mrshalesharmonies

Bobby Shafto

I used this song with my 2nd grade students when we were working on an aural dictation exercise. They were able to decipher the entirety of the song while working together as a class, which was very exciting to see as a teacher. They really bought into the song when I told them it wasContinue reading “Bobby Shafto”

Naughty Kitty Cat

My students have known that I love cats for years. At the beginning of the year during the “get to know each other” phase of school, I always show them pictures and videos of my cats. My longhaired tabby, Waffle, is always the favorite and the kids scream out that he’s so fat and fluffy,Continue reading “Naughty Kitty Cat”

Bluebird Through My Window

This is one that I highly recommend doing with your younger students. When my kids play it, I give them a bluebird finger puppet that lands on the head of a classmate at the end of the song. The kids trade the bluebird throughout and never seem to tire from playing the game. This isContinue reading “Bluebird Through My Window”

Button You Must Wander

Button You Must Wander is a hit with my students. It is probably their most requested game out of everything we play all year. Even my 4th graders regularly ask if we’ll have time at the end of class to play it! I have a big bag of colorful buttons and get ridiculously sad whenContinue reading “Button You Must Wander”

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

I personally have not used The Bear Went Over the Mountain with my students, but many of my early childhood education colleagues do. I can hear the kids singing this song in their classrooms, so I decided that I would crack it open to see its potential benefits for the music classroom. Suggested Grade Levels:Continue reading “The Bear Went Over the Mountain”

Acka Backa

This song has potential issues involving religious insults and sexual content. Please consider what you read here and do your own research to determine if it is appropriate for your students. During my first year of teaching, I used Acka Backa as an elimination game with a particularly rowdy group of 3rd grade students. WeContinue reading “Acka Backa”

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

This song has issues involving race and racial slurs. I recommend that you do not use this with your students. Please consider what you read here and do your own research to learn more about this song. I personally do not use this rhyme with my students due to the inappropriate and harmful version thatContinue reading “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe”

Chicken on a Fencepost (Can’t Dance Josie)

This song has potential issues involving race and racial slurs. Please consider what you read here and do your own research to determine if it is appropriate for your students. Chicken on a Fencepost has been the center of debate for music teachers for quite awhile now. Some believe that it has racist origins, someContinue reading “Chicken on a Fencepost (Can’t Dance Josie)”

Yoo Hoo (There’s Someone Living on a Big High Hill)

If you want a cute, quick way to warmup students’ voices or a song that assesses singing sol-mi, Yoo Hoo is for you. My littles love this song. We talk about what an echo is, the science behind what causes them, and even get a visit from our friend Copy Cat! I use Copy CatContinue reading “Yoo Hoo (There’s Someone Living on a Big High Hill)”

Closet Key

I have not used this with my students yet, but have seen and heard the testimony of many music teachers who have. Due to its popularity on Facebook groups and the like, I thought I would dive in and see what the inner workings of this song are about. Suggested Grade Levels: Kindergarten, 1st grade,Continue reading “Closet Key”