Five aliens in a flying saucer flew round the world one day They looked left and right and they didn't like the sight So one alien flew away.
Four aliens... three... two... one alien..
Number rhymes can inspire children to count and calculate. This rhyme has the added advantage that it can be linked to the popular children's book Here Come the Aliens! by Colin McNaughton (Walker Books).
Rhyme time Introduce the rhyme to the children and encourage them to observe the actions that accompany the words and try them out themselves.
* During the first verse, hold up one hand with five fingers 'wiggling'.
* When the aliens 'flew round the world', make a circular movement in the air.
* With the words 'left' and 'right', look in the appropriate direction.
* Shake the head vigorously on 'they didn't like the sight'.
* Each time that one alien 'flew away', fold down one finger until none are left.
Chant the rhyme again, with the children joining in all the actions. It is important to reinforce calculating as well as counting - 'if there were five aliens and three flew away, how many are left?'
Extension ideas
* Provide magnetic props of five aliens or spaceships on a magnetic board or wedge.
* Make a recording of children singing the rhyme for all to join in.
* Supply five aliens or astronauts and encourage children to design and make spaceships for them.
* Develop an 'outer space' small- world scene with a Tuffspot, metallic gravel and large boulders (see www.tts-group.co.uk for resources).