Nancy Stewart

Before you teach and use this song, discuss the following (it's helpful to have a globe so you can demonstrate):

There are 12 months in a year, and we begin a new year in January. It takes the earth 365 days, or one year, to go around the sun. January is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. People all over the world celebrate the new year throughout January.

Directions for this circle dance

Lines 1 and 2 of each verse: Join hands and walk in a circle
Lines 3 and 4 of each verse: Stop. Clap 3 times, then stamp 3 times
Lines 5 and 6 of each verse: Join hands and walk into the middle and out again

January's Here (A Circle Dance)

Walk around the circle as the earth around the sun
Walk around the circle now January's come
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
welcome a new year
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
January's here
Walk into the middle and back out again
Walk into the middle then out with your friends

Twelve months in a year, and one time around the sun
January to December, now a new year has begun
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
welcome a new year
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
January's here
Walk into the middle and back out again
Walk into the middle then out with your friends

Winter has come to the northern hemisphere
Bringing the snow and cold, January's here
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
welcome a new year
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
January's here
Walk into the middle and back out again
Walk into the middle then out with your friends

Clap your hands, stamp your feet
welcome a new year
Clap your hands, stamp your feet
January's here