Earth Day is just around the corner so I thought I’d pull together some FREE resources for you to use during the nationwide celebration.
If you want to have your students sing some songs to familiar tunes, this is a preschool site with a ton of Earth Day songs. Use the songs as a learning experience by adding Steady Beat on the Drums, an Ostinato on Rhythm sticks or Triangle that they create, and a simple I-V chord progression on the bass xylophone. You could also encourage them to create movement using scarves as other students play the instruments. Rotate the students through the different activities for an engaging and very creative lesson.
Consider writing your own lyrics with the class and singing the song. Apply the ideas above for an innovative “creating and composing” lesson.
Another site that offers free lyrics to familiar tunes is: Jean Warren’s Preschool Music Site
At “Arts Edge” you’ll find a complete lesson on how to make RAIN! Some of the ideas could be easily implemented into the music classroom. For example; make recycled instruments. I’ve done whole units with 5th and 6th graders who learn about sound and the music history, then create their own recycled instruments. These are some we made pretty fast using what was in the trash and on hand.
There are many Earth Day Songs on YouTube. Why not create a playlist and have a sing-a-long.
Ask students to color or write about their feelings for the Earth using my FREEBIE EARTH DAY WRITING ACTIVITY
EARTH DAY SONGS FOR FREE ON TPT:
I love to have students rewrite the lyrics to “familiar” tunes. Here’s one I put together to celebrate Earth Day.
I really like the way the paper blends from blue to green symbolizing “clean” and “new”. I put Ukulele and Guitar chords on the sheet music and wrote a simple Ostinato for Triangle. I also put in a bass and melody xylophone part with and without note names. Print the white sheet music for your students while projecting the lovely graphics for a wonderful Earth Day Celebration.
This way you’ll be able to use it for all of your students.
Finally, a super fun song that my Second graders absolutely LOVE “GERMINATION”.
If you’re interested in a wonderful RAIN SONG from JAPAN, I just love this product by Elizabeth Caldwell over at ORGANIZED CHAOS with MUSIC ALL
AME AME: JAPANESE FOLK SONG LESSONS
I hope you enjoy the spring and celebration EARTH DAY through MUSIC!
Share your ideas with us!
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