This song springboards off an old familiar classic, well-known and -loved by a wide audience. It's always reassuring to feel one knows A BIT of the new song. Between the short refrain, there is scope to play endlessly with the engaging activity of 'reading' farm animals.
This is the start of reading for young children, developing essential pre-literate skills required for this complex task which underpins all subsequent education.
Here are some of the said skills:
continuous eye tracking from left to right, same as on a page
naming in sequence
rhythmic patterning and flow
recognition of shape + name
adjusting to sequential shifts and gaps
crossing the midline
All this is reinforced in a fun, mesmerising way because of the repetitive nature of the game. Learning happens best with repetition, which here is underpinned by the steady 4-beat meter. Those who are a bit slower will be carried by the group. You choose whether to repeat each sequence two or four times, depending on your group. The switches you make will keep attention alert, and removing the animals gives it an extra edge, sounding the words silently in the head. Always start with 4 animals, representing the 4 counting beats holding it together.
I've found it interesting to note that generally domestic and farm animals have fewer syllables than wild animals. Compare: pig, cow, horse, goat with hippopotamus, elephant, rhinoceros, wildebees, impala..... . Of course we aim for a mix of syllables to make the most interesting and musical rhythms, so choose the animals you line up accordingly.
eg sheep rabbit chicken pig
has a good ring to it, mixed up as it is with long and short sounds syllables.
Old MacDonald had a farm e i e i o
Let's go and see what's in his barn e i e i o
Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs-and -dances for children listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/old-macdonald_20.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-ant-house_18.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/old-king-glory.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/we-need-bees.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/my-animal-friends.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/08/plastic-bottle-eco-brick_22.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/hand-game_17.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/round-garden_48.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/05/tree-in-wood_16.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/building-up-house_16.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-voice-in-cupboard_5.html
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