Submitted by Sandy Toms, Michigan
Idea posted March 10, 2002
This program is for Kindergarten and younger students- - - - -
Train Program (An hour long program for families)
Arrival
Tickets (3-4 different colors from construction paper to pin on with safety pins) as name tags. Sit on floor.
Introductions, parameters, etc.,
Felt Board - what can a train carry?
Story: Freight Train book by Donald Crews. Have all do a rhythmic "choo, choo, choo, choo" after each group of spoken words.
Songs: "Choo Choo Train," "Engine No. 9," "Down By the Station," "Little Red Caboose" (I wrote some "B" section verses for this song), "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad," (Music K-8, Vol. 6, No. 5) "Same Train."
Rhythmic Activity: Travelin' on a Train (Divide groups in half to chant)
Use poster
Movement:
1. "Listen to the sound of a Train comin' in" (four adult leaders will stop 'train' (line of students) to invite new 'cars' (students) to join)
2. A few adults with red train signals will stop 'trains' at intervals; children take turns being in the front and playing the triangle as they move. In those 'trains' we move in a train-like fashion, stopping when recorded music stops and greeting other trains along the way (listen for whistle signals: 1 short whistle means stop, 2 (short whistles) = slowing, 3 = back up and 1 long whistle means turn around (everyone does a 180) and go opposite direction).
3. Parents form tunnel with their legs, children (those old enough) line up and crawl through.
4. Cool Down: Sway, then sit for song.
Song: "Morningtown Ride"
Snack: "Create a Train" (supplies on tables at back with chairs for all) Placemats to create on.
Soda or Club Crackers, Peanut Butter, Cheerios Various snacks (cheese, pretzel sticks. carrots, goldfish crackers. marshmallows, etc.) Use the cracker to make the train cars, the cheerios for the wheels, and the other items for the cargo for the train. For example: They could have one cracker and have a flatcar and stack it full of pretzel sticks for logs. Anything works.
Extras: Medals (ribbons with 'medallion' that says "Really Useful Engine")
Buy painters caps, dye grey, and have kids paint or color black stripes on
Party favors: stickers, booklet of train activities
Table of train pictures, books, toy trains to look at
Photos of kids at the big train
(Ed. note: Might we also suggest a railroad safety song? "Look, Listen & Live" from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 3, also available as a Singles Reproducible Kit.)