Herman the Worm - Camp song/story - narrated by storyteller, Donna Rhodenizer

Herman the Worm is a camp song that has been part of many campfire sing alongs. Kids will enjoy the chance to sing along, do the actions, and be entertained by all the things that Herman eats. Donna Rhodenizer is an accomplished story teller and she has been delighting children with this story for many years.

Moms and Dads - Home School Parents:
This telling of Herman the Worm has evolved from Donna’s years performing with the professional singing duo, Donna & Andy. Elementary school students who attend a Donna & Andy concert at their school are delighted when Donna Rhodenizer tells this story and Herman eats the music teacher, the principal and even the entire school population.

Of course, worms have no teeth, so worm talking lessons are a must! (Just put your tongue over your bottom teeth and you will sound like Herman.) Kids can sing along with Donna in the video, or just enjoy hearing the story unfold.

Teachers and Home schooling parents:
There may not seem to be a place for a worm in the teaching techniques and curriculum materials the music teacher usually presents in music class. But, if the music teacher is presenting a camp song unit, Herman fits right in! Elementary music teachers, elementary classroom teachers and homeschooling parents may choose a camp song theme to wind up a busy school year of curriculum outcomes and music education. After the students have learned enough camp songs, hold a camp day. Add a fake campfire and some s'mores and you will create a day of singing that everyone will remember!

Parents:
Whether they sing at a general summer camp, Boy Scout or Girl Scout camp, sing for family at a backyard barbecue, or for lovely Aunt Mildred when she comes to visit, camp songs give kids great singing material to share outside of the music room. Being a member of a singing community is often only for those who belong to a choir, but light a campfire and add marshmallows, and a song will inevitably show up. Children's music sung by children, and enjoyed by children could be the definition of a good camp song. The zany, the disgusting, funny and scary songs all have a place in camp song repertoire. Camp songs provide that common bond and they are just great fun!

Lyrics:

HERMAN THE WORM
I was sittin' on my back porch,
Chewing on my bubble gum (* * * *)
Playin' with my yoyo (woo, woo)
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big.
And I said, Herman, what happened?
And he said, I swallowed my gramma’s shoe. (pick whatever you want)
repeat,
each time add larger items (sister’s backpack, best friend’s bicycle, an entire house, etc.)
Last time: Herman what happened? I burped.

For printed music and lyrics for Donna Rhodenizer's Camp Song Collection go to

The songs in Donna Rhodenizer's Camp Song Collection are:
Songs with disgusting lyrics that make us say, “Eeuw”
Found a Peanut
Herman the Worm
Tom the Toad

Call and Response / Echo songs
The Bear Song
Boom Chicka Boom
Going on a Lion Hunt
The Moose Song


Action Songs
Bim Bum
Dum Dum Dada
I’m Glad I am A Camper
Waddle-ee Atcha

Sing along – story songs and songs that are just fun to sing
Banjo Song
Chicken Song (I Had a Little Chicken Who Wouldn’t Lay an Egg)
I Love Onions
Old MacDonald Mash-up
Poor Little Bug on the Wall
Until that Rooster Came Into Our Yard

Canons/rounds
A Ram Sam Sam
One Bottle o’ Pop
Fire’s Burning

Bonus: The Rooster Story (Mr. Stingyman) - participation story

See more teaching strategies, curriculum suggestions, stories and music created by expert music educator, Donna Rhodenizer.

FaceBook page

Website

YouTube - Elementary Music with Donna

YouTube – Children’s Stories & Songs with Donna Rhodenizer

Best Kids Songs - Donna & Andy, International children's performers

YouTube - Donna & Andy

YouTube - Donna Rhodenizer's Music