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The Other Eight Reindeer.mp3
Themed activities are great for young children, especially when it comes to the holidays. Some of the themes I use with my students during this time of year include snowmen, Santa, giving and sharing, and Christmas trees. The more creative, the better!
With just a few props and some special tunes, you can easily create a reindeer theme for your classroom. Here are some suggestions:
- Costumes. I found some inexpensive reindeer antlers (made of felt and attached to a headband) at a discount store. Pass out to the children as they arrive.
- Reindeer nametags. Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen will all be present at this party! To make the nametags, I printed them on cardstock, laminated, hole-punched, and created lanyards by looping sparkly green yarn through the holes.
- Instruments. In lieu of clacking hooves, the children will tap rhythm sticks together to make that signature reindeer sound. I even wrote a song called Do You Hear the Reindeer Tapping on the Roof? for this occasion.
- Appropriate songs. Of course, we’ll sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", along with the song I mentioned above. I’m also including my song "The Other Eight Reindeer" which you can listen to below.
- Choreography. Before singing "The Other Eight Reindeer" I will ask the children to line up in a row, in order of reindeer name. As each one "flies away" according the the lyrics, I will instruct them to "fly" back to their seat until no more remain.
- The Big finish. We’ll end the music portion of the event by singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas together, at which point the children will move on the next station and I will get ready to do it all again with the next group!
Written by Rachel RambachListen to "The Other Eight Reindeer" in the audio player below, from Listen & Learn: Christmas