Vocabulary Words
- Below is a list of the foods mentioned in the song, along with the countries or regions which these foods may be associated with.
Italy - cappellini, fettucini, ravioli, lasagna.
France – escargot.
Louisiana – jambalaya, gumbo.
Japan – teriyaki, sushi, rumaki
Scandinavia– herring.
England – kippers, crumpets, Sally Lunn.
Mexico – guacamole, taco, enchilada, papaya.
China – bok choy, egg rolls, won ton, chow mein, moo goo gai pan, crab rangoon.
Israel– kreplach
Greece – gyros, baklava.
India – curry.
Hawaii – poi.
U.S. – french fries,
Germany – bratwurst, sauerkraut, sauerbraten, Weiner schnitzel, pretzels.
Spain – ceviche
Discussion Questions
- Which of these foods have you eaten? Which of these foods are new to you? How could we find out how to make these foods? Which of these foods would you like to try?
Physical
- Let the children clap their hands to the music and dance freely.
- If you’d like to learn a basic polka step to show or teach the children, there are many videos available online. Try searching Web sites like YouTube or Google Videos.
Cognitive
- Introduce children to some of the foods mentioned in the song. Go on a supermarket tour, display pictures of the foods, prepare a dish in class, bring in a dish to try (like baklava from a local bakery), or invite families to prepare one of these foods at home to share with the class. Encourage children to taste new foods.
Musical Listening
- The Polka is a Scandinavian dance first introduced into the ballrooms of France and England in 1843. The word polka, is from the bohemian word pulka, which means half, referring to the little half step that is characteristic of this dance. To understand the rhythm of the polka, think of the children’s rhyme, "Hippety hop, to the barber shop, to buy a stick of candy." The four counts of that little "hippety-hop" describe the feel of the basic step.
- Play other polka music so that children can hear a similar rhythm.
- Yodeling is typical in polka music. Invite children to try yodeling.
