Our bodies are wonderful machines with many different parts! Our head is on top and our toes are on the bottom. Our eyes help us see and ears help us to listen and follow directions, mouth to taste and speak (and sing, of course!) and our nose to smell.
In this song, children follow along with the lyrics using both hands to touch a part of their body, i.e. head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. This song is a great "warmup" activity as it gets kids thinking and moving at the same time. And it's fun! In this version of the song, a fast and slow section are included which can be used to teach children about the musical concept of "tempo".
UNITS: This song is a great accompaniment to lessons on anatomy, for structured activity during physical education class or recess and for teach about "fast" and "slow".
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THE SONG:
Billy Roues - vocs and electric guitar Steven Roues - vocs and acoustic bass Kenny Margolis - vocs and accordion Boris Kinberg - percussion Jeffrey Friedberg - vocs Bill Rankin - drums
1. Children stand in a line shoulder to shoulder or in a circle facing in
2. As the lyrics instruct, children use both hands to touch their head, shoulders, knees, toes, eyes, ears, mouth and nose.
3. Encourage the children to try to keep up with the fast section and to stay with the slow section.
Alternate Activity: Try making up a new verse with different body parts, i.e. eyebrows., chin, elbows, belly button, elbows, belly button.
guitar chords
Don't be intimidated by the bar chord! It'll take some time to build up hand strength but you can do it!
Lyrics
Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes Eyes and ears Mouth and nose Head, shoulders, knees and toes Knees and toes