Singing Games as a Springboard

Procedure

Teacher engages students in a discussion of why people sing. Guiding discussion toward the idea that one reason is enjoyment and fun, leads children in naming singing games they have played (e.g., "London Bridge is Falling Down").

Using singing games as a springboard to fun and enjoyment, teacher explains to students how to play various age appropriate (and melodically appropriate) singing games such as, "Circle 'Round the Zero," "Here Comes Sally Down the Alley," "Button You Must Wander," or "Going to Kentucky."

Each of these songs could also be used in connection with introduction, presentation, or practice lessons with the following elements: "Circle 'Round the Zero" = finding where hi Do is in the melody; "Here Comes Sally Down the Alley" = rhythmic reading of eighth notes and quarter note rhythms; "Button You Must Wander" = steady beat as well as half note rhythms; and "Going to Kentucky" = phrase lengths.

Standards Code

Proces Component: Analyze
Re7.2.1
a. With limited guidance, demonstrate and identify how specific music concepts (such as beat or pitch) are used in various styles of music for a purpose.

Proces Component: Interrelate
Cn11.0.1
a. Perform folk music from a variety of cultures and discuss the music's culture of origin.
b. With limited guidance, state preferences for varied musical styles and repertoire.

Suggested Assessment

Students sing songs in tune with healthy head voice (unaccompanied) and playing singing games correctly - for enjoyment! Students respond by naming an appropriate context for these songs.

Enduring Understanding

General Music/Responding
- Response to music is informed by analyzing context (social, cultural and historical) and how creators and performers manipulate the elements of music.

General Music/Connecting
- Creating, performing, and analyzing music deepens our knowledge of ideas, informs our understanding of cultures, and helps us envision the future.

Essential Question

General Music/Responding
- How does understanding the structure and context of music inform a response?

General Music/Connecting
- How does music help us understand the lives of people of different times, places, and cultures? How does music preserve personal and cultural insights and values?

Notes/Resources/Accommodations

www.amidonmusic.com
Mary Alice and Peter Amidon

"Circle 'Round the Zero," 120 Singing Games and Dances for Elementary School, Choksy

"Here Comes Sally Down the Alley," The Music Book, Grade 2, Holt, Rinehart & Winston

"Button, You Must Wander," Just Five Plus Two

The Lullaby Treasury: Cradle Songs from Around the World, Mathilde Polee and Petra Rosenberg

Additional Instructional Ideas

Pair musical selections with appropriate settings or functions and discuss relevance in society.