This song is available on Hap Palmer's Can Cockatoos Count by Twos?
Objectives:
· Learn numbers 0 - 9
· Recognize one to one correspondence between patterns of sounds and numbers.
Activity:
In each verse, count the sounds that keep Betty awake. For example, in the first verse count how many
times the puppy barks. Next, count out loud as numbers are sung in order. Raise your hand when you get to
the number of barks you counted. At the end of the song, we will add all the different noises and find the
total number of sounds that kept Betty awake.
Lyrics:
Betty Beep could not sleep
Her mother said, "Try counting sheep"
The lights went out, she lay back down
Then heard her puppy's barking sound
woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!
She counted barks instead of sheep
The noises never let her sleep
There were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 barks
She flopped back down, tossed around
Then heard her cat's mee-ow-ing sound
mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow
She counted mee-ows instead of sheep
The noises never let her sleep
There were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mee-ows
She flopped back down, tossed around
To baby sister's crying sound waah, waah, waah,
She counted cries instead of sheep
The noises never let her sleep
There were 1, 2, 3 cries
She flopped back down, tossed around
Then heard a trucker's honking sound
beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep
She counted beeps instead of sheep
The noises never let her sleep
There were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 beeps
She flopped back down, tossed around
Next came grandpa's snoring sound
snore, snore, snore, snore, snore, snore,
She counted snores instead of sheep
The noises never let her sleep
There were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 snores
And Betty screamed,
"Seven, plus five, plus three, plus eight, plus six!
I've heard twenty-nine noises now
I need to sleep but I don't know how."
Daddy said, "Here's just the thing."
And he began to softly sing:
Twenty-nine bunnies go bouncin' along
Twenty-nine bunnies bounce
If one of those bunnies should snuggle in bed
Twenty-eight bunnies go bouncin' along
(Similarly.....)
Twenty-eight bunnies go bouncin' along.....
Twenty-seven bunnies go bouncin' along.....
(Counter melody)
Betty's eyelids gently fell as daddy sang this song
The story's done but if you like,
The song goes on and on.....
Twenty-six bunnies go bouncin' along.....
(Continue pattern as long as desired)
Follow Up:
Make up your own questions. For example: How many times do you eat each day? How many times would
you guess you breathe in a minute?.....your heart beats in 10 seconds?
Variation:
Sit facing a partner and say your answers to each other or hold up the correct number of fingers to answer
each question. (These activities require no materials, and can be done in a fixed seat setting.)
Book or Product Suggestions for this Song:
See more of our Math and Movement Song Lyrics
Many thanks to Hap Palmer for permission to display these lyrics.
©Hap-Pal Music. All rights reserved.
