My Poor Hand is Shaking

I feel that it's important in a good lesson to have areas of concentration and areas of relaxation.  The areas of relaxation in a lesson are so important.  They allow students a chance to move, release some energy and regain focus.  These are sometimes in the form of a singing game, other times in the form of a movement song. 

One of my favorite movement songs to use with my preschoolers and kinders is My Poor Hand is Shaking.  I learned this from Susan Brumfield during my level I Kodály class back in 1999.  It's a tried and true favorite. . . and it's a lot of fun (for both the student and the teacher.  Really, what's cuter then watching those little ones get their wiggles out?!).

2.  My poor elbow. . .
3.  My poor shoulder. . .
4.  My poor hips. . .
5. My poor knees. . .
6.  My poor bottom. . .
7.  My poor head. . .
8.  My whole self. . .

Action:  Children sing the song while shaking one hand, then stopping suddenly at the end (I usually grasp the shaking hand with my other hand, thus "stopping" it.)  After the hand stops shaking, the elbow starts shaking and the song continues.  This repeats through each verse until the very end when their whole bodies are shaking.

Have fun, this one gets the giggles going too! :)