DRAMATIC & CREATIVE READING ACTIVITIES

-Finger Play-Pantomime

Prepared By:KRISTINE ANN B. DE JESUS

BEED 4-23

HOW IMPORTANT MUSIC IS TO YOUR LIFE?

FINGER PLAYSFinger plays and rhymes come

to life during circle and large group times as preschool children show word meaning through simple actions and finger movements.  Preschoolers develop memory and recall skills as they sing and recite the songs and poems in this curriculum resource collection. 

FINGER PLAYSo Finger plays, action poems, nursery

rhymes, and songs are grouped according to early childhood education themes.

o Finger play songs are children’s songs that are designed to be accompanied by hand movements that relate to the content.

WHAT IS THE PRACTICE?Finger plays and action rhymes are

brief stories—often with rhymes— that are paired with finger or body motions.

Finger plays and action rhymes help toddlers learn about rhyming words and poetry. They get toddlers to listen, speak, and pair words with actions.

WHAT DOES THE PRACTICE LOOK LIKE?

Sometimes a toddler says a rhyme and uses his/her fingers, hands, or body to “act it out.” When s/he does these things, s/he is playing a finger play or action rhyme.

HOW DO YOU DO THE PRACTICE?

• Finger plays and action rhymes can be about any subject that interests your toddler. • If the finger play or action rhyme

is a new one, teach it with pleasure. • Repeat the finger play or action

rhyme slowly. You start the finger play or action rhyme.

HOW DO YOU DO THE PRACTICE?

• Let the toddler lead the finger play or action rhyme as much as possible, even if s/he makes mistakes. • Trying new finger plays or action rhymes is fun for the toddler, but don’t forget the old favorites. • Encourage the toddler to try finger plays and action rhymes.

Finger play Songs that Tell a Story

Some of the most popular finger play songs in the United States are probably:1.The Eensy-Weensy Spider—which has several variant spellings including “Itsy Bitsy Spider”2. I Had a Little Turtle 3. This Little Piggy4. Where Is Thumbkin?

Finger play Songs About Everyday Things and Counting

Other finger play songs repeat basic information about life, without telling a story. 1. The Wheels on the Bus2. Here are Grandma’s Spectacles3. Open, Shut Them4. If You’re Happy and You Know It5. I’m a Little Teapot

Finger play Songs for Long Trips

The sequence of movements provides a balance for the large motor movements in many singing games and dances.1. Skip to My Lou2. The Hokey Pokeyand circle games:3. Lucy Locket,4. Ring Around the Rosie 5. Farmer in the Dell6. Hot Potato, 7. Duck Duck Goose!

1. Eensey Weensey Spider

Some people say “itsy bitsy”, some people say “incy wincy.

This song is a staple in classrooms and homes

worldwide.

2. Five Little Monkeys

Those monkeys jumping on the bed and refusing to go to sleep. Kids can relate

to this song, and are sure to giggle at the idea.

3. Wheels on the Bus

This song can be sung over and over. This song can be done as a

finger play, or, if space is available, act it out with chairs,

a bus driver and passengers.

4. Rock, Scissors, Paper

It is great for using your imagination to come up with all kinds of fun combinations. This song also helps teach left and

right. Using just the three symbols of rock (fist), scissors

(two fingers extended) or paper (hand open with fingers

extended), make various foods, animals and other common

objects.

5. Open Shut Them

This is a classic kids’ song that has been

around for a long time.

I CAUGHT A FISHOne, two, three, four, five. -(Hold up fingers one at a time on right hand.) I caught a fish alive.- (Cup hands and pretend to catch a fish.)Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,- (Hold up fingers one at a time on left hand.) I let it go again.- (Pretend to release the fish.)Why did you let that fishy go?- (Cock head to one side.) Because it bit my finger so. - (Shake head.) Which finger did it bite? – (Cock head to one side.) My little finger on my right.- (Hold up right pinky.)

MONKEYS AND ALLIGATORFive little monkeys- (Hold up 5 fingers.) Swinging from a tree, Teasing Mr. Alligator, -(Point finger as if teasing.)“Can’t catch me! You can’t catch me!”- (Shake head “no.”) Along came Mr. Alligator quiet as can be -(Put palms together and slowly, move like an alligator.) And snatched a monkey right out of the tree! - (Open and clap palms as if chomping on something.) Four…three…two…one “Missed me, missed me!-(Put open hands on either side of your head and wiggle.)Now you gotta kiss me!”

Tommy ThumbTommy Thumb's up and Tommy

Thumb's down.Tommy Thumb dancing all

around.Tommy's on my shoulders,

Tommy's on my head.Then my little Tommy goes

straight to bed.

Peter Pointer's up and Peter Pointer's down.

Peter Pointer's dancing all around.

Peter's on my shoulders, Peter's on my head.

Then my little Peter goes straight to bed.

Mary Middle's up and Mary Middle's down.

Mary Middle's dancing all around.

Mary's on my shoulders, Mary's on my head.

Then my little Mary goes straight to bed.

Ricky Ring's up and Ricky Ring's down.

Ricky Ring's dancing all around.Ricky's on my shoulders, Ricky's

on my head.Then my little Ricky goes

straight to bed.

Petunia Pinky's up and Petunia

Pinky's down.Petunia Pinky's dancing all

around.Petunia's on my shoulders,

Petunia's on my head.Then little Petunia goes straight

to bed.

Finger Family's up and Finger Family's down.

Finger Family's dancing all around.

Fingers on my shoulders, fingers on my head.

Then my little fingers go straight to bed.

 

Five Little CaterpillarsFive little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,

One falls off, goes to sleep.Close her eyes and wait a week,

Up comes a butterfly floating on the breeze.

Four little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,One falls off, goes to sleep.

Close his eyes and wait a week,Up comes a butterfly floating on the

breeze.

Three little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,One falls off, goes to sleep.

Close her eyes and wait a week,Up comes a butterfly floating on the

breeze.

Two little caterpillars wiggling on a leaf,One falls off, goes to sleep.

Close his eyes and wait a week,Up comes a butterfly floating on the

breeze.

One little caterpillar wiggling on a leaf,She falls off, goes to sleep.

Close her eyes and wait a week,Up comes a butterfly floating on the

breeze.

No more caterpillars, no more leaves!Five little butterflies floating on the

breeze.

Old Brass Wagon (shapes)Circle to the left, Old Brass WagonCircle to the left, Old Brass WagonCircle to the left, Old Brass Wagon

Now there's one my darling

Oval to the right, Old Brass WagonOval to the right, Old Brass WagonOval to the right, Old Brass Wagon

That makes two my darling

Square in the middle, Old Brass WagonSquare in the middle, Old Brass WagonSquare in the middle, Old Brass Wagon

Now there’s three my darling

Triangle up high, Old Brass WagonTriangle up high, Old Brass Wagon

Triangle up high, Old Brass WagonThat makes four my darling

Rectangle down low, Old Brass WagonRectangle down low, Old Brass WagonRectangle down low, Old Brass Wagon

That makes five my darling!

Rhombus to the side, Old Brass WagonRhombus to the side, Old Brass WagonRhombus to the side, Old Brass Wagon

We'll stop at 6 my darlingWe'll stop at 6 my darlingLet's stop at 6 my darling!

Little Mousie BrownLittle Mousie Brown

Crawled up the big, white candlestick And couldn't get back down

So she called to her Grandma"Grandma! Grandma!"

But Grandma was not around,So she curled into a little ball and rolled herself right down

Yes she curled into a little ball and rolled herself right down!(Repeat- Grandpa, Mamma, Dadda)

While sitting at your desk, perform the following imaginary actions without talking:

1. Writing a letter2. Picking up a glass of cold water3. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate

4. Eating a jumbo chocolate chip cookie in three bites.

CAN YOU COMMUNICATE

EFFECTIVELY WITH FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

AND GESTURES?

MIME vs. PANTOMIME• Mime comes from the Greek word m i m e s i s ,

meaning “to imitate an activity.” Mime’s main activity is movement, and its content often deals with the complex meanings and forces of life.

• Pantomime comes from the Latin word p a n t o m i m u s , meaning “all gestures used in support of a theme.” Pantomime revolves around character and plot, using imaginary props and people to tell a story.

• In both arts, the actors portray characters and scenes through facial expressions and body language that the audience can easily understand.

MIME Mimes do not speak with their

mouths, but express life through movement and through using their bodies to suggest their environment.

Mime has many different styles, including rituals, commedia dell’ arte, silent acting, and French classical mime.

Mime is more complex, based on theme, illusion, and plot, requiring a higher level of communication between the performer and the audience.

PANTOMIME A dramatic technique of

communicating through gesture without speech.

Pantomime uses mime techniques to communicate and create characters and plot to its audience.

Pantomime usually has simple and chronological story lines, such as brushing your teeth, playing a tuba, watching a tennis match, or stepping on a piece of gum.

MIME vs. PANTOMIME

MIME• is the “silent” art of using body movements to

create an illusion of reality. The word “mime” can also refer to the performer of this art. Mime is a very old form of theatrical expression.

• an art that lies somewhere between drama and dance.

• Mime techniques are often difficult and demanding to do. They involve a system of exercises and technical strategies of dramatic movements.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■The most famous mime in the world is probably Marcel Marceau.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

 A talented mime can make you believe he is actually doing what he is only pretending to do.

Mime The silent art of using

body movements to create an illusion of reality.

Without ever needing to say a

word, silent-screen star

Charlie Chaplin (here,

tipping his hat to a police officer in City Lights) made millions of

people laugh and cry.

PANTOMIMEoPantomime is the extended use

of mime techniques in telling a story. Other definitions might include “acting without words,” “non-verbal communication telling a story,” or “telling a story in chronological order using only gestures.”

oCavemen told their hunting stories and other adventures using their body movements to express themselves.

PANTOMIMEoA single actor often played many

roles in the form of interpretive dances accompanied by a chorus who told a story from mythology.

o In medieval times, characters in the miracle plays used pantomime to communicate the good and bad of humankind.

o The goal of all the characters was to be at peace with each other and keep harmony among the players.

Pantomime the use of mime techniques, acting

without words, to tell a story.

is the art of creating the illusion of reality and the art of imagining the world together with others.

  -Claude Kipnis

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Pantomime is closely related to juggling and acrobatics.

Throughout history, people have been entertained by artists such as this “Jack in the Box” at the

Drury Lane Theatre in London, who have specialized in pantomime,

juggling, and acrobatics

The art of pantomime is the language of the

heart. -Marcel

Marcau

PANTOMIME• It is still used in England in “farces”

staged around Christmas.• Participating in pantomime will help

you develop your confidence, personal resources, and stage techniques. Realistic pantomime requires time, study, and self-discipline, but it is fun.

• It is basically an art that requires concentration on details in movements and expression.

• Physical skills are needed to be able to communicate with your audience. Studying and using pantomime techniques that enhance muscular coordination, poise, and facial expression will help you be more successful.

• Pantomime is extremely effective with an audience because people are more inclined to believe what they see than what they hear.

• Pantomime is an effective and powerful acting skill. This is why your stage movement and pantomime activities in class should be clearly communicated with simplicity, accuracy, consistency, and exaggeration.

PANTOMIME

PANTOMIME• In pantomime you should show, not tell,

what is happening. You must visualize in your mind the images you want to project to your audience.

• Make your actions clear and exact so that your observers are never in doubt about what is happening in your pantomime.

• Begin your preparation by selecting an idea or story line for your pantomime.

• The structure of a pantomime story line is prepared with the three basic parts —the beginning, middle, and end.• An introduction (introduces the

character), a conflict (establishes a problem), and the resolution (solves the problem).

PANTOMIME

Key Elements in Preparing and Presenting your Pantomime

1. Simplicity-helps the audience understand what is happening in your presentation.

2. Accuracy-makes the presentation believable and precise.

3. Consistency-keeps all the items in a pantomime the same size, shape, weight, and in the same place.

4. Exaggeration-makes the actions in pantomime bigger than life, helping the audience see your action with more clarity.

Focus, Reach, Take, Accent, and Release

If you focus (visualize) and then reach (approach) for your object (for example, an imaginary glass of water), it is easier for your audience to follow your action. Don’t forget to take (establish space) and

release (let go of) your object. However, 80 percent of your pantomime is the

accent- showing size, shape, weight, level, texture, temperature, and any other detail that will lead to

clarity of movement.

Other traditions of pantomime in a

presentation1. Wearing clothes that are black, white, and sometimes accented with red; 2. Soft, flexible black flat shoes; and 3. White makeup to neutralize the performer’s face.

Through movement and expression, you can create a whole world of

characters, objects, and places in the story, your pantomime.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ Lucille Ball was such a talented

pantomime artist and comedienne that her “I Love Lucy” are being enjoyed on cable

television networks over

forty years after they were first

produced.