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”
Category Archives: 1st Grade
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”
La Raspa
Cinco de Mayo is next week, so many music teachers will be excited to pull out La Raspa and teach it to their students. Please consider why you are doing this with your students. Is it just for a fun folk dance? If that is your only answer, please reconsider. Teaching international folk dance isContinue reading “La Raspa”
Wake Up, You Lazy Bones!
This one is a hit with kindergarten and 1st grade! They love the game and playing the big tubano to wake up their classmates. I love that we have fun while learning about form. Suggested Grade Levels: Kindergarten, 1st grade Analysis: History:To be completely honest, I was very worried about this song when I thoughtContinue reading “Wake Up, You Lazy Bones!”
Little Miss Muffet
Steady beat, dramatic play, vocabulary, cross-curricular connections, racing games…what more could you want from a rhyme?! While I have it listed that the suggested grade levels for Little Miss Muffet are kindergarten and 1st grade, I use the speech version with all of my K-4 students. The younger kids love the creepy crawly spider bitsContinue reading “Little Miss Muffet”
Flea Fly Flo
Out of all of my students, I think kindergarten enjoys this song the most. My older kids already know that they can expect some weirdness from me, so this is basically the first big nonsensical jump for my kinderbabies! They love trying to get a grasp on the silly words and end up improvising someContinue reading “Flea Fly Flo”
Charlie Over the Ocean
“Charlie Over the Ocean” is an echo song that I love using to assess students’ ability to match pitch and use their singing voices. It also works really nicely to develop solo singing confidence and independence. When we start the game, I always ask my students who wants to be the song leader. I loveContinue reading “Charlie Over the Ocean”
Mrs. Hale's Harmonies 