Katalina GoesBack to School
Oh, mygoodness! August is almost hereand many of you are getting ready to go back to school. Katalina Matalina would like to go withyou this year!
Katalina and I goback a long time to when I was a girl scout in the 1950’s. I loved her then and children stilllove her today! She has several cousins,like Hagalena Magalena, but the message is the same.
Skills: phonologicalawareness, invented spelling, diversity, comprehension
Directions: Children will love singing this song tothe tune of “Shortnin’ Bread.” Then you can use Katalina as a catalyst for reinforcing other skills.
*The song is on my“Silly Songs” CD if you want to get it on my website drjean.org.
Chorus: KatalinaMatalina Upsadina Walkadina Hoca Poca Loca was her name.
Herhead was shaped like a baseball bat. (Point to head.)
Andright on top was a funny, old hat. (Chorus)
Shehad two hairs in her head. (Pointto hair.)
Onewas alive and the other was dead. (Chorus)
Shehad two eyes in her head. (Pointto eyes.)
Onewas purple and the other was red. (Chorus)
Shehad two teeth in her mouth. (Pointto mouth. Point up and down.)
Onepointed north and the other pointed south. (Chorus)
Herneck was as long as a ten foot pole. (Point to neck.)
Andright in the middle was a big, black bow. (Chorus)
Herhips were like two ships in port. (Wiggle hips.)
Oneheaded south and the other headed north. (Chorus)
Herfeet were as flat as a bathroom mat. (Point to feet.)
Howdid they ever get like that? (Chorus)
Butshe had a heart, so I’m told. (Puthands over heart.)
Thatwas made of purest gold. (Chorus)
Syllables - Clapout the syllables in Katalina’s name. Clap out the syllablesin the children’s names in your classroom. Count howmany claps in each person’s name. Compare and graph.
Shared Writing - Asan interactive writing activity slowly say Katalina’s name. Encourage the children to call out letters as you write them on theboard. Makeup silly rhymes with children’s names,
Comprehension - Have children close their eyes as yousing the song and createa picture of Katalina in their heads. Give each child asheet of paper to draw her interpretation of Katalina. Displayon a bulletin board or make a class book.
Diversity - Talkabout what it means to have a heart of gold. Cut out 4 hearts and decorate with gold glitter. Punch holes in the heartsand tie on string to make necklaces. Each day when yousee a child being a kind friend, let them wear KatalainaMatalina's heart of gold.
