John Kanakanaka: Video Details

'John Kanakanaka' is an exciting new playground video published by the EFDSS and funded by London's Museums Archive and Libraries, Archives and Learning Grant Programme. Featuring pupils aged 5-11 yrs of Thomas Fairchild Community School, Hackney, E. London, and filmed by celebrated archivist Doc Rowe, the video demonstrates 25 playground songs, skipping, counting and clapping games - the traditional way of learning the basic building blocks of music, song and dance. And it's great fun! There will be workshops for ideas on how to get the most from the video.

'John Kanakanaka' shows the musical treasures to be found both in archives and in today's playground. Hackney school music teacher Pam Davies has clearly enthused her pupils with her selection from the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library archives. The pupils have contributed in turn by sharing their games with Pam.

'John Kanakanaka' is an invaluable resource for play organisers, community leaders, teachers, home educators, in fact anyone who wants to learn and share skills in the traditional manner. After watching and imitating the games on the video the children can explore their natural creativity by incorporating words and ideas of their own. These games also encourage fitness, co-ordination, language practice, tolerance, negotiating skills and team-work - all things that children need to grow into healthy, happy, functioning adults.

Funding for an accompanying teachers' book is currently being sought.

TRACK LIST 1. Old King Glory 2. Who Stole the Cookie 3. Each Peachy Pelly Plum 4. Bingo 5. Red White and Blue 6. Un Deux Trois 7. Here I come 8. I Like Coffee 9. Domina Domina 10. Down in the Meadow 11. One Potato 12. Grandma 13. Muffin Man 14. Coca Cola 15. Pepsi Cola 16. Doggie 17. My Mother Baked 18. I Know a Little Irish Girl 19. Queen Mary 20. ABCD 21. Here Comes a Bluebird 22. Blue Shoe 23. Mrs One Goes In 24. Ribena 25. John Kanakanaka

Project Co-ordinator: Diana Campbell Jewitt, EFDSS
Funding: London's Museums Archive and Libraries, Archives and Learning Grant Programme
Filming and editing: Doc Rowe
Design: John Rice
Production: Reflex
With thanks to Pam Davies (teacher), the pupils, Headteacher and staff of Thomas Fairchild Community School, Hackney, E. London.