Singing Games Year 4 Notations - 1,2,3,4 french skipping

A delightful singing game designed for Year 4 students, "1,2,3,4 french skipping" is a rhythmic chant that can be used in conjunction with a French skipping game. The notation for the song is straightforward, consisting of a series of musical beats (notated as 'Û') that guide the children through the lyrics. The chant starts with a simple count "1, 2, 3, 4," followed by a playful line "Mary at the cottage door," continuing with the counting sequence "5, 6, 7, 8" and concluding with "eating cherries off a plate!" The structure of the song is designed to be easy for children to remember and recite.

The game is not only about singing but also involves physical activity. The jumping pattern for this game mirrors that of the traditional "England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales" skipping game, with movements including left and right jumps, and then inside, outside, and on the rope. Children personalise the game by jumping and chanting their own name in place of 'Mary' and can also choose a different food item to replace 'cherries' for a creative twist. When played with the whole class, it's often simpler to keep the food item consistent. This game is a fun way to combine physical education with music and rhythm.