The Talk Box Manual, Part 1 of 5

Talk Box
Introduction
Oral Language is the foundation of all learning. Before children are able to read and
write, they need to be able to communicate effectively with adults and peers. Ollie the
Otter and Friends Talk Box Program manual contains stories, songs, and follow up
activities. The intended audience is Primary and Special Education teachers for use
with students in need of oral language development.
The manual is intended to be used during circle time with the whole class. The
gathering song and dance can be done at the beginning of each lesson to establish the
atmosphere of Ollie and his friends at the pond.
The Talk Box has been created to promote oral language development in primary and
special needs students. You can create your own Talk Box which could include the
following:
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Ollie the Otter and Friends Program Manual
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props (mirrors, surprise bags, microphones, telephones, magic wands, etc.)
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costumes (for character role playing, i.e., vest for Fredrick, tutu for Darci)
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puppets
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songs
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games
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wooden character pieces for sorting and story sequencing
Effective teaching practices address the range of learning modalities in all students.
Our Talk Box will provide teachers with ready-to-use hands-on materials and exemplary
ideas to enhance learning and motivate students. Engaging children’s literature plays
an integral role in language development, thus the Talk Box contains two stories based
on Ollie the Otter as the basis for its components. The Talk Box will assist teachers in
providing meaningful learning experiences which address the Ontario Curriculum
Expectations in the areas of Language and Personal and Social Development.
Acknowledgement
The Curriculum Services Canada Foundation provided financial support to the writers of
this resource through its Grants and Awards Program for Teachers.
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger
Dann and Chris Vader.
STORY AND DISCUSSION “OLLIE’S BIG MOVE”
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WHO LIVES WHERE?
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WHERE DO WE LIVE?
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WHO AM I?
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POND RACES
INTRODUCTIONS
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I AM A STAR AT...
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STORY AND DISCUSS “FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL”
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MY DAY
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MOVE LIKE
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MR. HERON
POND VISORS
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FINGER PUPPETS
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GATHERING SONG AND DANCE
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MOVEABLE OLLIE
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SLITHERING SABRINA
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DIANA DRAGONFLY
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PAPER PLATE FREDRICK
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STUFFED FILIP
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FILIP TOTE
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PAPER PLATE SABRINA
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SONGS
DARCI DUCK PUPPET
LEAPIN LILY PADS GAME
THE POND WINDOW
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(THE ARTS)
EXPERIMENT
WITH
TECHNIQUES AND
MATERIALS
(THE ARTS)
DEMONSTRATE
BASIC
KNOWLEDGE AND
SKILLS GAINED
THROUGH
EXPOSURE TO
AND ACTIVITIES
IN THE ARTS
(PERSONAL AND
SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT)
PERFORM TASKS
REQUIRING
BALANCE AND
COORDINATION
(PERSONAL AND
SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT)
IDENTIFY AND
USE SOCIAL
SKILLS
(PERSONAL AND
SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT)
DEMONSTRATE A
POSITIVE
ATTITUDE
TOWARDS
THEMSELVES AND
OTHERS
(LANGUAGE)
USE AND
RESPOND TO A
VARIETY OF
MEDIA
MATERIALS
(LANGUAGE)
MAKE SENSE OF
SIMPLE WRITTEN
MATERIALS
(LANGUAGE)
DEMONSTRATE
UNDERSTANDING
OF A VARIETY OF
MATERIALS
READ TO THEM
ACTIVITY
(LANGUAGE)
EXPECTATION
COMMUNICATE
EFFECTIVELY BY
LISTENING AND
SPEAKING
CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS
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© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1
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Ollie’s Gathering Song and Dance
Part 2 S Ollie’s Big Move
Activity instructions and songs
Story and Discussion Questions
Who Lives Where?
Where Do We Live?
Who Am I?
Pond Races
Introductions
I am a Star At....
Part 3 S First Day of School
Activity instructions and songs
Story and Discussion Questions
My Day
Move Like
Part 4 S Ollie and Friends Activities
Pond Visors
Finger Puppets
Darci Duck Puppet
Moveable Ollie
Slithering Sabrina
Diana Dragonfly
Paper Plate Fredrick
Stuffed Filip
Filip Tote
Paper Plate Sabrina
Leapin Lily Pad Game
The Pond Window
Colouring Book/Awards/Bookmarks
Clip Art
Part 5 S Assessment and Evaluation
Teacher Assessment
Self Assessment
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader
PART 1
Ollie’s Gathering Song and Dance
Ollie - All Rapped Up
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader
Ollie - The Gathering Song
Music Arrangement:
Lyrics:
Roger S. Dann
Randee Dann
Boulderhill Studios, Dandee Music 2001
Ollie Ollie all come along
(Hands tumbling inward, then motioning inward)
Gonna meet Ollie the Otter by the pond
(Wave one hand through the other hand, then both hands in swimming motion)
So gather up, come meet our friends
(Like gathering flowers into one hand, while looking at each other)
And you can sing along
(Hands cupped outward from mouth)
They’re just seven little critters
(Hold up seven fingers)
That try to get along
(Place arms on opposite shoulders, like a hug)
Verse:
We’ve Got our box
(Form a square with your hands, or point to the ‘Talk Box’)
We’ve got some games
(Rub hands together - like you cannot wait to play)
And books with friends, you’ll know by name.
(The sign for books opening up is two palms opening.)
We’ll learn and laugh, we’ll do some crafts
(Hands on waist, with a smile, then one finger traces a number eight)
And solve a problem or two.
(Now place finger to forehead)
So put on your mask, or act it out,
(Cup hands around face, then shrug shoulders in jest)
It’s completely up to you,
(Hands outward, like saying ‘oh well!’)
Ollie and the Gang, are here again,
(One hand waving through the other hand, then finger pointing down to the floor)
To help us work it through.
(Start to hold hands in you circle, walk in circle slowly for remainder of song!)
Ollie-The Gathering Song!
2001.
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader
Ollie, All Rapped Up
Music Arrangement: Roger S. Dann
Lyrics:
Randee Dann
Boulderhill Studios, Dandee Music 2001
(Begin the rap by standing in a circle, italics is the connected movement to raps)
Ollie is a critter that lives by the pond
(Motion hand like wave through water)
Thoughtful and caring, a friend to count on.
(Place hand over heart)
He’s happy but shy, a rather graceful young guy
(Stand up straight and proud and smile)
And he’s wearing his cap like it’s a castle in the sky.
(Place hand on and off head, as though lifting cap up and down)
Then there’s Diana who’s as pretty as can be
(Motion with thumb and pointer, mimicking a buzzing bee)
She’s a little dragonfly, and she’s sure not a bee.
She’s the most important thing to Ollie.
She’s the most important thing to Ollie.
(Hands cupped to mouth like telling a secret)
--CHORUS-We’re looking for some friends today
(Hold hands, walk slowly in the circle)
Singing our songs and moving our way
Ollie, oh Ollie
(Stop moving and cup hands to mouth, looking around for Ollie)
You and your friends, what are you up to now?
(Do sign for ‘friends’, then shrug shoulders with palms out for final question)
Hello Sabrina, ssslithering along
(Motion with hands like a snake)
Oh you’re up to no good when you’re sssinging that sssong!
(Point finger, like ‘naughty, naughty’)
I see your locket, and on it there’s a heart.
(Point to an area just below your neck)
Practice what you preach, we all know that you’re smart.
(Then point to your brain, nodding in a ‘yes’ fashion)
Quack, quack, quack quack,
(Hands under armpits, like a duck)
Darci thinks she knows what’s going on.
She’s the one who gets out of the pond.
She can fly real high
(Motion flight with arms)
It’s more than luck, but what’s with a ‘tutu’
on a duck?
(Wiggle bottom)
--CHORUS--
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader
Mr. Heron, you’re so smart.
(Motion to brain, nodding ’yes’)
You’ve got the knowledge, but Filip’s got the time
(Motion to watch in hand)
helping everyone, in the flip of a dime.
(Flick fingers in the air)
Oh Mr. Heron’s got his tailcoat,
(Hands at back to motion wearing a tailcoat)
Filip’s got his vest
(Hand across front to suggest a vest)
But getting along with others, is when we do our best.
(Look at each other with a SMILE)
Come on Fredrick Frog, now don’t be so content.
(Motion him to come)
People see your thinking as a lazy intent.
(Point finger to side of chin, like you’re thinking)
I know you’re friendly, stable and all that,
(Start to march your feet in place)
But get up and move, when you’re struttin’ that hat!
(Motion like removing a hat, on and off)
8 bar musical solo
--CHORUS--
© 2001 Gail Brant, Eileen Lucas, Laura Kearse, Sue Howard, Randee Dann, Roger Dann and Chris Vader