“The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything”-Storybook+Movement+Instruments

One of my favorite things to do in the music classroom is read books to my students! I especially love it when the book has musical aspects to it so it can be easily incorporated into my music curriculum. A book that I look forward to reading every Fall is “The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything.” It’s been around for awhile but I just recently discovered it last year. I guess I’m a little late to the party, but I’m hoping that this blog post will spread the news to anyone else who hasn’t heard of the book yet or looking for a fresh take. This lesson includes movement, singing, and instrument exploration! Let’s dive in.

The first thing I do is ask the kids how they’re feeling. I usually have a feelings meter to show them the range of emotions. Then I ask them if anyone has ever been afraid before. I tell them that this book is about a woman who claims that she’s never been afraid. I explain that being afraid is a normal feeling that most people have experienced before. Then I ask them if they think she’ll become afraid of something during the book. Most of them say, “YES!!!” Then I read the book to the kids. As I’m reading the book, I love to have the kids act out the movements with me. “Two shoes go “CLOMP, CLOMP”, a pair of pants go “WIGGLE, WIGGLE”, etc.” The whole book is so fun to read, especially if you really encourage the movements. After we read the book, I have them stand and move to the song that goes with the book. Here’s the version on Youtube that I use:

After the song, I ask the kids if they can sequence the order of the items. Then I write them on my whiteboard.

1. Shoes-CLOMP
2. Pants-WIGGLE
3. Shirt-SHAKE
4. Gloves-CLAP
5. Hat-NOD
6. Pumpkin Head-BOO!

Then I write each item’s name on a piece of paper and set them on the floor in order. Afterwards, I ask them which percussion instrument would go best with each item. When the class decides that shoes go best with woodblocks, then I set the woodblocks down near the piece of paper with “shoes” written on it. Every class chooses different instruments for each item, but here are my favorite instrument matches.

1. Shoes-Woodblocks
2. Pants-Rhythm sticks
3. Shirt-Shakers
4. Gloves-Hand Drums
5. Hat- Sandblocks
6. Pumpkin Head- Cymbals

When we’ve got the instruments all laid out in order, I remind them that we do not touch the instruments until I say. And that they will each play 2 times when it’s their instrument’s part in the song. I divide the students into small groups and disperse them among the instruments. Then I turn on “The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything” music video from before, and when their item shows up, they play their instrument. See the video below for an example of the lesson.

• 

• 

I hope you enjoyed this Fall-themed storybook lesson!! If you’d like other Fall-themed lessons, read my blogposts for “Skin & Bones” and “Pumpkin, Pumpkin”. Also, I’d love to connect with you on social media. You can find me on Instagram & Facebook! Have a great week!

Keepin’ it Simple,

Paige