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St. Patrick’s Day music activities for “1-2-3 O’Leary”, an Irish and Scottish children’s game song. In this post I’m sharing ways to play the game using a variety of movement props. The song is easy to learn and makes a great St. Patrick’s Day music activity.
The word O’Leary is the Irish version. In Scotland the word was “aleerie”, meaning crooked leg.
You can check out the historical information on these 2 sites:
St. Patrick’s Day Music Class Activities using the Game Song “1-2-3 O’Leary” with a circle game, scarf Movement, Bean Bag adaptation and how to play with Balls and Movement.
These activities come as a FREE RESOURCE in the Sing Play Create Library.
It includes the games and activities as well as the audio files.
The song goes like this;
“1-2-3 O’Leary”
You can play the game easily with any grade. There are many ways to adapt playing it to different grade levels too.
In the free resource I share specific ways to adapt the game using scarves, balls, bean bags and stuffed animals.
The basic game is to bounce a ball on 1 2 3 and then bounce and pull the leg over the ball on the word “O’Leary.”
Here Megan Murphy does an excellent job teaching the game.
Here’s a suggested music lesson plan outline.
Details follow the outline with links to the activities!
Have students enter marching and dancing to Irish Music.
We have a Free Irish Playlist in the Resource Library! Be sure to check the files and get yours today.
SING PLAY CREATE IRISH INTSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRACKS PLAY LIST ON SPOTIFY
Teach 1-2-3 O’Leary Song (echo chant and sing)
Play one of the games appropriate for that grade level.
Listen to the story “How to Catch a Leprechaun” and play instruments or wave scarves.
Play a different O’Leary Game or do a different movement activity.
Read the St, Patrick’s Day facts or discuss facts about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
Here’s a very simple video you could use.
Sing the song one more time!
Students exit to Irish music.
There’s also a children’s action story book that would be wonderful to add in instruments on all of the rhythming words.
One, Two, Three O’Leary
by Malachy Doyle (Author)
If you like to read books to your Kindergarteners, then you might want to do one of the games and then read a book about St. Patrick’s Day to them.
St. Patrick’s Day – Irish Traditions and History for Children
Or the fun and creative story “How to Catch a Leprechaun”
By Adam Wallace, Andy Elkerton (illustrator)
In this book there are words in BOLD that the students could play an instrument sound every time they hear one of them.
Or use a scarf and have them pop it out on these words.
Have the students repeat the word and play the rhythm on their instrument.
Here’s a YouTube read aloud- super cute!
HOW TO CATCH A LEPRECHAUN READ ALOUD
THE LEPRECHAUN BEAT ACTION SONG
TWIRL AROUND SCARF MOVEMENT
ST. PATRICK’S DAY RHYTHM STICK PLAY ALONG
I love using these streamers for movement activities. Bear Paw Creek is known for it’s amazing movement props.
And a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt just for teachers.
I’m hoping that these St. Patrick’s Day lesson activities and the game song “1-2-3 O’Leary give you ideas for you music classes this March.
Don’t forget to get the FREE 123 O’LEARY GAME ACTIVITY!
Catch more St. Patrick’s Day Music Activities in this post!
ST. PATRICK’S DAY MUSIC AND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES
Let’s move and learn with music!
Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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