--- title: Teach Food Concepts Using Music | Extended Notes description: Using songs to teach children boosts their memories and keeps their brains alert, optimizing their learning potential. image: https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_287709281_(1)__800x400-1.jpg --- # Teach Food Concepts Using Music: The Universal Language June 9 - [Home](https://www.extendednotes.com/) - [Articles](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog) - Teach Food Concepts Using Music: The Universal Language Share this Post [mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-activities/teach-food-concepts-using-music-the-universal-language](mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-activities/teach-food-concepts-using-music-the-universal-language) [Cooking ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/cooking) [Music ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/music) ![Shutterstock 287709281 (1)](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_287709281_(1)__800x400-1.jpg) Many things vary between people of different cultures and ages, but one thing that doesn't vary is music. Not only do children love to sing and make music, but teachers and adults do as well! Using songs to teach children boosts their memories and keeps their brains alert, optimizing their learning potential.   [*Fabulous Food: 25 Songs and Over 300 Activities for Young Children*](https://shop.gryphonhouse.com/products/fabulous-food?variant=47751132840228) (now sold via Gryphon House) by Pam Schiller uses songs and activities to teach typical early childhood themes related to food, such as growing things, nutrition, farms, and health and safety. Every song is accompanied by a list of “Did You Know?” facts that offer background information about the song, interesting facts about the topics or lyrics, historical information, or trivia you can use for discussion time. The activities also include modifications for children with special needs and English language learners.   As summer sets in, try this song and these activities from [*Fabulous Food*](https://shop.gryphonhouse.com/products/fabulous-food?variant=47751132840228)* *to excite children for the long days and delicious treats ahead!    ### **The Watermelon Song**   **Theme Connections**   - Growing things - Nutrition **Song** *Just put a watermelon* *Right over your head,* *And let the juice* *(Slurp) slip through.* *Just put a watermelon* *Right over your head,* *That’s all I ask of you.* *Now Southern fried chicken* *Might taste mighty fine,* *But nothin’ tastes better* *Than a watermelon rind.* *So, put a watermelon* *Right over your head,* *And let the juice* *(Slurp) slip through!* ### **Did You Know?**   - Watermelon is grown in more than 96 countries worldwide, and more than 1,200 varieties are grown worldwide. - In China and Japan, watermelon is a popular gift to bring to a host. In Israel and Egypt, the sweet taste of watermelon is often paired with the salty taste of feta cheese. - Watermelon is 92% water. - Watermelon is a vegetable! It is related to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. - By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the United States, followed by cantaloupe and honeydew. In 2001 over 4 billion pounds of watermelon were produced in the United States. - Early explorers used watermelons as canteens. - In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, Tennessee, grew a watermelon that weighed 262 pounds! - Watermelon is an ideal health food because it does not contain any fat or cholesterol. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, and C, and contains fiber and potassium. #### **Literacy Links** ***Comprehension*** - Invite the children to use *watermelon *in a sentence. ***Oral Language*** - Print *watermelon* on chart paper. Draw a line between *water* and *melon*. Point out that the word watermelon is made up of two words—*water *and *melon*. Tell the children that when a word is made up of two words, it is called a *compound *word. Provide examples of other compound words, such as *milkshake*, *baseball*, and *doghouse*. ***Phonological Awareness*** - Discuss *slurp*. Explain that it is a word that sounds like the sound it is describing. It is an *onomatopoeic* word. *What other words might we use to describe sipping watermelon juice?* ***Segmentation*** - Have the children clap the syllables in *watermelon*. Challenge them to think of a vegetable that has three syllables, such as *potato*, *cucumber*, or *broccoli*. #### **Curriculum Connections** ***Art*** - Cut easel paper into ovals. Provide pink, light green, and dark green paint, and invite the children to paint watermelons. ***Discovery*** - Provide round objects, such as balls, marbles, candies, and peas along with oval-shaped objects, such as: plastic eggs, lemons, candies, and beans. Invite the children to sort the shapes. ***Fine Motor*** - Cut hot pink (or dark pink) sponges into cubes. Provide the sponge cubes and tongs. Invite the children to move the sponges from one dish to another using the tongs. ***Gross Motor*** - Give the children watermelon seeds and plastic cups. Have them stand about three feet away from the cup and toss their seeds into it. - Wad up green bulletin board paper to create watermelons. Place them on the floor, with each bulletin board watermelon as an obstacle. Have the children make their way through the maze of watermelons by jumping over them. ***Language*** - Print *watermelon *on 4’’ by 12’’ strips of poster board, leaving a small space between *water *and *melon*. Add picture clues under each word; for example, a cup of water under *water *and a melon under *melon*. Laminate each strip, and then make puzzle cuts between the words *water *and *melon*. Invite the children to put the words back together. ***Math*** - Make watermelon slices by cutting hot pink construction paper into ovals and then cutting the ovals in half. Cut a sheet of green construction paper and use it to create a rind around one edge of the oval. Print one numeral 1–10 on each watermelon slice. Provide tweezers and watermelon seeds. Encourage children to use the tweezers to place the correct number of seeds on each slice to match the numeral. ***Science*** - Plant watermelon seeds. They are easy to grow if you have rich soil and a warm climate. ***Snack*** - Serve watermelon during snack time. Discuss the parts of the watermelon, such as the rind, the fruit (flesh), and the seeds. #### Article Categories ![afterschool advocacy icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/afterschool%20advocacy%20icon.svg) After School Advocacy ![bullying safety icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/bullying%20safety%20icon.svg) Bullying and Safety ![leadership icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/leadership%20icon.svg) Leadership & Professional Development ![parental engagement icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/parental%20engagement%20icon.svg) Parental Engagement ![physical activity icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/physical%20activity%20icon.svg) Physical Activity ![program development icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/program%20development%20icon.svg) Program Development ![social emotional learning icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/social%20emotional%20learning%20icon.svg) Social-Emotional Learning ![stem icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/stem%20icon.svg) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) ![teaching strategies icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/teaching%20strategies%20icon.svg) Teaching Strategies ![extended notes fb page banner](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png?width=342&height=130&name=extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png) [Follow Page ](https://www.facebook.com/385747254841303?ref=embed_page) ![ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge Base-01](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg) ExtendED Notes 974 followers Connect with us to get the latest Articles & Insights. ## Related Articles ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/listening_main__800x400-2__800x400.jpg?width=352&name=listening_main__800x400-2__800x400.jpg) #### Activity: Identifying Sounds to Practice Active Listening Active listening boosts students' academic success and strengthens their personal connections... 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