Instrumental Activity Book - John Kanaka

The 'Instrumental Activity Book' presents a lively and engaging musical game set to the tune of "John Kanaka," a traditional sea shanty. This activity is designed for a group of children, ideally an even number, who form two concentric circles facing each other. The outer circle remains stationary, while the inner circle moves to the right upon instruction. The game starts by teaching the children to change partners smoothly, shaking hands with the person opposite them before moving on a given cue. The song's lyrics and rhythm guide the actions, which include do-si-do with their partner, stamping, tapping knees, clapping hands, and waving goodbye as they transition between partners. The game is accompanied by specific actions for each line of the song, creating an interactive and enjoyable experience that can be continued for as long as desired.

Additionally, the activity book suggests various musical exercises to enrich the children's experience. One such activity involves using claves, wooden percussion instruments, where the class is divided into two groups. Each group alternates between tapping the claves on the floor or against each other in sync with different phrases of the song. Another exercise encourages the use of 'thinking voices' with claves, promoting internal rhythm and musical understanding. A further challenge for the children is to maintain the song's pulse with one hand while tapping out the rhythm with the other, which can be done on their knees or on drums. These activities not only enhance the children's sense of rhythm and coordination but also their ability to listen and respond to music in a group setting.