Language focus: Farm animals (cow, horse, pig, sheep, duck, rooster) and the sounds they make.

Classroom benefits: Great song for practicing rhythm. The Learn It version is perfect for even very young learners.

Before singing the song, learn the gestures for the farmer and each of the animals. Use pictures or stuffed animals to introduce the animals. As you introduce each animal, teach the gesture for that animal. Have the children do the gesture and say the animal's name at the same time.

Farmer - Pretend to hold on to your overall straps.

Cow - Make cow horns by placing your thumbs on the top of your forehead, and then extending your pinky fingers up and out.

Horse - Use your hands to mimic a horse's two front legs when running.

Pig - Push your nose up with one finger.

Sheep - Pretend like you are squeezing something soft.

Duck - Make a duck's bill in front of your mouth with your hand.

Rooster - Place one thumb on the top middle of your forehead and wiggle all your fingers.

Lyrics and actions:

What does a COW say? (Make the cow gesture.) Moo! (Everybody says, "Moo!" while making the cow gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O. (Make the farmer gesture.)
And on that farm he had a COW. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a cow gesture.)
With a moo moo here. (Continue making the cow gesture and "moo" to the left.) A moo moo there. ("Moo" to the right.)
Here a moo. (Moo to the left.) There a moo. ("Moo" to the right.) Everywhere a moo moo. ("Moo" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O. (Make the farmer gesture.)

What does a HORSE say? (Make a horse gesture.) Neigh, neigh. (Everybody says, "Neigh" while making the horse gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a HORSE. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a horse gesture.)
With a neigh neigh here. (Continue making the horse gesture and "neigh" to the left.) A neigh neigh there. ("Neigh" to the right.)
Here a neigh. ("Neigh" to the left.) There a neigh. ("Neigh" to the right.) Everywhere a neigh neigh. ("Neigh" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

What does a PIG say? (Make a pig gesture.) Oink, oink. (Everybody says, "Oink" while making the pig gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a PIG. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a pig gesture.)
With an oink oink here. (Continue making the pig gesture and "oink" to the left.) An oink oink there. ("Oink" to the right.)
Here an oink. ("Oink" to the left.) There an oink. ("Oink" to the right.) Everywhere an oink oink. ("Oink" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

What does a SHEEP say? (Make a sheep gesture.) Baaa, baaa. (Everybody says, "Baaa" while making the sheep gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a SHEEP. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a sheep gesture.)
With a baaa baaa here. (Continue making the sheep gesture and "baaa" to the left.) A baaa baaa there. ("Baaa" to the right.)
Here a baaa. ("Baaa" to the left.) There a baaa. ("Baaa" to the right.) Everywhere a baaa baaa. ("Baaa" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

What does a DUCK say? (Make a duck gesture.) Quack, quack. (Everybody says, "Quack" while making the duck gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a DUCK. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a duck gesture.)
With a quack quack here. (Continue making the duck gesture and "quack" to the left.) A quack quack there. ("Quack" to the right.)
Here a quack. ("Quack" to the left.) There a quack. ("Quack" to the right.) Everywhere a quack quack. ("Quack" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

What does a ROOSTER say? (Make a rooster gesture.) Cock-a-doodle-doo! (Everybody says, "Cock-a-doodle-doo" while making the rooster gesture.)

Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a ROOSTER. E-I-E-I-O. (Make a rooster gesture.)
With a cock-a-doodle-doo. (Continue making the rooster gesture and "cock-a-doodle-doo" to the left.) Cock-a-doodle-doo. ("Cock-a-doodle-doo" to the right.)
Cock-a-doodle-doodle-doodle-doodle-doodle-doo.("Cock-a-doodle-do" as you move your head in a circular motion.)
Old McDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.


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