Hi Ho, To Space We Go
Song of the Month · 2019
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I have great fun with this song in my concerts; you can see my activity suggestions below the lyrics. I don't try to do all eight planets due to space restrictions, and finish with the moon going around earth. But you certainly can keep it going! Using the traditional tune makes it easy for everyone to join in the singing making it totally interactive. This song introduces the most basic concepts of our solar system, and is a great refresher for older children and adults as well. Also check out 'In Our Solar System'.
Lyrics
The Sun is our daytime star, the Sun is our daytime star
Hi, ho, to space we go, the Sun is our daytime star
Mercury's number one, Mercury's number one
Hi, ho, to space we go, Mercury's number one.
Venus is number two, Venus is number two
Hi, ho, to space we go, Venus is number two.
The Earth is third around, the Earth is third around
Hi, ho, to space we go, the Earth is third around.
The Moon goes round the Earth, the Moon goes round the Earth
Hi, ho, to space we go, the Moon goes round the Earth.
"Hi Ho, To Space We Go" Activity
Make props to represent the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth, and the Moon.
These can be as simple as decorated paper plates, or as elaborate as paper mache
globes, or large pieces of poster board which children can wear like a sandwich
board.
Begin the song with one child who is the sun.
Add other children as the song indicates, and have them walk slowly in concentric
circles around the sun. They will discover that Mercury will have to walk very slowly,
for as the other planets are added, and the circle becomes larger, those children
will have to walk faster to keep the planets lined up.
Finish with the child who is the moon.
That child will have to walk around the earth while the earth is walking around the
sun. This is not easy, but is very entertaining! A teacher or parent can be Mother
Nature, and help keep everyone going.
TIP: make sure to sing slowly so children keep the "orbits" in place as they walk.
CONCEPTS:
1. The sun is a star!
2. We see it during the day because it is closer to the earth than the other starts.
3. The sun is the center of our solar system, and the planets orbit around it.
4. The moon orbits around the earth.
Free for any non-profit use. Please credit Nancy Stewart and link to nancymusic.com.