Porcupine in Pointy Shoes: Action Rhyme
Ms. Christina shares a rhyme for random picking and choosing. Use instead of “Eeny Meeny Miny Mo!”
Lyrics:
Porcupine in pointy shoes
Which one will my pointer choose?
Pointer, pointer, stick like glue
The one my pointer picks is YOU!
Note:
I wrote this rhyme to offer people an alternative to “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe,” whose origins and history in the United States are problematic. For more information, search the document, Songs with a Questionable Past, compiled by Lauren McDougle.
Skills and benefits:
vocabulary, phonological awareness, rhythm of language, problem-solving.
Origins:
Lyrics and tune by Ms. Christina.
I really appreciate this alternative! I’ve taught it to my 6 year old daughter. <3
When I started first grade in DC in 1937, my siblings and I came home from school chanting the eeny meeny with n—- version. My parents immediately put a stop to that,and thereafter we used “monkey.” Lesson learned.
Kia ora Juanita
I’ve done similar things in the past (5 Little Monkeys reworded, for example) but, since being part of Storytime Solidarity, I’ve realised how harmful that cane be.
Our Anti-Racism advice is perfect for this situation:
Don’t Whitewash
We don’t “whitewash” problematic songs by changing the lyrics and keeping the old tunes intact — we believe the tunes carry the original intent and associations with them.
In Solidarity
Anne.
Like Maya Angelou said: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”