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Funnily, I’ve been working on a song with the word “democracy” in it and my students don’t know what “democracy” means. I tell them it’s “government for the people, by the people”. Then I share examples of how we have a voice in the government and some of the free choices they have that other children don’t. Students can’t sing it like they mean it if they don’t understand the words they are singing. I made a video for my students with the history of The Star Spangled Banner that has the story of Francis Scott Key and how he came to write the lyrics. The video is a good starting point for a discussion about the Flag and the history of the song.
Some ways that students can sing it like they mean it is through body posture, facial expression and musical expression. All year long I work on skills like vocal posture. I use this poem to remind students how to stand and I compliment the ones who are demonstrating it correctly.
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Another way I try to help them to “show” the song is to talk about the difference between being the “performer” and in the audience. “Have you ever heard Darth Vader ask from a burger and fries during a Star Wars movie?” Some examples like this help them to “get” the idea that they are performers now-“professional” performers who are going to share something with the audience that’s special and memorable. “And our goal is to bring tears to their eyes when we sing”. The students I teach have a lot of family members who are in the armed forces. So they can relate to patriotism pretty easily. So when I sing patriotic songs with them I feel like I am helping them to express their feelings and the feelings of their family members. I believe that by teaching patriotic music we are teaching and giving children the opportunity to touch hearts.
I believe you can teach your students how to touch hearts and help people change through MUSIC! At my school we invite the Veteran’s who are relatives of the school children to our music performance. We have a special place up front for them to sit and we recognize each of them individually, stating their name, where they served and in which branch of the military they served. I have my fourth graders perform this program. I have them practice for about 10-12 weeks (1 time a week classes) for this program. It is our biggest music “deal” because it involves the community. We also invite a local scout troop who’s members attend our school to do the flag ceremony. It has been such a success because the parents love to watch their children sing, and their heart’s are touched by the patriotic music.
Looking for a quick and easy music program? This is a Free Resource with a script and familiar song choices.
I ask all of the audience and the children to wear RED-WHITE- and BLUE. I ask them NOT to wear any sports shirts and to keep the logos and pictures to a minimum. I encourage them to wear long pants or skirts. One of the 4th grade teachers is from England. Her father sends over paper poppies for the children to wear to remind them of the great sacrifices that others have made for their freedom. The poem “In Flander’s Fields” by John Mc Crae is where we get the reference for the poppies. You can read about it here: “The Legends and Traditions of the great war”
There have been times when I’ve had students who can’t, or won’t sing during rehearsals, and then the music touches their hearts and they “get it”-they start to sing! Now I call them my “rock star”! I encourage team work along with holding still, bending the knees, breathing, singing soft, loud, following the director–all the things we music teachers do with our choirs.
I relate the choir experience to being on a sports team. I also talk to them about “focus” like when you’re ready to kick the ball into the goal- it’s like singing a high note…you need to know where it’s going and then let it go with confidence. Or, standing in choir is kind of like getting ready for the ball to be pitched–you’re waiting-you’re watching-and you are ready! I’ll ask my students questions like, “if you are not paying attention and you are playing around doesn’t the coach bench you?”
Now I have their attention. “What happens if you sit down during the middle of the game?
Do you get to keep playing?”
If you want to read more about building classroom community using games, read; “BALLS IN THE MUSIC ROOM” You can read it HERE.
I have found that “sports” talk really helps communicate what I expect from my students. And I apologize to those of you who aren’t athletes…so sorry–I was a baseball, basketball and badminton player all through my upper elementary and high school years.
My point though is that I try to find a way to relate to “my” students-who are very sports minded kids. A few years ago, I felt prompted to compose some patriotic songs for my students and students every where to sing. I hope I’ve captured the spirit of patriotism in these lyrics. You can find all of them in my TpT store. I thought I’d share some of the lyrics and the preview videos with you.
Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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