Song: Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Here's how we
gradually developed one of the kids' favorite songs into a class theater activity.
Materials
Ten (or more or fewer)
little monkeys jumping on the bed. (Hold up and bounce 10 fingers.)
One fell off and broke his head. (Hold heads.)
Daddy (Mommy) called the doctor, (Pantomime dialing and talking on the phone.)
And the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!” (Chanted while
shaking finger in air as reprimand.)
Procedures
1. Sing the song as a group using finger play and motions
described above.
2. When the song is familiar, start expanding and elaborating it:
a) Several children may act out monkeys jumping up and down in middle of circle
while group sings along, doing the gestures. Teacher taps one child who acts
out "One fell off..."
b) At a later time, divide the group into monkeys, parents and doctors to sing
and pantomime appropriate parts of each verse. Point to and sing along with
each group at appropriate parts of the song. (Don't forget female physicians.)
c) Add props and costumes (play phones, blanket for bed, hats, stethoscopes,
etc.). Station three groups of actors in three distinct areas and allow each to
sing and act independently with minimal direction.
d) Take photos for bulletin board or scrap book and arrange a time for parents
or another class to watch the class perform.
Variations
Acting out nursery rhymes is a good introduction to acting out songs. Seat
children in a circle and try these:
4. “Jack Be Nimble”
(Child’s name) be nimble (Child who is named comes to the center of circle.)
(Child’s name) be quick
(Child’s name) jump over the candlestick! (On “jump,” child jumps over candle
or facsimile.)
5. “Little Ms. (or Mr.) Muffet”
(Props: Pillow or stool in center of circle; bowl; spoon.)
Little (Child’s name) Muffet
Sat on a tuffet.
Eating his/her curds and whey. (Child who is chosen acts out sitting and
eating.)
Along came a spider (Child acting as spider comes out.)
And sat down beside her/him
And frightened (Child’s name) Muffet away! (Muffet drops bowl and runs back to their
seat in the circle.) 
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