Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan
Idea posted December 19, 2001
Materials:
maple leaf cookies, real maple syrup, plastic spoons (opt.), napkins in autumn colors, recording of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag," photocopied pictures of Joplin to color, crayons
Procedures:
COPYCAT TREES:
Play the recording as kids enter, and give each child two napkins. All kids pretend to be trees. Lead them in a follow-the-leader dance, waving napkins while listening to the song. Stand with feet shoulder's width apart, standing in one spot, like trunks. Choose a student to take over as leader. Continue until the end of the song. Sit.
MAPLE SYRUP:
Show a picture of Scott Joplin from a book or one of the papers that is colored already. If possible, show a picture of maple leaf(ves) or ones from outside. Talk about how they dance through the air in the wind. Tell the kids about maple syrup coming from trees. Give each student a taste of REAL 100% maple syrup with spoons, with one napkin under each spoon.
COLOR JOPLIN:
Color pictures of Joplin (or of autumn leaves if you have no Joplin picture) while listening to the song again. If you have time, repeat the copycat game using the napkin they have left.
MAPLE COOKIES:
As they leave, put one maple cookie on their napkin as a treat.