Several years ago I wanted to find a song that was easy for 1st grade students to identify the form. I came across Little Johnny Brown and was a bit nervous, thinking that even though they would be able to learn about form from this piece that they wouldn’t like it. It was different thanContinue reading “Little Johnny Brown”
Category Archives: Circle Game
I Let Her Go Go
This is one that works beautifully with students. I Let Her Go Go easily scaffolds and has a melody that students really enjoy singing. I will provide tips for teaching it in the game section below. Suggested Grade Levels: 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade Analysis: History:There are plenty of resources that say this songContinue reading “I Let Her Go Go”
Bow Wow Wow
I have only used this once with a particularly rowdy group of 3rd grade students. Their minds were absolutely blown when we played the circle game and they ended up with their original partner. Then, at the very end before they left music, a light bulb went off for one boy. The end of BowContinue reading “Bow Wow Wow”
Cobbler, Cobbler (Hunt the Slipper)
I use Cobbler, Cobbler with my students every year. The younger ones use it as a beat motion activity where they “hammer” their shoes with rhythm sticks. The older ones use their shoes to compose their own rhythms! No matter how we use it, the kids are always eager to start because they know theyContinue reading “Cobbler, Cobbler (Hunt the Slipper)”
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”
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”
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”
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 