Library Notes: Clap Your Hands

One book that has proven the test of time is called "Clap Your Hands" by Lorinda Cauley.  The sheer number of lessons that can be covered by reading this book are incredible.  You can find the book online to purchase and/or to listen to in a recorded storytelling  Here are some accompanying thoughts.

Expression: With body and words this book helps you express ideas in a fun manner alone or in a group

Engagement: It is an interactive book to entice reluctant readers and engage children in the class.

Understanding Emotions:  Build on the phrase, "Show me a smile. Show me a frown."

Connection to the world:  Connect to people ("Tell me your name.  How old are you?") and to the animal world by making animal sounds and copying their actions ("roar like a lion, growl like a bear")

Language Skills:  Study verbs (action words) such as clap, stomp, shake, wiggle, wave. How many are in the book?

Vocabulary: Label body parts ("clap your hands, stomp your feet, shake your arms and take a seat.").  

Rhythm:  This book has great cadence which makes it a good choice for music time.  When working on rate and rhythm of speech, this book is useful to help with that.

Rhyming:  There is a consistent pattern with rhyming words throughout the pages of the book.

Intonation: You voice can make this a calming activity or an active one to get your wiggles out

Gross Motor:  The book is action packed!  ("Stand on one foot and jump up and down.")

Fine Motor: Practice writing key words.  Make your own action book with pictures.

Art:  Make a flapping bird on a string craft, Trace your hands or a body in action and decorate it.

Sensory: Make silly faces. Rub your tummy. Make sounds. Move.  Play with animals in a rice bin.

Math:  Size ("Find something big. Find something small") and Counting (1-4, fingers, toes)

Colours:  Look at the colour of clothing or animals.  ("Find something yellow. Find something red.:)

Science: Discuss animal movements. ("Hop like a bunny, flap like a bird") 

Hope these ideas are useful for building literacy skills and that you enjoy the book!  Do you have another favourite book as I am open to commenting on ideas for it also.  Let me know.


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