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Fall Fingerplays
Witch, Old Witch
(count off the five fingers, as in "This Little Piggy")

Witch, old witch, how do you fly? 
     On a broomstick going by. 

Witch, old witch, what do you wear? 
     Black old clothes and uncombed hair. 

Witch, old witch, what do you eat? 
     Little green bugs and pickled pig's feet. 

Witch, old witch, what do you drink? 
     Apple cider vinegar and midnight ink. 

Witch, old witch, do you live in a house? 
     I live in a haystack, with a little mouse. 

— Gloria T. Delamar, Author 
— from Children's Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope and Bounce-Ball Chants and Other Rhythms (McFarland Pub. 1983, 2006) by Gloria T. Delamar 
Mr. Pumpkin
(follow directions, as given after the verse

Old Mr. Pumpkin 
Hiding in a box. 
Take off the top, 
And out he pops. 

Lines 1 & 2: make fist of right hand (thumb inside fist) and cover fist with left hand.
Line 3: remove left had to indicate removing top
Line 4: pop right thumb up from fist.

— Author Unknown
— from Children's Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope and Bounce-Ball Chants and Other Rhythms (McFarland Pub. 1983, 2006) by Gloria T. Delamar
rotating pumpkin

 

Five Little Turkeys
(five-finger-play

Five little turkeys standing in a row: 
     First little turkey said, "I don't want to grow." 
     Second little turkey said, "Why do you say that?" 
     Third little turkey said, "I want to get fat." 
     Fourth little turkey said, "Thanksgiving is near." 
     Fifth little turkey said, "Yes, that's what I hear." 
Then the five little turkeys that were standing in a row, 
All said together, "Come on, let's GO!" 

Lines 1 through 6: count-off on five fingers. 
Lines 7 & 8: scuttle the fingers away as though the turkeys are running. 

(You can also adapt this to Christmas.
— Author Unknown 
— from Children's Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope and Bounce-Ball Chants and Other Rhythms (McFarland Pub. 1983, 2006) by Gloria T. Delamar 
Five Little Pilgrims
(five-finger-play

Five little Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day: 
     The first one said, "I"ll have cake if I may." 
     The second one said, "I'll have turkey roasted." 
     The third one said, "I'll have chestnuts toasted." 
     The fourth one said, "I'll have pumpkin pie." 
     The fifth one said, "Oh, cranberries I spy." 
But before the Pilgrims ate their turkey dressing, 
They bowed their heads and said a Thanksgiving blessing." 

Line 1: hold up hand 
Lines 2-6: count-off on five fingers. 
Lines 7 & 8: fold down all fingers, representing the Pilgrims with their heads bowed. 
 

— Author Unknown 
— from Children's Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope and Bounce-Ball Chants and Other Rhythms (McFarland Pub. 1983, 2006) by Gloria T. Delamar 

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