Two Little Kittens by Anonymous (circa 1880) Two little kittens, one stormy night, Began to quarrel, and

then to fight; One had a mouse, the other had none, And that's the way the quarrel begun. "I'll have that mouse," sad the biggest cat; "You'll have that mouse? We'll see about that!" "I will have that mouse," said the eldest son; "You shan't have the mouse," said the little one. I told you before 'twas a stormy night When these two little kittens began to fight; The old woman seized her sweeping broom, And swept the two kittens right out of the room. The ground was covered with frost and snow, And the two little kittens had nowhere to go; So they laid them down on the mat at the door, While the old woman finished sweeping the floor. Then they crept in, as quiet as mice, All wet with the snow, and cold as ice, For they found it was better, that stormy night, To lie down and sleep than to quarrel and fight.

Good Night and Good Morning by Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton A fair little girl sat under a tree, Sewing as long as her eyes could see; Then smoothed her work, and folded it right, And said, "Dear work, good night! good night!" Such a number of rooks came over her head, Crying, "Caw! Caw!" on their way to bed; She said, as she watched their curious flight, "Little black things, good night! good night!" The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed, The sheep's "Bleat! bleat!" came over the road; All seeming to say, with a quiet delight, "Good little girl, good night! good night!" She did not say to the sun, "Good night!" Though she saw him there like a ball of light, For she knew he had God's time to keep All over the world, and never could sleep. The tall pink foxglove bowed his head, The violets curtsied and went to bed; And good little Lucy tied up her hair, And said on her knees her favourite prayer. And while on her pillow she softly lay, She knew nothing more till again it was day; And all things said to the beautiful sun, "Good morning! good morning! our work is begun!

Happy Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should be as happy as kings.

Rainbow Ive got a rainbow above my bed. The first of its colors is bright bright red, Then comes orange, then yellow and green The loveliest colors Ive ever ever seen. Next comes blue, like the blue of the sea, Indigo and violet are the others I see. When the sun comes out through the falling rain, My rainbow makes a colored arch above the counterpane. Rainbow, rainbow Come again soon. Shine on in my bedroom Till the coming of the moon

The Father's Vineyard by Anonymous As round their dying father's bed His sons attend, the peasant said: "Children, deep hid from prying eyes, A treasure in my vineyard lies; When you have laid me in the grave, Dig, search-and your reward you'll have." "Father," cries one, "but where's the spot?" He sighs! he sinks! he answers not. The tedious burial service over, Home go his sons, and straight explore Each corner of the vineyard round, Dig up, beat, break, and sift the ground; Yet though to search so well inclined, Nor gold, nor treasure could they find; But when the autumn next drew near, A double vintage crowned the year. "Now," quoth the peasant's wisest son, "Our father's legacy is known, In yon rich purple grapes 'tis seen, Which, but for digging, never had been. Then let us all reflect with pleasure. That labour is the source of treasure."

Pluto says, Im too small! Jupiter says, Im too tall! Neptune says, Im so cold! Mars then says, Think Im bald?! Saturn says, I hate my rings! Earth then says, I hate my nature things! Mercury says, Im so hot I could die! Venus says, So could I! Stop complaining! Uranus said, Lets all just relax go to bed! (WHY SHOULD WE? SAY ALL PLANETS)

The sun is shining in the sky But the moon gives a sigh He cant light up the day For the sun is in the way But at night the moon shines bright And the sun is out of sight He was sleeping in his bed And wasnt angry to be said That the moon is shining bright In the black and gloomy night

Moms by Milou
Moms are a lot like the whispering sea Theyre always kind to you and to me They bake and they dust Theyre people you trust But they also can get rather angry

Working in Twos

Sequence for reciting is: first child, second child, both together.
I'm the shoe brush I'm the shoe Polish one and polish two Brush, brush, brush. I'm the dustpan I'm the broom We can see a dusty room Sweep, sweep, sweep I'm the candle I'm the wick It's getting dark now Light up the wick, tsk, task, task. I'm the letter I'm the stamp We stick together if we're damp.

Dinosaurs

Subtracting Numbers Five enormous dinosaurs Letting out a roar-One went away, and Then there were four.
Four enormous dinosaurs Crashing down a tree-One went away, and Then there were three. Three enormous dinosaurs Eating tiger stew-One went away, and Then there were two. Two enormous dinosaurs Trying to run-One ran away, and then there was one. One enormous dinosaur, Afraid to be a hero-He went away, and Then there was zero.

Squirrels

Counting poem Five little squirrels sitting in a tree. The first one said, "What do I see?" The second one said, "Some nuts on the ground." The third one said, "Those nuts I found." The fourth one said, "I'll race you there." The Fifth one said, "All right, that's fair." So they shook their tails and ran with glee. To the nuts that lay at the foot of the tree.

Monkeys In A Tree

Action poem Five little monkeys Sitting in a tree Teasing Mr. Crocodile-"You can't catch me." "You can't catch me." Along comes Mr. Crocodile As quiet as can be-SNAP!!! Continue until all monkeys are gone
Away swims Mr. Crocodile As full as he can be!!!

Counting Apples
A fingerplay
Five red apples Hanging on a tree five fingers held up The juiciest apples you ever did see! The wind came past And gave an angry frown shake head and look angry And one little apple came tumbling down. Four red apples, etc.

Ten In A Bed
Action poem
There were ten in a bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." rolling motion So they all rolled over and one fell out. There were nine in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out....

This is repeated until you get to the number one. Each time "roll over" is said, rolling motion is dramatized. There was one in the bed and the little one said, "Good night!"

Five Little Birdies

A fingerplay
Five little birdies, flying around our door,

five fingers one hand up in the air, as verse is said other hand bends down each finger The blue one flew away and then there were four.
Four little birdies sitting in a tree, The yellow one flew away and then there were three. The little birdies didn't know what to do, So the red one flew away, and then there were two. Two little birdies sitting in the sun, The Brown one flew away, and there was one. The little green birdie felt so all alone, He/she flew away and then there was none. Later on that very day, five little birdies came back to play.

Five Little Bees

One little bee blew and flew. He met a friend, and that made two. Two little bees, busy as could be-Along came another and that made three. Three little bees, wanted one more, Found one soon and that made four. Four little bees, going to the hive. Spied their little brother, and that made five. Five little bees working every hour-Buzz away, bees, and find another flower.

Here is a Beehive
A fingerplay
Here is the beehive, where are the bees? clench fist and bring out fingers quickly one by one Hidden away were nobody sees Watch and you will see them come out of their hives, One, two, three, four, five, Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Birds

Poem There was one little bird in a little tree, He was all alone, and he didn't want to be. So he flew far away, over the sea, And brought back a friend to live in the tree. Substitute two, three, etc. for one as you finish the verse.

Turtles
One baby turtle alone and new. Finds a friend, and then there are two. Two baby turtles crawl down to the sea. They find another, and then there are three. Three baby turtles crawl along the shore. They find another, and then there are four. Four baby turtles go for a dive. Up swims another, and then there are five.

Poem

Three Little Nickels

A fingerplay
Three little nickels in a pocketbook new, hold up three fingers One bought a peppermint, and then there were two, bend down one finger Two Little nickels before the day was done, One bought an ice cream come, and then there was one bend down another finger One little nickel I heard it plainly say, "I'm going into the piggy bank for a rainy day!"

Three Balls
Action poem
Here's a ball make ball with thumb and index finger And here's a ball make ball with other thumb and index A great big ball, I see put arms up and touch fingers over head Shall we count them? Are you ready? One, Two, Three make all three balls in succession

Ten Fingers
A fingerplay
I have ten fingers hold up both hands, fingers spread And they all belong to me, point to self I can make them do thingsWould you like to see? I I I I can shut them up tight make fists can open them wide open hands can put them together place palms together can make them all hide put hands behind back

I can make them jump high hands over head I can make them jump low touch floor I can fold them up quietly fold hands in lap And hold them just so.

Monkeys On the Bed

Action poem Five little monkeys jumping on the bed One fell off and bumped his head Mama called the doctor and the doctor Said, " No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed, three little monkeys jumping on the bed, (and so on). One Little Flower, One Little Bee One little flower, one little bee. One little blue bird, high in the tree. One little brown bear smiling at me. One is the number I like, you see.

Five Cookies

Action poem Five little cookies in the bakery shop. Shinning bright with the sugar on top. Along comes (child's name) with a nickel to pay. He/she buys a cookie and takes it away. (continue with four, three, two and one).

Nursery Rhyme 1,2 Tie my shoe 3,4 Shut the door 5,6 Pick up sticks 7,8 Lay them straight 9, 10 A big fat hen. Let's get up and count again!

One, Two, Tie My Shoe

Five Fat Peas A counting fingerplay especially useful in the spring and summer. Five fat peas in a pea pod pressed (children hold hand in a fist) One grew, two grew, so did all the rest. (put thumb and fingers up one by one) They grew and grew (raise hand in the air very slowly) And did not stop, Until one day The pod went POP! (children clap hands together)

The Star
Jane Taylor

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark, Lights the traveller in the dark Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

What are little boys made of? What are little boys made of? Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails, And that are little boys made of. What are little girls made of? What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and all things nice, And that are little girlds made of. What are young men made of? What are young men made of? Sighs and leers, and crocodile tears, And that are young men made of. What are young women made of? What are young women made of? Ribbons and laces, and sweet pretty faces, And that are young women made of.

Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. Then up Jack got and home did trot, As fast as he could caper. He went to bed to mend his head With vinegar and brown paper.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockleshells, and silver bells, And pretty maids all in a row.

Georgy Porgy
Georgy Porgy, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry; When the boys came out to play, Georgy Porgy ran away.

My Hippo Has the Hiccups

My hippo has the hiccups and his hiccups shake the ground. The floor is always rumbling when my hippo is around. I bought him at the pet store But I missed a small detail. I didn't see the sign said: "Hiccupotamus for sale." --Kenn Nesbitt

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Itsy Bitsy spider climbing up the spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain Now Itsy Bitsy spider went up the spout again! Also known as Incy Wincy Spider!

Starlight star bright

Star Light Star bright, The first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.

Pussycat Pussycat
"Pussycat pussycat, where have you been?" "I've been up to London to visit the Queen." "Pussycat pussycat, what did you dare?" "I frightened a little mouse under her chair" "MEOWW!"

I Don't Know What to Do Today

I don't Perhaps or stay or take Or or or or or or or or or or or or know what to do today. I'll go outside and play, indoors and watch TV, a bath, or climb a tree.

maybe I'll go ride my bike, pick my nose, or take a hike, jump a rope, or scratch my head, play a game, or stay in bed, dance a jig, or pet the cat, drink some milk, or buy a hat, sing a song, or read a book, change my socks, or learn to cook, dig a hole, or eat a pear, call my friends, or brush my hair, hold my breath, or have a race, stand around and slap my face.

I'm so confused, and bored, and blue, to not know what I ought to do. I guess that I should just ask you. So, what do you think I should do?

--Kenn Nesbitt

Mice I think mice Are rather nice. Their tails are long, Their faces small, They haven't any Chins at all. Their ears are pink, Their teeth are white, They run about The house at night. They nibble things They shouldn't touch And no one seems To like them much. But I think mice Are nice. by Rose Fyleman Pigs Pigs are playful Pigs are pink Pigs are smarter than you think Pigs are slippery Pigs are stout Pigs have noses Called a snout Pigs are pudgy Pigs are plump Pigs can run. But never jump. Pigs are loyal Pigs are true Pigs don't care for Barbecue

A Cat came fiddling out of a Barn. A cat came fiddling out of a barn, With a pair of bagpipes under her arm. She could sing nothing but fiddle dee dee, The mouse has married the bumblebee. Pipe, cat; dance, mouse; We'll have a wedding at our good house. A Sailor went to Sea. A Sailor went to sea, sea, sea, To see what he could see, see, see, And all that he could see, see, see, Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea. Ring-a-ring o'Roses (2). Ring-a-ring o'roses A pocket full of posies, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down. The bird is on the steeple, High above the people, A-Tishoo! A-tishoo! We all kneel down. The King has sent his daughter To fetch a pail of water, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all bow down. The wedding bells are ringing, The children they are singing, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down.

1 2 Buckle My Shoe
1, 2, Buckle my shoe. 3, 4 Shut the door. 5, 6 Pick up sticks. 7, 8 Lay them straight. 9, 10 A big fat hen!

A sailor went to sea sea sea

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea. To see what he could see, see, see. But all that he could see, see, see. Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl lived in an oak The more he saw the less he spoke The less he spoke the more he heard. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

Alphabet Song
A-B-C-D-E-F-G H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P Q-R-S T-U-V W-X Y and Z. Now I know my ABC Next time won't you sing with me

As I was going to St Ives

As I was going to St Ives I met a man with seven wives And every wife had seven sacks And every sack had seven cats And every cat had seven kits Kits, cats, sacks, wives How many were going to St Ives?

Its raining, its pouring. The old man is snoring. He goes to bed and he bumps his head, And he doesnt get up in the morning

The Wind
~Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you; But when the leaves hang trembling The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I; But when the trees bow down their heads The wind is passing by.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

~Cecil Frances Alexander

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky; The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.