Submitted by Rhonda Schilling, Madison, Wisconsin
Idea posted March 24, 2005
I need to give credit to Sharon Morrow in my school district for this chant as I got it from her.
Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar? Chant
- Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
- (Student 1's name) stole the cookie from the cookie jar.
- Student 1: Who me?
- Yes you!
- Student 1: Couldn't be!
- Then who?
- Student 1: (Student 2's name) stole the cookie from the cookie jar.
- Repeat
- Bass Xylophone Ostinato
- ||: EG A F G E :||
EG is the pick up (eighth notes - swing it!); AFGE are all quarter notes. It's really simple, and they just love it!
You repeat it all the way through the chant, ending on A at, "Then Who?" Then take an eight-beat break for improvisation.
I start this by teaching the chant and playing the ostinato myself. Then they walk the steady beat to the chant as they chant, stopping on the eight-beat break to improvise using body percussion. This is all done in a group to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Next, I give them each a Boomwhacker®, and they improvise using the Boomwhackers® on the eight beats (as a group). Then we offer individual improvisations using body percussion, Boomwhackers®, xylophones, etc.
Usually there are a few kids who hover around me to learn the ostinato, and I let them take over for me. It's a HUGE hit, and I've used it all the way down to second grade!