O’Neill, Alexis.  (2002). The Recess Queen.  NY:  Scholastic.

Cole, Joanna.   (1989).  Anna Banana 101 Jump-Rope Rhymes.  NY: Beech Tree.

Musical Connection:  steady beat--singing rhymes while jumping rope

Reading / Writing Connection: creating lyrical jump rope rhymes with an anti-bullying message

Positive Character Traits & Values:  self-worth; friendship / belonging; loyalty; play; coordination / dexterity

“Mean Jean, the Recess Queen” ruled the school playground. She was the playground bully.  Nothing happened on the playground unless Mean Jean said so; until one day, a new kid named Katie Sue came to school. Teeny, tiny Katie Sue invited Mean Jean to jump rope and a new friendship emerged. “Mean Jean” became “Jeanie Beanie.”  Jean’s self-worth develops as she gains self-esteem and self-respect.

            Johanna Cole’s book of jump-rope rhymes provides the basis of this reading / writing / music activity.  Using several rhymes as models, students write their own jump rope rhymes focusing on anti-bullying messages.  These musically, lyrical rhymes may be jumped to during gym class or out on the playground.  The rhymes are fun and send a clear message to children!

            Here is a rhyme from Cole’s jump rope book:

“I’m a little Dutch girl

Dressed in blue

Here are the things

I like to do:

Salute to the captain,

Bow to the queen,

Turn my back

On the submarine.

I can do the tap dance,

I can do the split,

I can do the hokey pokey

Just like this.”

            Here is an example of an anti-bullying jump rope rhyme patterned from the above rhyme:

“I am a kid at the

Wilson School

Here are the things

That I will do:

Share my new soccer ball,

Take turns sliding down,

Make new friends

On the playground.

No bossing, pushing, shoving

No fighting or pulling hair,

Won’t you come and jump with me?

Let’s play fair.”

The following anti-bullying jump rope rhymes were written and published by Grade 2 students at Keshena Primary School, Menominee Indian School District in Keshena, Wisconsin:

“Teacher, Teacher, I am sorry.

Let me tell you my sad story.

I was mean

Just like Jean.

Now I can play

Like Katie Sue.”

and

“Cinderella dressed in white

Knew she had to be polite.

How many times did she say

Please and thank you?

One, two, three…..

Cinderella dressed in green

Knew she’d better not be mean.

How many times was she nice?

One, two, three….”