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Under, on, in - Where is Mr Monkey?

Target Language: Where is...? near, next to, in front of, behind, under, on, in
Target Grade: Kindergarten to Junior High 1

Click the pictures, hear them talk!
To save you time, you can buy these cards in the Picture Card Pack

This song is a little different in that unlike the other songs on CD5, which were written from requests from kids, this came from requests from teachers for a fun way to teach words such as under, on, in, etc..

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Bonus Materials...


A4 Flashcards
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Mini Cards
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Box Version


Dragon Version


Worksheet


Progress Sheet /
Classroom Poster

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Printable
Lesson Plan

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English


Japanese
(give to class teacher)

Dice Game
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Islands Game
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Owners Club Members can click on the pictures above to print them out

"Where is Mr Monkey?"
by Richard Graham

Where is Mr Monkey?
Where is Mr Monkey?
Where is Mr Monkey?
Where is Mr Monkey?

Is he near the box?
(Is he near the box?)
Is he next to the box?
(Is he next to the box?)
Is he in front on the box?
(Is he in front of the box?)
Is he behind the box?
Is he ( behind the box?)

( Repeat Chorus )


Is he under the box?
(Is he under the box?)
Is he on the box?
(Is he on the box?)
Is he in the box?
(Is he in the box?)

Yes, I am!

( Repeat Chorus )



Always wanting to help people out, here you go!

First of all, go through the song acapella ( just singing, no music). The best thing is to have a real cardboard box and move the Mr Monkey picture card around the box as you introduce the words.
When the kids sing their repeat lines they actually move to be in the correct position relative to their desks. This makes it easier to remember as they physically move whilst singing the words. You might need to explicitly explain the difference between "near" and "next in" (i.e. in Japanese it's "chi ka ku ni" and " to na ri ni"). In Japan getting the kids to go "on" their desks might not always be suitable ( as they eat their lunch of them!), so for "on" get them to stand on their chairs.

In the chorus section, everyone looks around like they are searching for Mr Monkey.

Now this is all very straightforward, and not exactly very genki, you may be thinking. And you'd be right! The fun bit comes when you've gone through the "box" version of the song, as CD5 also has a "Dragon Remix"!! This time you pull out a dragon picture card, and although the kids still do the moves in relation to their desks, you use the dragon card. And of course the fun bit comes as you build up to the "Is he IN the dragon!". Cue lots of laughter, and a fantastic final chorus!!

If any kids start crying when they hear this ( it can happen!!), get them to play the video game on the CD ( especially if you can get a projector and laptop in the class), as here your job is to answer the questions and rescue Mr Monkey from the Dragon's stomach!! Or in the classroom you can try the "Banana Tree Game", but instead of climbing a tree, Mr Monkey has to climb out of the Dragon's stomach!

It is important, however, to do the box version first, as otherwise kids can have problems with the word order. For this reason it's always a good idea for the teacher to use full sentences when describing the words e.g. "He's under the dragon" rather than just "under".



Recommend Games:

The best game to do is to use the CD's computer game to save Mr Monkey. This really creates a whole new atmosphere in class.

But if you don't have a computer available ( you can always set it as homework), use the Banana Tree Game i.e. draw pictures of the dragon's neck ( like in the computer game on the CD) and have the monkeys pop out. For questions do something really simply like show one of the flashcards and say "Where is Mr Monkey?"

Then the kids should be ready to try the main Under, on, in game. You could try this game straight away, but saving Mr Monkey seems to bond the class together!

For a future review in the gym, try the Assault Course Game



Worksheets:
The kids shout out "Where are you?". The teacher chooses an animal and replies by saying "I'm under, next to" etc. another animal. e.g. for the penguin they would say they are next to Mr Monkey! The kids shout out "You're a " + the name of the correct animal! Working in teams is good.


The "Where is Mr Monkey?"  songs can be found on CD vol. 5 !




Readers' Comments
by Roger in Imakane

These are simple listening worksheets.. It's a good idea to get the higher kids to make some sentences too.


Betting on the Monkey Game

( Note: This game uses play money and the mini cards above)

After teaching and then singing the song...

1. Make 4 groups (according to the number of kids)
2. Give each group a set of mini cards and some money (eg 10 $1 notes)
3. Rock, Paper, Scissors to start
4. The teacher chooses a card from their set and the kids have to guess or bet where the monkey is!
5. Each round one more $1 is put in the kitty until it is guessed. Winner takes all.
6. Make sure they practice the new grammar during the game.
eg The teacher says "Where is Mr Monkey?"
the 1st player guesses ...."He is in the box"
The teacher then replies, "no sorry" and continue (if wrong) or "yes good job!" and start again (if correct)
Lots of fun and very easy!

by Roger in Imakane



Act the Monkey Game

Everyone stands up. Tell the kids they are monkeys
Act out the preposition while they are listening and repeating ("Where is Mr Monkey ... he is in the box")
First. make an outline of an imaginary box with your hands and act out each preposition in turn.
e.g. for "IN" ... you and the kids are monkeys and each person acts out entering the imaginary box a lot of fun!
You can test the kids after a few times

by Roger in Imakane




Readers' Comments
by Brad Mylrea

  Cheers for the wonderful idea, Roger!

The students have loved this game and I think it is now my new favorite game...I say that because of how effective I feel you can be in getting so much practice with not so easy target phrases in such a fun way!






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