MONDAY MOMENTS “DON’T SAY IT; SING IT”
Lately we’ve heard all about use the “force” or may the “force” be with you…I’d like to think that the “force” in any classroom is MUSIC.
I just took a trip to visit my grandchildren who are 5, 4 and 1.5 years old. The oldest one just started Kindergarten. What a handful! Since we don’t live in the same state I was very curious about what was going on in my oldest grandson’s Kindergarten class and was delighted to hear that his teacher has a song for everything! When it was time to clean up the Christmas toys, I asked my grandson to sing me his “cleanup” song. While we were waiting for his mom to pick him up from swimming at the hotel, I asked him to sing his “lining up” song. Later as we were doing the dishes, I asked him if he knew this song;
As I began to chant he joined in. He chanted high when his finger got bit and low when he explained why and we laughed when it was finished. I was delighted to hear that he knew this chant and could sing all these fun songs to me. I’ve found that kids will respond quicker and happier when directions and requests are put to a rhythm, rhyme and music.
IDEAS on HOW to INCORPORATE Music more into your classroom:
DON’T SING IT; SAY IT: RULES
Instead of; “Please be quiet…” why not sing it? It doesn’t have to be Mozart for the kids to like it either…you could just sing it to the tune of Frere Jacques.
DON’T SAY IT: SING IT: BRAIN BREAKS AND ACTIVITIES
Winter time, testing time, spring time, rainy days, snow days…you name it and students get restless and bored with the routine of the day. How about mixing it up with some fun interactive breaks? Winter and Holiday BrainBreaks is a product I put together for upper elementary school age students.
It also has a couple of writing activities you can use.
“1-2-3-4-5” Song Shared by Music with Miss W
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