Dance like Animals for International Dance Day

April 29 is International Dance Day. Find a dance and dance to it. Here are some dances that animals have performed.

Physical Education/Dance Activity: Dance to the music as they are played. You can pretend you are that animal and try to copy the moves the animals make. If you like, have someone video tape your dance moves.

Dancing Blue Footed Boobies - Ranger Rick
Dance with the Blue Footed Boobies. If you have blue socks, put those on, if not, pretend you are wearing blue socks.

The Stunning Dance of the Peacock Spider! - Ranger Rick

A Spanish Dancer Nudibranch Gives a Graceful Performance Every Time It Swims - Ranger Rick
This has beautiful music played as the background music.
Dance with the music as you watch the nudibranch swims (dances) in the waters.

Flight of the Bumblebee
This a link found on my blog.

Flight of the Bumblebee

The Flight of the Bumblebee is one of the most entertaining music pieces I have ever heard. It was written by Rimsky-Korsakoy. He was born in March 1844 in Russia. To learn more about Rimsky-Korsakov, at Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Classics for Kids | Composers and Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov @ Wikipedia.

Lesson Plans
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Classics for Kids | Composers
Lesson plans for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5 and much more

Africanized Honey Bees on the Move Lesson Plans

Crafts
Make a Bee Finger Puppet Craft.

For older children or adults: Felt Finger Puppets

There are many more ideas out of the web, just search for them online.

Music/Physical Activity
Listen to the music on Classics for Kids website
Dance like a bee as you dance to this fast and fun music.

Other Music Links
Flight of the Bumblebee
Flight of the Bumblebee - Canadian Brass

Abiyoyo Book Ideas

Abiyoyo is a famous children's book. Pete Seeger is the author of this book.

Book Background
You can read the background of this book.

Geography
Learn where South Africa is located on a map or globe South Africa. Talk about South Africa.

Music
Learn about the ukulele. Show photos of a ukulele. Talk about it.

Learn the Abiyoyo song

You can listen to Pete Seeger sing the lullaby.
Play it as many times as you like to your students (or children).

To read more about where the Abiyoyo song comes from, go to: What do you want to know about Abiyoyo?. This link includes two recordings of South African musicians playing different African instruments. The instruments that are played by these men are the uhadi and umrhubhe, and the Kalumbu.

Literature
Read or listen to the Abiyoyo story being read.
Pete Seeger Reads 'Abiyoyo' on Reading Rainbow

Physical Activity
As you listen to the story, Abiyoyo, dance like Abiyoyo. Stand in place and stomp your feet.

Arts & Crafts
Draw your very own Abiyoyo, the giant.
Make Abiyoyo into your own giant character!

Ukulele Music Craft
This is on our blog.

Lesson Ideas
Abiyoyo Lessons with Printables
Book Extension Ideas: Abiyoyo | Scholastic