Dragons are too much fun to bypass just because we don’t celebrate Michaelmas. So we are starting the New Year with a Dragon Circle theme – and reading about Dragons, and storytelling about Dragons. I for one am looking forward to it.

This is the day

The Lord has made

I will rejoice

And be glad

(Psalm 118:24)

Each week add new motion

1) Stand Still – Move Arms

2) Do 1 + say as March

3) Do 1, 2 + Clap Rhythm

4) DO 1, 2, & 3 + March & Clap together

Fairies are flying,

Elves are skipping,

Dwarfs are dancing,

Giants are tramping,

Hunters are galloping,

Dragons are prancing,

And the children tip-toe

(Follow the Leader by Dorothy Harrer )

I’m tired of being a dragon, (March)

Ferocious and brimming with flame, (Stomp)

The cause of unspeakable terror (Stomp louder)

When anyone mentions my name. (Stomp louder)

I’m bored with my bad reputation (March but drag the beat)

For being a miserable brute, (March lower to ground still dragging)

And being routinely expected (March lower to ground still dragging)

To brazenly pillage and loot. (March – Hands grabbing imaginary things off floor & out in pouch)

I wish that I weren’t repulsive, (Stomp in Place)

Despicable, ruthless, and fierce, (Making Fists – show strong arms)

With talons designed to dismember (Show Claws)

And fangs finely fashioned to pierce. (Show teeth)

I’ve lost my desire for doing (Sigh)

The deeds any dragon should do, (Slump shoulders, shake head)

But since I can’t alter my nature, (Snap to attention – shrug shoulders)

I guess I’ll just terrify you. (Run Around Room Roaring & Tickling)

 (A Dragon’s Lament by Jack Prelutsky)

Turn around once (whee)

And Swing your dragon tail (wiggle bottom)

Turn around twice (whee, whee)

And flap your wings like sails (flap arms)

Turn around three times (Whee, whee, whee)

Then Stomp your foot and roar (Stomp & Roar)

Jump up high, then sit on the floor. (Jump, sit)

(1,000 Fingerplays & Action Rhymes by Barbara Scott)

 Dragon, dire and dreadful beast

Deep in darkness dwells.

The evil deeds he does and sees

None dare ever tell

(http://thewaldorfconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Waldorf-Academy-Verses-Lesson-8.docx)

Pounding on the floor with hands to rhythm as you chant – 2 or 3 times get faster each time.

 One little,  Two little. Three little dragons

Four little, Five little, Six little dragons

Seven little , Eight little. Nine little dragons

Ten little dragons roar

Ten little. Nine little. Eight little dragons

Seven little. Six little. Five little dragons

Four little. Three little, Two little dragons

One little dragon snores

Finger play –  counting fingers

Now in Spanish

Uno, dos, tres Drogones

Cuatro, cinco, seis Drogones

Siete. Ocho, nueve Drogones

Diez Drogones rugido

Dies, nueve, ocho Drogones

Siete, Seis, cinco Drogones

Cuatro, tres, does Drogones

Uno Dragon ronca

Count Fingers again

 (Act out:)

All curled up in my small little shell

Rolling around in this place which I dwell

Wondering what the world will be

I’m ready to break out – I’m ready to see.

I knock and I scratch, I push and I shove

I hear the shell crack and I see blue sky above

I bust out and shake the dust off from inside

I stretch my bones tall and spread my wings wide

I leap to my feet and breath my first fire

To soar through the air is my greatest desire

(Dragons Coming Out Party by Joyce Pinero – my first attempt at writing a verse)

 Good job my courageous one

Now our circle’s almost done

To be brave you must see

God is always with you and me

(Give child a hug and squeeze)

Jesus, help my eyes to see
All the good Thou sendest me.
Jesus, help my ears to hear
Calls for help from far and near.
Jesus, help my feet to go
In the way that Thou wilt show.
Jesus, help my hands to do
All things loving, kind, and true.
Jesus, may I helpful be,
Growing every day like Thee.

(Little Folded Hands, Prayers for Children) 

Face you child, Hold their hands and say prayer together

For Storytelling I’ll be telling the tale: The Dragon of Ghent

Read Aloud Book: My Father’s Dragon,