Marigold Seed
An extension of “Little Duck Egg”
by Tony Costa, UPK at ABC Head Start
This chant helps children remember that plants need light and water in order to grow. It also
helps with listening skills, as children must pay careful attention to the teacher’s words and
give the appropriate response that contains the rhyming word. Musically, children sing the C
scale upward on numbers at the end, while their bodies move from sitting to standing position.
Directions:
Turn out the room lights and have children curl into a ball as though they were a flower seed.
One teacher rhythmically chants the words below and another adult helps children respond
with words below. Repeat several times. Now turn on the lights (say “here comes the sun”)
and pretend to “water” the children or use a spray bottle to mist their hands. Now teacher
chants part two. Children give new response and then grow into a flower (rise until standing)
while singing the C scale on numbers or on the word “up.”
Part 1 - Teachers says:
Marigold seed, so quiet, so set,
Won't you come out ?
Children answer:
No, not yet!
(Repeat this question and answer several times.)
Part 2 - Then teacher says:
Marigold seed, so quiet, so still,
Won't you come out?
Children answer:
YES, I will! Up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up!
Marigold Seed
set
yet
still
will!
Up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up!
Or – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!