Reply To: Games in the Music Classroom

Let Us Chae the Squirrel – I learnt an alternative style of chase game that I use for this. Students make a ‘tree’ (joined circle) with the ‘squirrel’ in the middle and the ‘hunter’ on the outside. The squirrel is magic and a hole (arch) opens in the circle (tree) when the squirrel approaches it. The squirrel has until the end of the song to get back in through the same hole in the tree without getting caught by the hunter. It is a one way tree (once the hunter has chosen a direction they have to keep going in that direction. The ‘hole’ stays open. In all my chase games you never give up (the chaser keeps gently taping you on the back until you return to your place- how many times can you tap them?)so that worst that can happen is you get a nice massage.

Pease Porridge Hot (verse 1 and 2) – (I think I learned this from Ann Slade) double circle facing partner: clap, right (hand with partners right hand), clap, left (hand with partners left hand), clap, cross (arms crossed touching opposite shoulders), clap, together (tap both hands with partners hands) repeat.
Extension 1- Change partners (outside moves to the right to meet a new partner) this takes some practice and I slowly make it automatic.
Extension 2 – use the person opposite you’s name, ‘I’ and next partners name. Eg ‘Sacha likes it hot, I like it cold, Liam likes it in the pot nine days old.’