Korean Job Discussion Forums

Morgen · Joined: 02 Jul 2008

So I put the Hokey Pokey on my plan for summer camp for 5th grade elementary without thinking too much about it, but the more I try to work out the details the more I think it might bomb. The fact that I can only find videos of it with five-year-olds or people with pillow masks on their heads seems telling. I know that Korean kids tend to like things that we associate with much younger age groups in the West, but "shaking it all about" seems only slightly more dignified than the Chicken Dance and I'm not sure they'll be into it. Has anyone had any success/failure with this age group? Or have a good link for a video or copy of the song? What body-related song can I use instead?

andrewchon · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:03 pm Post subject: hokey pokey

Cullen's ABC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDd89tX7M1s
does a dinosaur hokey pokey

Burndog · Joined: 17 Feb 2008

andrewchon · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

Oh C'mon, be nice. At least she saves me the pain of doing it myself. I've promised my 2nd graders I'd never do it again. Well, I won't but she will!

As for grade 5: I've got them to sing but never dance. I've tried but only succeeded in poking each other in the eye.

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Burndog · Joined: 17 Feb 2008

andrewchon · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:21 am Post subject:

I can't understand the negative reaction to Cullen's. Can you explain what's bad about her? As for icnelly's vs Cullen's: my illiterate 5th graders would not respond to static photo and unreadable (still learning phonics) lyrics. With Cullen's at least there are movements for them to imitate.
If Cullen's was used as intro to hokey pokey, then it'll be bad. it was suggested for use after Morgen had gotten 'lame-o!' from conventional video of 5 year olds. Then hit them with "check this one out then".

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

The day I teach the "hokey pokey" might be the day I finally commit suicide.

Elvis Gratton · Joined: 12 Jul 2009

As long as you sing and dance out the moves for them first they should think it's really cool. Since there's a void of good vids, why don't you get a student to videotape you, and then you can put it up on youtube?

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

Insulting the intelligence of 5th graders is unpossible. The is nothing to insult.

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Did the hokey pokey with some 5s during winter camp, they loved it... Bright colours and lots of action... What's not to like? lol

ESL Milk "Everyday · Joined: 12 Sep 2007

Whoa... I don't know what everyone else's grade fives are like, but I seriously can't see mine getting into doing the hokey pokey. You do know this is for kindergarten students in the west?

It might suit their English level, and I think they might go along with it, but there's a good chance they will think it's extremely stupid. Keep in mind that this is the age where things like cell phones, haircuts, style, and popularity start becoming very important.

If there's still time, there are plenty of pop songs that they will no doubt enjoy... and you can always get them to design their own dance routines for them-- the girls especially seem to like that kind of thing a lot.

There are heaps of Beatles songs with simple words that are great to adapt... and if you want to be adventurous, there are a lot of 60s/70s pop songs that have simple, often wholesome lyrics that everyone can enjoy.

Something like 'Sugar Sugar' by the Archies might work a bit better...

Burndog · Joined: 17 Feb 2008

poet13 · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:09 am Post subject: Re: hokey pokey