The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #174026 Message #4225035
Posted By: Jack Horntip
02-Jul-25 - 11:33 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Goin' on a Bear Hunt
Subject: RE: Origins: Goin' on a Bear Hunt
A Bear Hunt The leader says each line in a rhythmical manner. Children and leader repeat each line together, making the necessary motion
I want to go on a bear hunt (Children repeat each line.) All right! Let's go! (Slap thighs with hands.)
Oh, look! There's a brook. Can't go round it. (Make a "go round" motion with hand.) Can't go under it. (Make a "go under" motion with hand.) Can't go over it. (Make "go over" motion with hand.) Gotta go through it. All right! Let's go. (Make swimming motion.)
Oh, look! There's a bridge. Can't go round it. (Make "go round" motion with hand.) Can't go under it. (Make "go under" motion with hand.) Gotta go over it. All right! Let's go! (Thump chest with both hands as you go over bridge.)
Oh look! There's a swamp. Can't go round it. (Make "go round" motion with hand.) Can't go under it. (Make "go under" motion with hand.) Can't go over it. (Make "go over" motion with hand.) Gotta go through it. All right! Let's go! (Slide hands together.)
Oh look! There's a tree Can't go over it. (Make "go over" motion with hand.) Can't go under it. (Make "go under" motion with hand.) Gotta go up it. All right! Let's go! (Motion with both hands climing up and down tree.)
Oh look! There's a cave. Let's go see What's inside? All right! Let's go! (Tramp softly; lower voices on next lines.) Let's go softly. Let's go quietly.
Oh look! I see two big eyes. I see two big paws. I feel something like a fur coat. It looks like a bear. It feels like a bear. IT IS A BEAR! (Loudly) Let's go (Tramp fast with feet.) Up the tree. (Make fast motion up the tree.) Down the tree. (Make fast motion climbing down the tree.) Through the swamp. (Make fast motions, sliding hands.) Over the bridge. (Thump chest.) Swim the brook. (Make fast swimming motions.) Down the street. (Tramp fast.) Ooooooh! or Wheeeew! (When children have shown that they can exercise control, they can stamp their feet as well as slap their thighs as they tramp.0
VARIATION: At seasonal times, this may be a Witch Hunt, A Santa Claus Hunt, A Bunny Rabbit Hunt, and so forth. Use appropriate clues when you reach the cave.
1961. Play activities for the retarded child : how to help him grow and learn through music, games, handicraft, and other play activities by Bernice (Wells) Carlson. pp.60-62.