Do you remember when you were a kid singing rhyming songs. Often these songs are called “campfire songs” even though most often they were never sung around the campfire.

One tradition is that a leader or someone in the group starts the song and then people join in with verses of their own. Here’s an example from Dragon’s Campfire Songbook http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/songbook/songbook_index.htm. The organizer of the site put the first two verses on the Web and then people sent her new verses that they made up.

Alligator! Alligator!

Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend too

The alligator is my friend he can be your friend too

If people would just understand that he needs friendship too!

Alligator! Alligator!

Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend too

The alligator ate my friend he can eat your friend too

If people would just understand that he needs protein too!

Thanks to Georgia Innes for this extra verse:

Alligator! Alligator!

Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend too

The Alligator is my friend he can be your friend too,

But I’d rather have him on my shirt, than have him for my shoes.

Thanks very much to Megan Connor for this extra verse:

Alligator! Alligator!

Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend too

The alligator ate my book, he can eat your book too,

If people would just understand, that he needs knowledge too!

Thanks very much to Amanda Lang for this extra verse:

Alligator! Alligator!

Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend too.

The alligator sailed the seas, he sailed them far and wide.

If people would just understand that he needs exercise!

Actions: Alligator! Alligator!: make gator jaws with arms and snap them shut

Now you’ve got the idea. Your turn! Go to this site and select a song and then write a verse of your own. Turn in the original verse and your new verse to your teacher.