and replace hands to hips.

Point step forward, right.

Point step backward, right.

Three steps forward and hold. (Right; left and right.)

Cues;—Point and point and step, step, step.

Swing left forward and point step forward, left.

Point step backward, left.

Three steps forward and hold. (Left; right and left.)

Cues;—Point and point and step, step, step.

With a jump, face partner; clasp outside hands and raise both arms to shoulder height.

Jump, in place, once.

Step throw, right and step throw, left.

Inter.;—Seven chasses in line of direction, closing left to right, completing movement.

Step dip, right, clapping hands three times.

Step dip, left, clapping hands three times.

Face line of direction; replace hands to hips and execute two steps forward. (Right; left and close light to left.)

Mark time, in place, three counts. (Right; left and right.)

Starting with the inside foot (left) moving in line of direction execute point step forward and step, left; right; left and right. During this movement, bend the trunk slightly to the left and right as the activity proceeds.

Cues;—Point and step; point and step; point and step; point and step.

Turn the head to the left; step sideward, left and close right to left and repeat.

Cue;—Step and close; step and close.

Turn the head to the right; step sideward, right and close left to the right and repeat.

Cue;—Step and close; step and close.

Facing inward (left); clasp hands to the right and left and starting with the right foot execute three steps backward. (Right; left; right and close left to the right.)

Cues;—Step; step; step and close.

Three chasse steps in line of direction. (To the right.)

Extend arms forward slightly flexed, clapping hands seven times, and step bend, left and right. (Step to the left; place the right toe behind the left heel, bending both knees slightly. During this movement the head is turned to the left, the trunk bending slightly as the knee bending occurs. (Counterlike as to movement of head and trunk when executed to the right.)

Replace hands to hips; step sideward, left and close right to left.

Bow and assume erect position.

Starting with the left foot execute three steps forward. (Left; right; left and close right to the left.)

Bend knees deeply and suit activity to the words, holding imaginary coins in the palm of the left hand, counting with the right hand. (Six counts.)

Stretch the knees, lower heels; facing to the right, start with the right foot, execute three chasse steps to the right, with arms raised sideward.

Hold imaginary plate in the left hand (palm up) and suit activity to words, imitating eating with the right hand. (Six counts.)

Extend arms forward slightly flexed, clapping hands seven times, and step bend, left and right. (Step to the left, place right toe behind the left heel, bending both knees slightly. During this movement the head is turned to the left, the trunk bending slightly as the knee bending occurs. (Counterlike as to movement of head and trunk when executed to the right.)

Replace left foot; stretch the knees; bending trunk forward, downward grasping clothes with hands.

Stretching the trunk; raise arms forward upward to imaginary clothesline.

Take clothespin out of mouth with right hand and pin clothes to line.

Replace hands to hips, execute four hops forward.

Clap hands, replacing same to hips, and execute one-quarter turn to the left by hopping.

Bow and assume erect position.