Singing Games Activity Book - John Kanaka

The "John Kanaka" activity book presents a singing game that combines traditional song with physical movement, ideal for engaging children in a fun and interactive way. The game is based on the sea shanty "John Kanaka" and requires an even number of participants, who form two concentric circles facing each other. The inner circle moves while the outer circle remains stationary. Children begin by shaking hands with their partner, then follow a sequence of actions in time with the song's lyrics. These actions include a do-si-do, stamping, tapping knees, clapping hands, and waving goodbye to partners as they rotate around the circle. The game encourages coordination and rhythm, as children must move and perform the actions in time with the music and lyrics of "John Kanaka."

Further activities within the book suggest variations of the game to maintain interest and challenge. One variation is to play the game in a canon, where the second group starts after a specific line in the song. Another involves using claves, where the children sit in a circle and tap out the rhythm of the song, dividing into two groups with each group playing to different phrases of the song. Additionally, there is a ball game version, where the centre child bounces or throws a ball in time with the music to the outer children, adding an extra layer of coordination and timing to the challenge. The aim is to maintain the rhythm and see how long the game can continue without mistakes, promoting teamwork and concentration among the children.