The “Muffin Man Song” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a fantastic educational tool that can bring joy and learning into your Kindergarten and Grade 1 classroom. After revisiting this classic nursery rhyme, I was inspired to develop a comprehensive lesson plan centered around muffins and music!
To kick things off, start by singing the classic “Muffin Man song” together with your students. This is a wonderful warm-up activity for both their voices and bodies. To make it interactive, encourage each student to demonstrate the beat in a different way – tapping their knees, clapping hands, tapping their ears, touching their toes, and so on – while you lead the singing. This helps them internalize rhythm and express it physically.
Once your students are familiar with the melody, enhance their engagement by incorporating a visual element. Watch and clap or tap along to this entertaining video rendition of the song:
Image alt text: Animated video still of the Muffin Man song, ideal for engaging young children in music class.
To further energize the learning environment and encourage movement, introduce the poem “Three Little Muffins”. This poem adds a counting element and a playful narrative to the muffin theme.
Three Little Muffins
There were *3* little muffins in a bakery shop
(whispered) You know the kind with the honey and the nuts on top!
Along came a boy/girl with a penny to pay,
He/she bought that muffin and ran away!
*Each time through the poem, subtract one. So 3, 2, 1…
There were *NO* little muffins in the bakery shop
(whispered) You know the kind with the honey and the nuts on top!
Along came a boy/girl with a penny to pay,
He/she said “What? No muffins today!”
Transform this poem into an interactive drama activity! Divide students into groups and provide them with simple props like paper muffins and pretend pennies. Some can role-play as shopkeepers, while others are customers. As you chant the poem together, maintain a steady beat using a drum. The anticipation builds with each verse, and students particularly love being the final customer exclaiming, “What? No muffins today?” This activity is not only a hit in the classroom but has also been enjoyed by students during recess, extending the learning and fun beyond the music lesson.
This activity is excellent for young children to practice vocal dynamics (spoken, loud, whisper) and gain confidence with solo speaking parts in a supportive and enjoyable setting. It’s a gentle introduction to performance and storytelling.
To explore rhythm further with the “Muffin Man song”, bring out the rhythm sticks! Distribute rhythm sticks to each student and introduce this version of the song as a rhythm-based activity. Before playing the song, demonstrate different ways to play the rhythm sticks, such as tapping them on the ground and clicking them together. This allows students to experiment with different sounds and techniques. If your classroom has hard floors, consider using polyspots as ‘drum pads’ to soften the sound, creating a more comfortable auditory environment.
Image alt text: Students engaging in a rhythm sticks activity in a music classroom, learning to play along with the Muffin Man song.
For extending the muffin theme and incorporating literacy, consider reading books that complement the lesson. “If You Give a Moose a Muffin” and “The Muffin Man (Tangled Tunes)” are excellent choices. These books are readily available on Amazon and often at local libraries, making them accessible resources to enhance your muffin-themed lesson.
In conclusion, integrating the “Muffin Man song” into your K/1 music lessons offers a versatile and engaging approach to teaching rhythm, vocal dynamics, counting, and imaginative play. These muffin-filled activities are sure to create a memorable and enriching learning experience for your students.
