Songs for Teaching Blog

Themed activities are great for young children, especially when it comes to the holidays. Some of the themes I use with my students during this time of year include snowmen, Santa, giving and sharing, and Christmas trees. The more creative, the better!

With just a few props and some special tunes, you can easily create a reindeer theme for your classroom.  Here are some suggestions:

1. Costumes.  I found some inexpensive reindeer antlers (made of felt and attached to a headband) at a discount store. Pass out to the children as they arrive.  
2. Reindeer nametags. Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen will all be present at this party!  To make the nametags, I printed them on cardstock, laminated, hole-punched, and created lanyards by looping sparkly green yarn through the holes.  
3. Instruments.  In lieu of clacking hooves, the children will tap rhythm sticks together to make that signature reindeer sound.  I even wrote a song called Do You Hear the Reindeer Tapping on the Roof? for this occasion. 
4. Appropriate songs.  Of course, we’ll sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", along with the song I mentioned above.  I’m also including my song "The Other Eight Reindeer" which you can listen to below.  
5. Choreography.  Before singing "The Other Eight Reindeer" I will ask the children to line up in a row, in order of reindeer name.  As each one "flies away" according the the lyrics, I will instruct them to "fly" back to their seat until no more remain.  
6. The Big finish.  We’ll end the music portion of the event by singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas together, at which point the children will move on the next station and I will get ready to do it all again with the next group!
   Written by Rachel Rambach

   Listen to "The Other Eight Reindeer" in the audio player below, from Listen & Learn: Christmas

If you’ve read my previous entries, then you already know that my favorite way to begin a new month is with a song dedicated to it.  December is no exception, especially since it’s a month chock-full of special days and reasons to celebrate. 

Like all of the songs in my Listen & Learn: Months series, the December Song emphasizes the number of days in the month, where it fits numerically (number 12, of course!) and the important events that occur during December. 

Most children associate the month of December with Christmas, but as you and I know, not all of our students come from similar cultures, religions and backgrounds.  That is why I’m always sure to include other traditions, such as Hannukah and Kwanzaa, when I talk about the holidays.  Both of these celebrations are included in the December Song, and it would be simple to substitute any other holidays that your students may celebrate, as well.  This is a wonderful learning and sharing opportunity for the classroom, as many children love to talk about their families’ holiday traditions.  

And then, of course, there is New Year’s Eve.  There are so many interactive discussions to be had concerning this special day, from new year’s resolutions to the different ways everyone rings in the new year. 

December is, without a doubt, a fun month for planning lessons and activities.  While my own lessons span a wide array of topics, it’s nice to have a comprehensive song to tie them all together.  From the first of the month to the last day of 2009, here’s wishing you a wonderful December!
Written by Rachel Rambach

Listen to "December" in the audio player below, from Listen & Learn: Months

Kwanzaa (“first fruits of the harvest’) is a holiday celebrated by African-Americans. First created by Ron Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration and fusion of African heritage and culture.
Kwanzaa lasts six days, from December 26 to January 1.

There are seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa:
     ▪ Unity
     ▪ Self-determination
     ▪ Collective work and responsibility
     ▪ Cooperative economics
     ▪ Purpose,
     ▪ Creativity
     ▪ Faith

Each day, participants ask “Habari gani” (“what is the news?”). Each day, the answer to this question highlights the principle of the day. A special candelabra called a kinara (kee-na-rah) is used; one candle on the first day, two on the second, etc. Homemade gifts – underscoring the principle of creativity – are often exchanged.

One of my favorite books on Kwanzaa is Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pickney, beautifully illustrated by Brian Pickney. Penguin Books: 1993.

Several years ago, I was asked to write a song to honoring Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is Here is both simple to learn, and easy to use as a performance piece.

When I first teach the song, I present it in a “call and response” pattern.  I “call” the first and third lines; the class or audience “responds” by alternating the second line (“habari gani”) or the fourth line (“Kwanzaa is here.”). It doesn’t take long for the students to learn all the words. Then, you can play with arrangement: have half the class “call” and the other half “respond.”

This becomes a wonderful performance option!  The caller may be a soloist, a group solo, or ½ of the class. You may have the call/response pattern only in the verses, and have everyone sing together (tutti) for the chorus. Or you may have the call/response all the way through the song.

Curriculum Integration:

Language Arts:
Discuss what each of the principles mean.
     ▪ Kindergarten and first graders may do this together, while the teacher records on chart paper.
     ▪ 2^nd grade and higher: After the first discussion, each student chooses one principle to write about: what does this principle mean to me? How do I observe it or experience it in my life?

Math:
Music has patterns just like math.  A song with a verse and chorus has an ABAB pattern. The pattern for Kwanzaa is Here varies, depending on how you sing it! A simple call/response, alternating each line, would be ABAB.

Musical Vocabulary: 
     Call and response – a musical pattern in which a one person or group begins one phrase and another person or group responds with another phrase.
     Solo – one person singing (or playing an instrument) alone
     Tutti – everyone sings together.
Written by Greta Pedersen

Listen to a short sample of Kwanzaa is Here in the audio player, below.

Thankfulness doesn’t end with the start of Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).  As we begin our excursions to the mall, start to remember and help children remember that the best things aren’t found in big gift boxes. 

Activity: Big Things Don’t Always Come in Fancy Boxes

1. Display two presents that you “received in the mail."  One is beautifully wrapped, the other is in an old manila envelope. 
2. As you show off your goods, make a big deal over the beautifully wrapped present.  Ignore the plain one. 
3. With great fanfare open the first present.  When it is opened, display your sadness as you show the class its contents (anything that the class will perceive as totally useless). 
4. Next , with a shrug of disgust, you open the plain gift-slowly let a grin cross your face, as you present the class with its contents –a bag of candy! (Such as Skittles or M&M’s)
   
5. As you pass out the candy, there should not be any debate on the Skittle’s color.  The rule of thumb is… “You get what you get-and you don’t get upset” because it’s really not what’s on the outside-it’s what’s on the inside. 

Art Activity:  Decorate one side of a piece of paper as a gift box.   Fold the paper in half.  On the other side encourage the children to write, have them dictate to you, or draw something that they can do this holiday season to help someone else.

Remind your children what whatever they may celebrate in December: Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Chanukah…giving a gift from the heart is a universal message for everyone.
Written by Caroline Figiel

Listen to a short sample of Little Things in the audio player, below.