Spiders are "arachnids" and are different from insects. Spiders have 8 legs and 2 main body parts. Spiders spin webs in which they nest and catch insects for food. When spiders hatch from their eggs they are called spiderlings.
"The Itsy Bitsy Spider" is a finger play song. Children's use their fingers to dramatize the story. Their fingers are the spiders climbing up the spout, the rain falling down from the sky, the sun drying up the rain and the spider climbing back up the spout. While simple, the story of the spider climbing up the spout, getting washed out but then trying again and succeeding is one of persistence. If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again!
UNITS: This song is a great accompaniment to lessons on spiders, Halloween and trying things that are difficult and that present challenges.
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THE SONG:
Frankie D - lead vocals Steven Bernstein - trumpet Steven "Muddy" Roues - acoustic bass Michael Mancini - keyboard Jeffrey Friedberg - electric guitar Ray Levier - drums
1. Children touch index finger of left hand to index finger of right hand and alternate with both thumbs touching - pretending to be spider climbing up spout.
2. Raise arms over head, wiggle fingers and slowly lower arms - pretending to be the rain falling down
3. Raise arms over head and make a circle with thumbs and index fingers - pretending to be the sun drying up all the rain
4. Touch index finger of left hand to index finger of right hand and alternate with both thumbs touching - pretending to be spider climbing back up spout.
Alternate Activity: Play song and ask children to use their entire bodies to pretend they are the spider, the rain and the sun.
For discussion: Ask children what things they find difficult and that take persistence. Have they ever had to try really hard to do something - and then succeeded? What was that like?
guitar chords
It's time to get comfortable in the key of "E". And you can impress your friends with a "B7" chord. I love the "B7"!
Lyrics
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain And the itsy spider went up the spout again