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I’m sharing some tried and true first day upper elementary music activities to help you make those important personal connections with your students.
Traditionally, I like to Sing a Hello Song. But with the upper grades, I’ve found that sometimes they need a transition or an ice breaker activity.
On the first day though, I’ll use a hello song and play a ukulele or a hand drum. I walk around the room and make eye contact with the students and smile.
I feel like it’s important to greet them in a musical way.
The idea is to welcome them to music and get to know you a bit.
So sing or play whatever makes you most comfortable. The students will notice your enthusiasm!
After I sing a hello song, I also sing their names.
In fourth grade we sing a hello song.
This song is a round and the resource includes solfege and note name sheet music, a video, mp3 tracks and a presentation to make teaching the song easy.
I like to play a game with the upper elementary students.
My name is Mrs. Hendrickson, I come from New Jersey and I like to sing and play music!
My name is _______________________ I come from _______________________
And I like ______________________music.
Then i have the students share some ideas on things they like about music, their favorite artists, bands, songs and instruments they may play.
I list these choices on the board.
This game can be played with hand drums or just have everyone pat their knees on the beat as they chant.
My name is Mrs. Hendrickson, I come from New Jersey, and I like to play and sing music.
Then we go around the circle and give everyone the opportunity to share.
This game is great to help everyone get to know each other.
Students will be listening and learning about their teacher and fellow students.
The first day is the best day to go over the rules and procedures. There’s no other time to do this important part of good classroom management.
Post your rules so that everyone can see them.
Review them often.
It helps everyone if you state your expectations, including yourself.
Students feel safe when they know what’s expected.
Then when there is an issue, you’ve taken the time to communicate what’s going to happen next.
“I Make Music” is a free resource in the Sing Play Create Free Resource Library.
Students love to play instruments.
Make music the very first day with this Orff arrangement I wrote for upper elementary students.
“I MAKE MUSIC FREEBIE” is a body percussion song with an Orff arrangement. It also has a vocal Ostinato.
The sheet music has all of the parts, lyrics as well as note names in color notes for Boomwhackers and the solfege.
It goes like this:
I make music, yes I do!
I make music how about you?
Make it fast.
Make it slow.
I make music wherever I go!
It’s a good beginning 2 part song.
I teach the song first and then I have them learn to play the song on barred instruments.
Giving the students an instrument to play is going to help them have a positive experience on the very first day.
Pass out the rhythm sticks or drums.
Play a rhythm and have them echo the rhythm.
If they know how to do this activity-then have some of the students be the leaders.
You can also play along to music or a play along video.
I use this activity throughout the school year.
Rhythm activities are a great way to get your students back into MUSIC LAND!
“TOSS AND PASS THE BEAN BAG”
This free activity with music is available in the Sing Play Create Free Resource Library.
There’s a couple of different ways to use this free game.
Have students all sit in a circle.
There is one bean bag.
If you don’t have the freebie, then use a hand drum.
Toss the bean bag for 8 beats and then pass for 8 beats.
After you go around the circle, then tell the students that when the drum stops, so does the bean bag. Whoever has the bean bag will then share their name.
Try to play the game until everyone has had a turn.
You can use music too-but a simple drum will do just fine.
If you have a lot of time, then have the students say their name and also a fun fact, or info about themselves or something about music.
This is a casual, yet effective game to play with upper elementary students.
It’s one way to get to know them and make those important first day personal connections.
Ultimately, the most important thing is making connections with your students.
The WOW factor isn’t the DÉCOR, or even the music you choose-it’s the WOW of meeting all the new students and being excited about teaching them about the world of music.
I’m hoping this blog post helps you with your upper elementary first day music activities.
Let’s Move and Learn with Music!
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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