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Open-ended songs are songs where each verse stays the same except for a small change. Some of the easiest songs to adapt are shown below.
The important part of singing “open-ended” songs is to let your children choose the character, action or object you will sing about next.
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THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
Tune: “The Bear Went Over the Mountain”
The Bear went over the mountain.
The Bear went over the mountain.
The Bear went over the mountain.
And what do you think he saw?
He saw a ________________.
He saw a ________________.
He saw a ________________
And went along his way.
Continue the song, this time singing about the animal that the bear saw and so on.
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OLD MAC DONALD – Let your children choose animals to sing about. |
THE FARMER IN THE DELL – Let your children decide who the farmer chooses in each verse.
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WHERE IS THUMBKIN? - Let your children change this song to whatever character the want to sing about. |
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS – Change this song to be about an animal and a movement they do. Such as, “The wings on the duck go flap, flap, flap.”
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MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB – Let your child sing this song using other animals. Such as, “Mary had a little kitten”. |
I HEAR
Tune: “Frere Jacques”
I hear drums.
I hear drums.
Hear them beat.
Hear them beat.
Rat – a – tat – a – tat – tat
Rat – a – tat – a – tat – tat
Hear them beat.
Jean Warren
Change song each time to a different instrument.
You could also turn this into a song about animals and the sounds they make.
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HEAR WE GO MARCHING
Tune: “Here We Go Around The Mulberry Bush”
Here we go marching down the street, down the street, down the street.
Here we go marching down the street, on our way to school.
Jean Warren
Change song each time to a different way to go down the street, such as jumping, running, etc. |
WIGGLE YOUR TOES
Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle your toes.
Wiggle them up and down.
Wiggle them every which way,
As you turn around.
Jean Warren
Change song each time to a different movement, such as, wave your arm, blink your eyes, stomp your feet, etc.
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IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT
Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
Traditional
Change song each time by changing how you show that you are happy. Such as, stomp your feet, flap your arms, wave your hands, bend down low, turn around. Let each child have a turn choosing a version and acting it out for the rest of the group. |
SHE WILL BE DRIVING A GREEN VAN
Tune: “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round The Mountain”
She’ll be driving a green van when she comes.
She’ll be driving a green van when she comes.
She’ll be driving a green van, she’ll be driving a green van.
She’ll be driving a green van when she comes.
Adapted Traditional
Let your children think of different types of vehicles that He (or She) could be driving, such as, an old jalopy, a big truck, a red bike, a golf cart, a school bus, a motor home, etc. |
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