Number Song – “Jim and Rosie Went Out Walking”

Based on ideas by: Debbie Haren, Preschool Teacher

Objectives

Students will:

  • Practice counting from 1–10
  • Connect numbers to quantities
  • Build oral language and memory skills
  • Participate in a shared reading/song activity
  • Create pages for a collaborative class book

Materials

  • Large sheet of butcher paper (for whole-group singing chart)
  • Markers
  • Pictures of the animals/items from the song (printed, drawn, or cut from magazines)
  • Optional: construction paper, stapler, and blank paper for class book pages
  • Optional: number cards (1–10)

Lesson Plan

1. Introduce the Song

Write the song on a large sheet of butcher paper.
Add pictures next to each line to support early readers.

Explain that the song uses the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Sing it once through so children can hear the rhythm and repetition.

2. Sing and Count Together

As you sing each verse:

  • Point to the number
  • Count the animals/items together
  • Invite children to act out motions

Example motions:

  • Ten flowers dancing — sway arms
  • Nine rabbits hopping — small hops
  • Seven children chatting — pretend talking
  • Four flying kites — wave arms like kites
  • One duck quacking for tea — “quack-quack!” hands like a beak

This builds number understanding + movement + oral language.

3. The Song

Tune: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Jim and Rosie went out walking
and what did they see?

Ten flowers dancing
Nine rabbits hopping
Eight chickens hatching
Seven children chatting
Six squirrels scuttling
F I V E sailing boats
Four flying kites
Three brown cows
Two scarecrows
…and one duck quacking for tea!

4. Turn the Song Into a Class Book

This is the BEST extension — children LOVE revisiting their pages all year.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Give each child one page with a number at the top (1–10).
  2. Help them illustrate the correct number of animals or objects from the song.
  3. They can draw or glue pre-made picture cutouts.
  4. Encourage them to write or trace the number.
  5. Add dictation sentences such as:
    • “I drew six squirrels.”
    • “Nine rabbits are hopping.”
  6. Assemble all pages into a bound class book.

Display Ideas:

  • Keep in your classroom library
  • Add a laminated cover: “Our Number Song Book”
  • Let children take turns “reading” it aloud during circle time

5. Optional Math Extensions

  • Counting mats: place small counters on each page to match the quantities
  • Sequencing: put number cards from 1–10 in order as you sing
  • Compare numbers: “Which number has more?”
  • Pattern practice: clap a pattern for each new verse

Teacher Notes

Children love the musical rhythm and predictable structure of this song.
It supports:

  • Number sense
  • Auditory memory
  • Language development
  • Emergent reading
  • Group participation

This activity pairs perfectly with spring, farm, or walking-adventure themes.

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