To introduce this popular song to my class of 5-6 year olds I made a simple felt board out of an old cardboard box, covered and taped it with a black flannel blanket.
To make the monkeys, mummy and doctor I downloaded some materials and laminated them. It is a good idea to laminate and protect the characters and stick double sided tape to the back so they can be attached and removed easily from the felt board.
At the end of the lesson I distribute some paper monkey finger puppets or masks which the children colour, cut out and use to sing the song again during the next lesson.
Children enjoy making their own finger puppets and it is a great way to involve and engage them in reviewing numbers and new vocabulary.
As an alternative – encourage children to interpret and re-enact the song using monkey masks and simple costumes for the Mummy and Doctor characters. Bring to class some props for example toy telephones for the children to use.
*Five little monkeys jumping on the bed (hold up 5 finger puppets)
One fell off and bumped his head (make one finger puppet roll down to the floor and tap your head with your fist)
Mummy called the doctor, (hold up finger and thumb to your mouth and ear miming a telephone)
And the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed (wag your index finger from left to write to indicate no)
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy called the doctor
And the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy called the doctor
And the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy called the doctor
And the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed
One little monkey jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy called the doctor
And the doctor said,
Put those monkeys right to bed
*Sing along to 5 Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed from Super Simple Songs
Happy teaching!
Miranda
ESL Drama Games 