Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Trustworthiness
(Try singing to the tune of ABC or Twinkle, Twinkle)
T is for Trust,
(Make a T by crossing your fingers)
Means “You can count on ME”!
(Point to others, then self)
Me and my friend, Tommy,
(Point to self then with thumb point to “Imaginary” friend)
Are really trust-worth-y!
(Cross arms and nod head three times)
I follow through with what I say,
(“Walk your fingers” and cup hands to mouth)
Try to tell the truth every single day,
(Sweep hand from mouth out and count on fingers)
I obey the rules, with my friends I share,
(“Pledge hand to heart and sweep hands out and around)
And by helping my teacher, I show I care.
(“Pretend to pick up” and hug self and sweep arms out)
T is for Trust,
(Make a T by crossing your fingers)
Means “You can count on ME”!
(Point to others, then self)
Me and my friend, Tommy,
(Point to self then with thumb point to “Imaginary” friend)
Are really trust-worth-y!
(Cross arms and nod head three times)
Classroom song: To the tune of “London Bridge”
Honest people tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth
Honest people tell the truth.
I am honest!
Honest people never cheat …
Honest people never steal …
TRUSTWORTHY
(Chant)
Always do what’s right
Never lie or fight.
When you’re acting bad
Tommy is so sad.
(“Bingo” tune)
There was a turtle who was green and Tommy was his name - o
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
And Tommy was his name - o.
He wore a cap and a funny grin
And Tommy was his name - o.
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
And Tommy was his name - o
He was a loyal and trusted friend
And Tommy was his name - o.
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
T-O-M-M-Y
Tommy was his name - o.
(To the Tune of “Rockabye, Baby”)
Honesty is the right point of view.
(Point to eyes.)
Always be honest, say what is true.
(Hold up right hand with palm facing out.)
Telling a lie is not right to do,
(Wag fingers back and forth.)
So I’ll tell the truth, and hope
you will too.
(Point finger at self, then at others.)
Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Respect
(Try singing this to the chorus of “Jingle Bells”)
Respect is something that we show to others,
(Shake hands with each other)
Our friends, and teachers, and fathers, and mothers.
(thumbs up sign, hug self, rock baby with arms)
Together, while Rusty and Rita played,
(pretend to be playing with cars)
A respectful raccoon, Rusty made!
(circles around eyes like glasses-raccoon mask)
Just like Rusty, to others I’m kind,
(raccoon eyes, place hand on neighbor’s shoulder)
I talk about my problems, it eases my mind.
(put hands around mouth, sweep hand across forehead like “Whew!)
I use good manners, like please and thank you,
(point to self, praying hands, sign for thank you)
And hitting or hurting, I surely do NOT do!
(baseball “safe” sign and shake head simultaneously)
Respect is something that we show to others,
(shake hands with each other)
Our friends, and teachers, and fathers and mothers.
(thumbs up sign, hug self, rock baby with arms)
RESPECT
To the Tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
R - E - S - P - E - C - T,
(Count off seven fingers)
Treat the world as family.
(Hold arms above head in a circle.)
Be polite in every way,
(Hold hands together.)
What you do and what you say.
(Touch mouth.)
R - E - S - P - E - C - T,
(Count off seven fingers.)
Taking care of you and me.
(Hug self.)
Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Responsibility
Hop, Hop, one, two, three,
(hop 3 times)
Roy the Rabbit knew respons-ibil-ity.
(bunny ears with two fingers, pat own shoulder with both hands)
He planted, he watered, he watched both day and night,
(dig with shovel, water with can, squint to watch with hand over eyes)
And after all the work he did, the carrots grew alright!
(show muscles with right arm, bend down, then get taller)
Just like my friend, Roy, I always keep on trying,
(bunny with 2 fingers, with fists closed, shove arms down one at a time)
To do the very best I can at every little thing!
(make a #1 sign, with fists, build “tower”)
I do what I’m supposed to do, and my hand I sure will lend,
(point to self, shake neighbors hand)
To help the members of my family and every single friend!
(hug self, point to friends in class)
Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Fairness
(Try singing this to “Mary had a Little Lamb” or “This Old Man”)
Fran the Frog was drawing flies,
(Leap-pretend to draw/sketch)
When all of a sudden we hear her cries,
(act surprised-cup hand behind ear)
“Why did Freddy have to leave such a mess?”
(shake finger and questioning gesture)
This isn’t an example of… Fair-ness!
(shake head-crossing the arms)
I follow the rules and try to be fair,
(point to self-pat neighbor on shoulder)
With my friends and family, I also share,
(point to neighbor, hug self, and spread hands outward)
I listen to them and do not blame,
(cup hand behind ear-shake head and point finger)
Being fair is the name of the game!
(pat neighbor on shoulder and give high 5’s)
Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Caring
(Trying sing to the tune of Beverly Hillbillies)
I liked the story about Carrie the cat,
(point to self, put hands behind for ears)
About visiting her grandma and all of that.
(driving a car and spread hands)
Carrie showed she cared by planting a tree,
(hands behind head-pretend digging with a shovel)
She loved her family, just like me!
(hands over heart-point to self)
When I care, I am loving and kind,
(point to self, hands over heart)
I say “Please” and “Thank You”, my manners I mind.
(praying hands for please and sweep hand from chin outward)
I show I care by helping others,
(point to self, hands over heart)
Just a few of them are my fathers and mothers.
(count fingers-hug and rock arms)
(To the Tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
Kindness is a value full of fun.
(Hold up pointer finger on right hand)
Kindness is simple once you’ve begun.
(Snap fingers)
Who should you be kind to?
(Shrug shoulders)
Everyone!
(Raise hands)
And you can show them how it’s done.
(Point finger at children)
Critter Fingerplays about Character
Composed by: Jan Maples, Okfuskee Co. Extension Educator FCS/4-H & Youth
Note from the Author: These rhymes can be utilized as fingerplays, raps, and even songs.
I have left space to make notes for movements under each line if you want to use as a fingerplay. On some rhymes, I
have mentioned tunes to which they can be sung. Please let us know if you have other tunes, movements, etc. we can
add to these rhymes.
Citizenship
(Try singing to the tune of “On Top of Old Smoky”)
Cindy the Crab was a good ci-ti-zen,
(wiggle fingers like a crab, hand on your heart)
She listened to her teacher and the po-lice-men.
(hand behind ear-tip your hat)
Just like Cindy, I keep my world clean,
(wiggle fingers, pick up trash or sweeping motion)
I like my environment to be nice and green!
(move arms like world, open hands beside face smiling)
I follow the rules of my home and my town,
(march in a straight line, shape arms like a housetop)
I know who to talk to and who to turn down.
(thumbs up sign, thumbs down sign)
I take care of my city and obey traffic laws,
(shape arms like a box, salute like a soldier)
If asked to help a neighbor, I surely don’t pause.
(shake your neighbors hand)
Good Citizen Song
(tune of “We Love You Dearly”)
We are good citizens,
You know it’s true.
We are good citizens,
In all we do,
We are good citizens,
Oh, yes it’s true,
Good citizens in all we do
CITIZENSHIP
Red Light
Red light, re light,
What do you say?
“I say, STOP and STOP right away.”
Yellow light, yellow light,
What do you mean?
"I mean WAIT until the light turns green."
Green light, green light,
What do you say?
"I say GO but first look both ways."
Thank you, thank you,
Red, yellow, green
Now I know what traffic lights mean.
(From Circle Time Activities for Children)
Look Both Ways
Step on the corner.
Watch for the light.
Look to the left.
Look to the right.
If nothing is coming
Then start and don't talk
Go straight across
Be careful and walk.