An informal poll by the website Zero to Three revealed Eensey Weensey Spider (or Itsy Bitsy Spider) to be the most popular children’s song in America, overwhelmingly so. It has a great melody, and children love the fingerplay.

However, for some young children and second language learners, the combination of singing and doing the fingerplay can be a little intimidating. So, in our version, we slowly talk through the song one time before singing. This allows children (and parents) to clearly hear and understand the words and practice making their spiders!

Language focus: English rhythm and intonation, up and down, rain and sun.

Classroom benefits: Eensey Weensey Spider is great for capturing students' attention, developing manual dexterity, and instilling a sense of "try, try again!" in young learners.

Preparation: Some toddlers may become frustrated when they can’t make the spider gesture with their fingers, so make sure that you take your time with this song. Before actually singing, sit down to talk about spiders. If you have a stuffed animal spider, or toy spider, sing the song for your kids once using the spider as a prop. Or, read an “Itsy Bitsy Spider” picture book first.

Then say, “Can you make a spider with your fingers?” Show them how to put their thumb and forefinger together and walk their fingers up. Put the tip of your index finger on the right hand on the tip of your thumb on the left hand…walk your fingers up…putting the index finger of your left hand on the thumb of your right hand. Don’t worry about exactly how you put your fingers together. Younger kids without the dexterity to do this yet can just twist their hands next to each other.

Next, try it while listening to the Eensey Weensey Spider. Have the kids gather around you in a circle.


Lyrics and actions:

The eensey weensey spider went up the water spout. (Walk your fingers up.)
Down came the rain and washed the spider out. (Flutter your fingers down, simulating rain, and then sweep your hands out.)
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. (Make a circle over your head with your arm, simulating the sun.)
Then the eensey weensey spider went up the spout again. (Walk your fingers up.)

Okay…put your fingers together.
Let’s do the Eensey Weensey Spider.

The eensey weensey spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
Then the eensey weensey spider went up the spout again.

A little faster now.

The eensey weensey spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
Then the eensey weensey spider went up the spout again.

Now let’s try it slow, with a low voice.
The big, big spider. (Do the same actions this time, but with BIG gestures. Put your hands far apart.)

The big, big spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
Then the big, big spider went up the spout again.

.......................................................................................................................................................
Worksheets

make a spider (download pdf)	count the spiders (download pdf)

Want to share a teaching tip, activity or video? Contact us here!