#40 Program Ideas - Part II (N-Z) - Updated 12/16
Topics
(Just click on the category you want to view)9/11(Twin Towers)--"Name That Tune!"--Nursing Home Concert--OCEAN--Ocean Song List--Participation
[for Patriotism, see file #55 Theme Music O-Z]---People--Plays and Musicals
Private Students Performing at Concert--Program Bulletins--Projecting-Getting Kids to Project Their Voices
Recitals for soloists--Retirement--Risers and Flipforms---Rushing the Beat During Performance--- --Scenery & Props--School Days
Science Program--Scripts[Note: see specific subject for others]--(for "Sea" see 'Ocean' on this page)
Sound Effects----South America--Speaking Parts--Spring is Here--Staff Skits
NO Stage--Students as the Audience: Rubrics--Talent Show--Honoring Teachers--Memorizing Song Texts--Valentine's Day
Veteran's Day--Volunteers--Understudies--Warmups On Stage---We're Under Construction
Willaby Wallaby Woo--Winter--"Wonders of the Earth"--World of Music--Y2K ***********************************************************************
9/11 (Twin Towers)
There is an awesome octavo by Greg Gilpin entitled "The Power of One" also. It has sign language with it and is VERY moving! Check it out.BACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************"NAME THAT TUNE!"
Our next concert is on March 9 and I am calling it: "Name That Tune!". It will feature well-known songs that the parents will have to guess at. That is, I am not going to list titles. I am just going to give hints. On the back, upside down, I will put the song titles. We want to see how many they can guess. The kids are really enjoying this - they like this "game" aspect. Some have said we should just have parents fill in the blanks and whoever gets the most right, wins a prize... Kind of a good idea! Here's the Program Order (first, second, and third grades):Opening: Another Openin' Another Show (third grade with sequin hats!)
Itsy Bitsy Spider - plain (first
grades)
Itsy Bitsy Spider - funk version (Little Richard)
Hickory Dickory Dock - with Orff instruments
She'll Be comin' Around - with hand movements
Yankee Doodle Stick Passing Game
I'll
Love You Forever - book with song interspersed
Conga - (gets first grade off stage, through the audience, audience participation)
Third: Tchaikovsky March from "Nutcracker" with scooters
Grand Ol' Flag -
with streamer routine (seconds)
This Land is Your Land - with ppt.
Mairzy Dotes
My Bonny (with audience standing on the "b" words)
What a Wonderful World - Scarf routine and ppt.
Lions
Sleeps Tonight
Macarena - in blackout with those light up neon bracelets
Scat Cats
(5th grade Orff group):
Amazing Grace (recorders only)
Pachelbel Canon in D (with boomwhackers - third grade)
Don Gato - sung and acted out
Take Me Out - with kazoos
In the Hall of the Mt. King - with handjive
America, the Beautiful - with ppt.
Scat Cats: Ode to Joy for Orff Ensemble (Bonner's version
- WONDERFUL!)
Finale: I Love the Mountains with entire cast and audience. - Contributed by Patricia Oeste
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***********************************************************************NURSING
I volunteer in the Alzheimer's wing. I sit and play piano music and sing with them. I figured we would sing old folk songs, but they made it clear from the beginning that this group likes hymns. One man in particular LOVES to sing. He may not remember his name, but he can get through the first verse of many, many hymns. Anything Patriotic is a big hit as well. I get so much out of it! There are spouses that come during my time. My piano skills have improved as well! I get my chorus there at least once a year. One lost soul comes and sits on the piano bench. ---- Linda Barnhart My favorite activity of the year is our choir field trip! Any 5th and 6th grader who wants can join choir. We meet before school and will perform twice in December. One day before our "big" concert we go out into the community and sing. We usually make it to 3 nursing homes, lunch and 2-3 houses to sing to the elderly. (We stand in their front yard, ring the door bell and sing carols.) The kids love it and we get lots of practice before our concert. The rest of my classes makes Christmas cards (with lots of glitter) that we take with us and pass out during the day. I've never had trouble finding funding for this trip and only 1 year was it cancelled because of a no field trip policy. A few years we had to call it "community service". Retirement centers call me now asking when we can come! ---- Kim PhillipsWe do a "foster" grandparents program with a local facility and the residents look forward to our student visits. I just use songs from the curriculum (and add a few seasonal songs that were "extras" if we did them in class). Each grade level gets to take a trip throughout the year, and the facility makes arrangements to bring some residents to our regularly scheduled school concerts.
My classroom teachers are great with helping and
supervision and often have their students make something (a card, place mat, window or door decoration) to give to the residents when we visit. I have been doing this for the last 9 years at my current school and did it for
11 years at my previous school (where we had 3 different nursing homes within walking distance!!). It takes some planning and effort on your part, but boy, the rewards and happiness you share with the residents (and your
students) is well worth it. Try to get past the way the idea was presented and next school year, be pro-active and approach the teacher(s) first! -- Contributed by Karen in Racine, WI
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My children's choir of many years ago had been a regular at a nursing home, visiting and singing and presenting mini musicals and such.
We never visited at the Christmas season. The man who was in charge told us how cynical the residents were about people caroling at that time. They would have so many groups wanting to visit that they would need to turn them away. But no one wanted to visit any other time. The residents saw so many groups at that time, many would not even come out of their rooms towards the end of the month.
We decided that we would go each month. We would do folk songs in September, Halloween songs in October, Turkey songs in November, skip December, winter songs in January, Singing Valentines in February, depending on when Easter was we would do spring songs or bunny songs in March/April, May was the beginning of summer, patriotic and anything else that we liked.
Our visits were short--40-50 minutes tops. It was never a polished performance, but one that came from the heart. We always made time for REAL visiting, talking and joking with the residents. It was the best part of my time with this particular choir. Watching little ones interact with the older ones. Wonderful!! - Contributed by Sherry in South Milwaukee, WI
BACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************OCEAN, WATER
01/16 ISLAND OF THE SHARKS - Teacher Guide to video: https://www.imax.com/community/education/10/12 OCEAN BACKGROUND NOISE: Here is a website with some looping sounds you can use. The ocean setting is in the drop down menu of the second control knob.
Go to itunes and download podcasts for
ocean sounds; or Pandora radio would have ocean sounds. I've downloaded free music from Itunes and Amazon for this
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12/09 I am planning to use the book Water Dance by Thomas Locker for my 6th grade program this year. I will be doing it in Rondo form with a "flowing water" piece as the A section. --- Lindsey
Cayer
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06/09 Lynn Kleiner book: Songs of the Sea
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06/09 SOUND EFFECTS: Try metallophones or glocks with soft mallets just swished around on them.
Experiments to find the best sound for your needs. --- Ardie Roddy
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Using a flat hand, swoosh around in slower and faster circles to show the
ocean waves sound. I like that better than the ocean drum....Don't forget that surface sounds like ocean liners are heard deep in the ocean by the animals there. That could be a sound idea. --- Martha
Stanley
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11/08 LISTENING: Vaughn Williams "The Sea Symphony"? It is a choral symphony with the poetry of Walt Whitman (Leaves of Grass) used as the text. It is very long - the first movement is 20 minutes - but you might be
able to do something with that. --- Kathleen Bragle
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LISTENING: “La Mer” by Debussy
SONG: “Under the Sea” (won a Grammy)
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ACTIVITIES: Here are some suggestions:
1. Have a drawing activity where the students draw a sea picture with crayons while listening to classical music. Then they can water color over the color crayon art and
have an interesting sea picture.
2. Have a very directed drawing (Mona Brooke style) where students all draw the same creature or scene.
3. Play a relay race where you have letters written on 3 x 5 cards at
one end of the gym and the teams on the other end of the gym. The first student runs down, grabs a letter and runs back. As each student runs down and back they are collecting letters. (We used approximately four
alphabets, doubling the vowels for a group of 100 students.) Once the students have collected all of the letters, they start putting the letters into a word or phrase. The word or phrase that is closest to THE SEA theme
wins. (We did it where the LONGEST phrase wins.)
4. Have students in teams choose a sea animal and write a four line poem to it. Then have them turn it into a song to perform for the group. They can also
illustrate this animal.
5. Sing a sea shanty and have them all lined up two long rows as if they are rowing the boat... then have them move to the beat of the shanty.
6. Read a story about the sea to them and have
classical music playing in the background. You could take Camille St.Saens' "Aquarium" and record it over and over as a background.
7. Using Orff instruments or drums teach "Take Time in Life" ...something
everyone needs to do.
8. Sing songs that have to do with the sea. --- Caryn Mears, Kennewick, WA
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ART PROJECT: Our art teacher recently did a great project with kids on The Sea. They used torn tissue paper, mostly horizontal strips about 3" long and 1" wide, in sea colors, blues, greens, purples. They made little
orange round things about the size of a quarter that looked like bubbles and she said they were seaweed (?).
Make the orange things little bitty fish and go with that. The kids would glue the fish on the paper - kinda
thick paper – in their own design. Could be single fish, schools, etc. Then the kids would layer over the entire sheet of paper the torn paper strips so that they covered up all the background paper and maybe just barely
overlapped but mostly just butted up to one another and then glued them all down with watered down glue, like decoupage. They were GORGEOUS. --- Martha Stanley
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12/07 BOOK: You need to take a look at Andreae Giles' book "Commotion in the Ocean". This is a wonderful book of short poems, 4-8 lines long, about the various sea creatures. The book starts and ends with a longer
poem, each 12-16 lines long. One year I had 2nd grade classes choose a poem and add instruments to it. Another year, I added a melody to the longer poems for all kindergartners to sing, and each class learned 3 short
ones. Both times, the parents loved the presentation.
Other books like this, but on other topics include "Cockadoodledoo Barnyard Hullabaloo" and "Rumble in the Jungle". And if you just want to read a book about
marching to a different drummer, you'll enjoy "Giraffes Can't Dance". All are by the same author. -- Kay in GA
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12/078 UNIT: I've been doing an oceans unit with my first graders for 8 years now. 1. To sing: "The Ocean is the Beginning of the Earth" - a round and spiral dance Beatles - "Octopus' Garden" and "Yellow Submarine"
We get out our peri scopes and move around room to various rhythms (walk, skip, jog) lookfor things and sing about them, etc., Baby Beluga by Raffi, Sea Shanties
2. Rhythm work: list things associated with
oceans on the board, dividing them by the rhythmic syllables into columns (ie: sea, shell, whale would be in one column and dolphin, humpback, seaweed would be in another) get kids to guess how I decide to put each thing
they mention into which column - by the rhythm! Aha! Then use these lists to build rhythms, take to non-pitched or pitched, etc.
3. A song with barred instruments/ also to work on individual singing, pitchmatching: from
Music for Children American addition, Vol 2 p.21 "Little Shell" - tell me of the ocean, Little shell tell me of the sea
4. I have collected small ocean objects, critters and such; we play a passing game rondo: A: sing and
pass B: Q/A Who has the octopus (dolphin, seashell, etc.) . . . . (individuals sing an answer back)
5. To Listen/Move to: The Aquarium - Saint Saens Paul Winter - Greatest Hits Disc 1, #4 Lullaby from the Great
Mother Whale and Disc 2, #4 Ocean Dream -- Lisa Mandelstein
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06/07 LISTENING: I've used both "Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks for listening. There is a techno arrangement on the second one of a piece that was on the first one...totally different, but still the same piece. [This]
makes for great comparison listening. -- Jane Rivera
There's a wonderful CD …called The Water Planet put out by Chandos Records. It is a collection of 9 water-themed pieces. For oceans, there's "Dawn" from Four
Sea Interludes," Benjamin Britten; "La Mer" 1st mvmt, Debussy; "Tintagel," Arnold Bax. -- Barbara Williams
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06/07 LIGHT EFFECT: Turn off the lights, put up a disco ball with a blue light on it, and listen to Alan Hovhaness "And God Created Great Whales." You can either just lay back and listen, or non-locomotor pantomime motions of.
Rowing out (lights on);
Diving in (lights off); Feeling the giant humpback as she swims over the top of you (brass pentatonic melody)
Grab her tail & dive deeper (trombone glissandos) listen to the high
pitched orcas
Feel the bubbles they're blowing from underneath you
Petting the smooth skin of the orca (violin solo)
Trying not to let the low groans of the bowhead scare the poop out of you
Swim
towards the surface
Climb back in the boatwave to all the different whales as they surface hold your breath as you get splashed by the breaching whales a couple times. and then, the inevitable.. .."LET'S DO THAT
AGAIN!!!" It's buckets full of oceany fun. - David Thaxton
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06/07 SEA SHANTIES: There is a fantastic Canadian Band called Great Big Sea. They do old school sea shanties from Newfoundland. Their music is fun, folky, modernized, and accessible to music geeks like myself and
regular old folks even picky adolescents. They have a lot of appropriate music and some with adult content, (no swear words). They do a kickin' version of "Lukey's Boat". - Patricia
Winter
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06/07 LISTENING: Check out "A Symphony of Whales" by Steve Schuch (Harcourt, Brace 1999). You will love it. Steve has several CDs too, but in his "Wellspring: Live at the Folkway" listen to Whale Trilogy.
Wonderful.
http://www.NightHeron.com -- Kathleen Bragle
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06/07 http://shanty.rendance.org/ Shanties and Sea Songs - lyrics and much more!
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06/07 SONG: I use "John Kanaka" (a deepwater halyard shanty) and "Pay Me My Money Down" (noted as a "sometime" shanty with some folks or a windlass/pump shanty with others) with my third graders. -- BJ
Whitehouse
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06/07 SONG: Shirley McRae has a publication "Angel at the Door" that has Rise, Rise and Up She Rises - same tune as "What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor" - RaeAnna Goss
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06/07 BOOK: Commotion in the Ocean (with CD)
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01/07 Songs: Baby Baluga, Wishy Washy, The Wind Blew East, Long Legged Sailor, Down By the Bay, Come Saiing With Me, A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea -- Nancy Jolley
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01/07 Big ship on the Illy Ally Oh (sp?) -- Gwen I. Fitzgerald
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See also the file #55 Theme Ideas O-Z( /Sailors and/or /Pirates)
07/05 Contact www.jazzles.com they have some great ocean songs.
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07/05 "Sounds a Little Fishy" (musical, about 30 minutes) works well for at least lower el. Some of the songs are quite wordy, so I think you'd get favorable participation from students through 3rd grade, 2nd grade being
the ideal, in my opinion. -- Laurie in MI
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07/05 I've done [“Sounds a Little Fishy”] (musical) with kindergarteners several times, and they LOVE it. Some of the songs are a little difficult for them, so they might work for your older kiddos. I'm lucky to have
wonderfully supportive classroom teachers that work with the children using tapes of the songs and speaking parts. -- Shirley Nichols
There is a musical called Go Fish maybe by Donna Amorosia - Deaetta Szulis
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07/05 WHALES I saw this at a John Feierabend workshop, and it's so cute!! Pick up a whale Beanie Baby (he had an Orca) wherever you can find one. You are the whale's voice, and you make high-pitched whale
sounds with your voice. The whale goes around the room to each student and speaks "whale" to them. They do not need to match pitch exactly, but must answer in "whale" language back to the whale. It takes away the fear
of singing alone and is a fun activity to do. My K's and 1's LOVE doing this and ask "Is Willy coming out to play today?" Just a little spin-off if you do find some cute whale songs to do. -Sabrina La
Pointe
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06/04 There are 2 great ocean songs by Brent Holmes in "Musicplay for Kindergarten".
Sammy the Salmon - great song, and great teaching piece on the life cycle of a salmon
The Humpback Whales are Blowing
Bubbles - again, a very singable song, with great teaching material about whales.
Brent has both of these songs on a single CD "Sea Tunes for Kids" Visit www.funtunesforkids.com for info on his single CD.--
Contributed by Denise Gagne
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This isn't really a song, but it's a chant, "A Sailor Went To Sea". It goes along with the hand clapping game.
How about Going Over The Sea-look in Wee Sing Around the World-it says its from Canada: ...When I was
one I ate a bun, going over the sea...
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04/03 BOOK: "The Twelve Days of Summer" by Elizabeth Lee O'Donnell. Its verses are On the First Day of Summer I saw down by the sea a little purple sea anemone. (You have to teach the word "a -neh-moh-ney" to them especially the primaries since it's a mouthful.) The last verse is On the twelfth day of summer, I saw dozen by the sea twelve gulls a - gliding, eleven waves a -crashing, ten dolphins playing, nine seals a - barking,
eight crabs a -scuttling, seven starfish a-swimming, five flying fish, four pipers running, three jellyfish, two pelicans, and a little purple sea anemone. When we sign the book, I point out the sea anemone on each page because
it moves. We make a game out of finding it on each page turn.-- Contributed by Patricia Albritton
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BOOK: "Somewhere in the Ocean" by Jennifer Wood that is like "Over in the Meadow" and it has the song melody in the back.
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06/02 WATER
SONGS:
"The Aquarium" from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens
"Under the Sea" from "The Little Mermaid"
My Friends in the Sea" from MK-8 7/5
"Under the Sea" - Little
Mermaid
"Down by the Bay" - Raffi
"Crocodile Rock" by Elton John (for choreography, see Program Ideas II (N-Z)/Dance
[Music K-8.... "Merry Dolphins We", "Sail Away", and "Friends in the Sea"]
"There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea"
"My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean".....When you sing this song, every time you sing a word that
starts with a B,stand if you're sitting and sit if you're standing. It's hilarious, and very good for the quads and abs!
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Yellow Submarine
The Lorelei. Great story, beautiful song!
"The Sailor's Alphabet" in a sea chantey unit, but the kids really loved "Cape Cod Girls" the most.
"Shenandoah" is actually a sea chantey! Use MK8's version!
Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool swam
three little fishies and the mama fishy too---"swim" said the mama fishy,"swim if you can" and they swam and they swam right over the dam."
Beach Boys stuff----Kokomo, Surfin' Safari; Rub a dub dub three men in a tub, and
who do you think they be? and.....Puff the Magic Dragon..... and.....Wynken, Blynken and Nod
There is the wonderful sea chantey: "A Capital Ship"
Tales of a Lad at Sea, A Sailor's Life For Me, The Ghost
Ship
Baby Beluga, Going Over the Sea
LISTENING:
Smetana's The Moldau
Joan Collins' Colors of The Day album has Farewell to Tarwathie, which uses the whale sounds as well
Hearing the Humpback Whales singing. "And God Created
Great Whales" Hovahness, and the Reading Rainbow Video of "Humphrey, The Lost Whale" and "Whale Song"
"Blue Danube" Waltz
"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot
the poem
"Hiawatha" by Longfellow (By the shores of ...)
Une barque sur l'océan by Ravel
Ralph Vaughn Williams....."A Sea Symphony"; "Victory at Sea"
BOOKS:
Whales by Cynthia Rylant - play Paul Winter's whale music as background
Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey - this is a nice one for you to share with your own children before you go on your trip
(I don't know their ages)
"Amazing Impossible Erie Canal" by Cheryl Harness (pictures and history of building of canal)
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02/02 A fun idea for an "under the sea" backdrop is to fill up a zip lock baggie with colored blue water and put it on the overhead projector. Have someone gently move the bag while the children are singing to make the water flow.
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LISTENING/MOVING MUSIC: "The Aquarium" from Carnival of the Animals (we read McElligot's Pool before we hear this and discuss real and unreal creatures of the sea. Then we listen and move to the music with scarves. Later we have a few students go in the center of the circle and move. When the music stops everyone has to guess what creature they are. Theme from "Jaws" - by John WIlliams- just the most exciting music! It is actually a little scary for some first graders! Listen and act out!
"The Sea"- a 3 CD set of music with ocean sounds, there's a CD of new age music, one CD is all Chopin with ocean sounds, and one is poetry about the sea with ocean sounds. I use these for creative movement activties (move like a wave breaking on the beach...) with scarves or fish puppets kids make, also good for mirroring and shadowing.
If you can't find this particular bunch of CD's there are many others with nature sounds you can find. Hovhaness "And God Created Whales" As we listen we tear out a paper fish or whale, attach to popsicle stick, then silently go behind a shadow screen and swim our shadow puppet.
Watch Fantasia 2000 sequence of whales flying and swimming to Respighi's "Pines of Rome".
SINGING & GAME SONGS: " Charlie Over the Ocean", as child goes around circle he sings "Charlie caught a _____" and fills in with a sea creature. "Chinese Boat Song" -childen "pull ropes" as they sing "Yah hoo, yah hoo hay" .Is an old tune but both of these are in the new Macmillan series. Songs from the Sea World Song Book. Great piggy back songs about all the creatures at Sea World. Available through Sea World Education Dept., probably on the Sea World website."
CHANTS & RHTHYMS: Here's a chant you can do sitting and patsching in a circle: "Deep in the ocean creatures everywhere, If I were a diver what would I see there? " Pat and clap this on steady beat, then each child says the name of a creature. Or you can say it and pass a bean bag. When the poem is done, whoever has the bean bag says the name of a sea animal. Write it out and put in a pocket chart for the next activity.
Make cards with sea creature names on them. Now make cards with matching rhythms on them. Mix them up, ask the kids to match the rhythm with the creature. ie:
(ta ti ti ti ti ti ti ta ta ta) sand dollar Anenome Octopus etc.
Turn this into a "Rhythms of the Deep" rondo using the above poem as the A section, B section for the rhythms, have groups decide how they want to perform-body percussion, with non-pitched perc. or etc.
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MUSICAL: "Sounds a Little Fishy to Me" was a great sea related musical I did last year with 1st and 2nd grade. (A musical introduction to the Ocean) by Donna Amorosia & Lori Weidemann Reccommended for grades K-4 I
ordered through Clarus Music ,LTD 150 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, N. Y 10523 (914)347-8475 www.clarusmusic.com
musical review called CARNIVAL OF LIFE which contained a song called WHALES STAY UP LATE. It has a catchy tune and three information-packed verses. We did it with a track, but it can easily be done with guitar
or piano accompaniment.
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ILLUSTRATING LYRICS is a lot of fun for the kids and makes the song more "real" to them. The art teacher in my school, has the children draw their illustrations on overhead transparency film and we mount them in the cardboard frames. As part of the process, the children learn to "feel the phrases" in order to figure out how many pictures are needed and to make sure that the right picture is shown at the right time. It's a nice lesson/activity.
WHALE SONGS: http://www.oceanmammalinst.org/songs.html
http://www.cetacealab.org/watch-a-listen-to-whales
http://www.npr.org/2014/12/26/373303726/recordings-that-made-waves-the-songs-that-saved-the-whales
RECORDING: http://www.bestchildrensmusic.com/cd_ifcs.htm CD
My second graders are doing two sea chanteys for their program in May (along with some other music of the USA): "Cape Cod Chantey" and "Away for Rio". They are both in the Music Connections series.
LISTENING: Paul Winter's whale song
LISTENING: a piece of music by George Crumb called the Voice of the Whale. It is a chamber work for amplified flute, cello and piano. The 3 musicians dress in black and wear black masks. The piece is divided into sections that correspond with eras but the first piece is the beginning of time which begins with the whale's song. It is mainly done by the flute but has the flute blow and sing simultaneously. It is a very interesting piece of music.
Seaworld: http://seaworld.org/en/just-for-teachers/classroom-resources/teachers-guides/ (Scroll down) Teacher guide - more of a science lesson
"The Octopus Song" is a cute song that demonstrates the food chain, as the little fish is swallowed by a bigger fish, who is swallowed by a bigger fish, etc. The last critter (fish?) is the whale. It's great for K-2.
I would like to suggest the Young Children's Theater Mini-Play Kit entitled Whale Watching. The plays run about 15 minutes. Dialogue, songs, accomp provided. My 1st & 2nd graders love to perform plays from this series.
I like them because there is not much production work involved. Most vendors carry this play series. To name one: Clarus 2000 catalog pg33 or for you web hounds www.clarusmusic.com
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STORY/SONG: I did a story and music presentation on a mermaid story last summer and we had a lot of fun. I put newsprint on the walls and let the children draw sea life and plants, bubbles, treasure chests etc. We then made sea animals such as jellyfish, starfish, eels, crabs etc by cutting the shapes out of tissue paper, gluing the sides together and stuffing them with toilet paper. We hung them from the ceiling along with blue streamers for the ocean. As for the
music part, we did a circle free form dance with scarves to Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals. We walked like crabs and explored the various inst. sounds effects for the animals. on the xylos I adapted the lyrics to Rain,
rain as an ocean song, and we sang another song that I composed about animals in the ocean.
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Have a large whale in the middle of an "ocean" with the caption "Whaling, Whaling Over the Ocean Blue" (take off on "Sailing, Sailing, over the ocean blue). Have small musical notes interspersed among the words. Coming
out of the whales spout could be the names of some of the songs you will be teaching them. OR how 'bout "Have a Whale of a Time in Music!"
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OCEAN! This is not a music idea but a teacher at my school made an ocean for the kids to explore using 2 blue tarps. Put the tarps on top of each other. Duct tape 3 sides and half of the 4th side. Inside the tarps you should have
pictures of ocean creatures that the kids colored (or the teacher if you want to do it all yourself). Tape the pictures securely inside. Don't forget the sea weed. Take a regular size fan and put at the opening. It makes the tarps
inflate and the kids can go into the ocean to explore. I thought this was really cool. I even took my turn crawling around inside of the imaginary ocean.
BOOK: Those of you who are looking for a good music/reading book might want to consider "A Symphony of Whales" by Steve Schuch (pronounced Shook) It's brand new - based on a true story about thousands of beluga
whales that were found trapped in the Senyavina Strait of Siberia in 1984. The people worked together to free them with the use of classical music. Steve was our artist in residence a few years ago - there's no recording
sold with the book but he does have a song available called "Whale Trilogy" which I think is on his Celtic Celebration recording. He plays violin and the whale songs are incorporated into the music. He lives here in N H. The book is published by Harcourt Brace
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PICTURE BOOK: McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss (fabulous fanciful fish)
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BOOK: Moonsnail Song by Sheryl MacFarland & Sheena Lott. Orca Book Pub., 1994 ISBN# 1-55143-008-8 ( I have an entire Orff unit built around this book with song, tidepool rondo, rhythms and poems I have written.
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BOOK: Prince Nautilus by Laura Krauss Melmed & Henri Sorensen. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, New York. 1994. ISBN0-688-04566-9. (This is actually for older kids and is a Cinderella fairy tale of sorts)
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LISTENING: Alan Hovhaness' symphonic work And God Created Great Whales
Mysterious Mountain -Seattle Symphony - uses underwater recordings of humpback whales
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***********************************************************************OCEAN SONGLIST
"At the Foot of Yonder Mountain", a love song to a fair maiden.- sailor on a whaling ship bound for GreenlandAnchors Away
Away for Rio
Baby Beluga - Raffi
Banana Boat Song
Bobbin Along (Bed Knobs and Broomsticks)
The Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea
Bring me a little water Big River by Jonny Cash
Black Water by the Doobie Bros
Candle On the Water (Kasha);
Blow Ye Winds - (trad.), 3rd grade World of Music Silver Burdett
Cape Cod Chantey - Music Connection - Grade 4 - Silver Burdett
Chanteys CD - Schooner Fair from Maine
Charlie Over the Ocean
Columbus: A Great Crazy Sailor
Cool Water--Sons of the Pioneers
Down by the Bay" (Raffi)
Down by the Ocean" (Wee Sing chant.)
Down by the Sea - Red Grammer ("Down by the sea, my family and me.....)
Enya's Sail Away.
The Fun Song" from Spongebob
Fish Song (Trad. )
Erie Canal Four White Horses I'se the B'ye - " " "
Farewell to Tarwathie- Judy Collins
Going Down To Cairo (trad.)
Going Over the Sea
Golden Vanity
How High Is The Water Mamma--Johnnie Cash
Humpback Whale - musicplay.ca
John Lithgow's "I'm a Manatee”
If I Were a Dolphin - T. Jennings (musick8.com)
Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor
Johnny Come to Hilo - " " "
The Jamestown Homeward Bound - Music Connection - Grade 5 - Silver Burdett
The John B Sails - " " "
Lightly Row (recorders-trad.)
A Little Ship -
Long-Legged Sailor (trad.)
My Bonnie
My Friends in the Sea (the wonderful) from MK8 7/5 - http://www.musick8.com/
On The Good Ship Lollipop
Octopus by Charlotte Diamond
The Octopus's Garden
Popeye the Sailor Man
Proud Mary by John Fogerty
Reflections of a Lad at Sea Don Besig - wonderful 3 movement choral piece!!
Ride, Captain Ride
"Bali Hai"
River of Dreams by Billy Joel
Rubber Blubber Whale-John McCutcheon
Sailing on the Ocean
A Sailor went to Sea Sea Sea
Sammy was a Salmon - musicplay.ca
Seaweed is Good from Finding Nemo
Shenandoah
Silvy--Huddy Ledbetter(Leadbelly
Sing A Whale Song - Tom Chapin
Skye Boat Song " Grade 6 "
Somos el Barco/We are the Boat
Song of the World's Last Whale.......hauntingly beautiful - Share the Music
Surfin' USA Chuck Berry Teresa Jennings (musick8.com)
Sweet Water Music K-8 magazine, nice pentatonic song-Canon
Turn the Glasses Over
Way Over the Irish Sea ...It really is delightful.
Take Me to The River by Al Green
There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Under the Sea - from "The Little Mermaid " " "
The Water is Wide Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - " " "
Water Music
A Whale Of A Tale (Grier/Everson)Lively, fun Bible Story
Whales I Love set to the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat. (musick8.com)
Whole New Word Alan Menkin
Yellow Submarine Lennon/McCartney
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***********************************************************************PARTICIPATION
I send home a commitment note about a month prior, just so I know who will be participating. I tell them and their parents that by signing this note they are committing themselves to being there. However, those that don't commit, do not suffer any consequences. There are too many other things in these families' lives for me to demand that they all be in a program. I usually only have 5% of the kids not participate at nightBACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************PEOPLE
For BACKDROP idea, see "SCENERY" in this file------------
PROGRAM: Opening Song: "We're So Glad To Be Here" (warm up, relax song)
Narrator: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! We ARE indeed glad that you are here to see our second grade program. Tonight on stage you will see ALL ten second grade classes from Kerr School.
In our words and our music, we will tell you about the topics we have studied in our new Social Studies Book, called "People Together--Adventures in Time and Place" We are learning about maps and charts and graphs. We have practiced new thinking skills and study skills and have learned a lot of new vocabulary words this year.
In Chapter One, our key words were (point to chart in big book)....group, rule, neighborhood, neighbors, community, urban area, suburb, rural area, citizens and law. I learned that I can belong to many different groups: I am in a class, I can be a scout, I might be in a choir or I could be a member of a club......but the most important group I belong to is my FAMILY.
SONG: "That's A Family"
In our music class, we read this book (hold the book) by Lloyd Moss that showed us what musicians are called when they perform in groups of different sizes. These next students will share with you the story /poem called:
"Zin, Zin, Zin, A Violin"
(class is drawing/making the inst. described to pantomime playing as group size grows)
StoryPoem: ZIN,Zin,Zin Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Best
Song: "I Live In The City" possible solos (Share the Music CD7)
We learned that when people live and work together, they need to learn about each other and to understand different attitudes and points of view. Mrs. Lovell's class has a poem from our social studies book and a skit that will show you that things are not always what they seem!
Poem/Skit: "Points of View" and "Folk Tale of Six Blind Men...from India"
We live in the town of Clinton, in Sampson County, in the state of North Carolina, in the United States of America on the North American Continent. We are all part of the family of man within this whole universe!
The key words in our second chapter (hold the book) taught us about capital, river, lake, plain, mountain, hill, valley, peninsula, and island......and about the natural resources we sing about now.
Song: This Land Is Your Land possible solos
Song: Recycle Rap sunglasses? Trash instruments from Mrs. Clifton's class (Music Connection CD6 - not the MK8 one this time)
What do I want to be when I grow up? How does the food get from the farm to our kitchen? Is what I "want" and what I "need" the same thing? In Chapter three, we had to think about those questions Our key words (hold the book) were: goods, service, transportation, factory, trade, needs, wants, and shelter. These next poems and songs will show you what we learned.
Poem/Skit "When I Grow up......" Mrs. Bell's and Mrs. McLeod's students Song: "If I Had a Hammer" Song: "When I am Ten Years Old" costumes by Mrs. Halls's class Solos (Share the Music CD 7.....wonderful Norweigan folk song..kids love it)
(Hold the 4th book) Vote, tax, government, President, monument, museum, White House, Congress.........What are the symbols of our county? How does government help the people solve problems?........every good citizen must know about these words and ideas.
We must stand with dignity and respect when we say our pledge to the flag. Please think about the words as you stand quietly and say it with us now....please keep standing to help us sing "America".
Pledge.....Song "America"
Song: "You're a Grand Old Flag" audience singalong too?
Song: "America, I Hear Your Singing" solo on first verse? (Music Con. CD6)
How did people come to America? Who were the leaders and heroes in our history? In chapter 5, we studied (show book and word list) history, explorers, colonists, independence, slavery and pioneers. Much of the music we love to sing in America came from other countries and other times. Songs like these still help us to express our feelings and to understand the people and events from our past.
SONGS: Kum Bah Yah possible instruments and solos Thornton and Pearson
Polly Wolly Doodle (choreography)
Sail Away
Everybody loves to celebrate something!......In Chapter 6 (hold the book) we learned about famous people, important places and different holidays. How exciting to discover that many different customs and holidays are
observed right here in America......and that many special American leaders have helped to build our country.
Poem: In Memory (from music book) Miss Loucks' class (Dr. King poem)
Song: Free At Last
Song: Christmas Makes Me Sing!
We all live in this big world TOGETHER. When we work together, we can find solutions for a better life. We must make good choices because what we do today affects all our tomorrows.
Song: The Future Begins With Us Solos
It is an exciting time to be alive! We are beginning a whole new century. We are the children who will be the good citizens, parents and leaders of tomorrow! We are the children who will listen and learn and respect one
another! We are the children who will work for peace.......We are "People Together"
ALL TOGETHER; We are The Class of 2010......We ARE the future!
Song: We Are the People of the 21st Century.
BOW....."Encore" Song: Shalom (remind me......all wave gently on final Shalom) EXIT.............
(Kids still upset/disappointed that we are not also singing "What a Wonderful World" and "Love Can Build A Bridge"......I wanted to do slide show of photos of kids with their families while we sang....but, hey, there's always
next year for that)
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***********************************************************************PLAYS and MUSICALS
PLAYS 02/02 Catalogue: Theatre House Inc. ,P.O. Box 2090, 400 W. Third Street, Covington KY 41012-2090, 1-800-827-2414
It has everything from costumes to lights to scenery to sequins. Even if you don't order anything, it's fun to look through it! www.theatrehouse.com
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I've used this company (Theatre House) several times (I've purchased a cool Elvis wig and some powdered wings from this company!). The service is good, and the prices are reasonable.
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Cinderhazel By Deborah Lattimore
The Bootmaker and the Elves by Susan Lowell
Emma's Christmas by Irene Trivas
The Frog Princess? by Pamela Mann
Sydney Rella and the Glass Slipper by Bernice Myers
The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A Wolf , By Jon Scieszka
Three Little Javelina's by Susan Lowell
Wart Snake in a fig Tree by (last name Mendoza unsure of first name )this is a parody on- A partridge in a pear tree.
Goldilocks and the Three Hares by Heide Petach
Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter by Diane Stanley
Little Red Cowboy Hat by Susan Lowell
Moonstruck (parody on the cow jumped over the moon) by Gennifer Choldenko.
The Three Little Pigs by Steven Kellogg
Bubba, the Cowboy Prince by Helen Ketteman
Sleepless Beauty by Frances Minters
OOPs! (Little Red Riding Hood), by Colin McNaughton
Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairytale by Pamela Edwards.
"Elephants Child" by John Jacobsen
"A Knight to Remember" by Mary Donnelly and George Strid
"Rock" by Kirby Shaw/John Jacobson
"School Daze" and "Treasure Island"
"Clowns" by Craig Cassails
"I Need a Vacation" by Emerson/Jacobsen
"Tom Sawyer" by Donnelly and Strid
"Readin, Ritin, and Rockin" by Janet ?
"A Small Part of the World" by Sally Albrecht.
"The Princeless Princess & The Cat & the Rat" by Delelles and Kriskle
"We Haz Jazz" by John Jacobson and Kirby Shaw
You would absolutely LOVE "We Haz Jazz"!!!!! My fourth and fifth graders are eating it up. It is somewhat difficult rhymically. For that reason, I wouldn't go any lower than 3rd grade with it. However, if you're just going to
use one or two songs (and not try to perform the entire booklet) you could probably teach one or two of the easier ones to 2nd grade too.
There is an accompaniment CD which is wonderful. The tempos are good and the vocals are excellent. The suggested choreography appears throughout. (Of course...what would we expect from John
Jacobson??) It is written in the form of a play. It has dialogue in between the six songs for several characters. Because my concert time is limited (I share the program with band and orchestra), I have opted to
perform the six tunes without any dialogue or costumes. However, my kids are attempting some of the choreography.
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***********************************************************************STAFF SKITS
07/05 Twelve Days of Christmas - ParodyOn the first day of Christmas, a student said to me,
"When is the class party?"
2nd day - "I lost my gloves"
3rd day - "I'm gonna tell" (said really whiny like kids
do)
4th day - "Is the test today?"
5th day - "Is it recess yet?"
6th day - "We did that last year!"
7th day - "My dog ate my homework"
8th day - "I don't get it"
9th day - "Can I get a drink of
water?" (corrected to "May" by a principal
or someone)
10th day - "He was talking too"
11th day - "He cutted me" (I know its bad grammar - that's the point)
12th day - "NOW I get it!"-- Posted by
Leah McDonald.
The teachers sing about lost gloves, tattling, homework, talking, cutting in line, etc. I last heard our office ladies were going to change a couple of things and add things that our kids always go up to the front office for like band aids, use the phone, Can I have an ice pack. There is also another version in Vol. 11 no.2 MK8 magazine, called "The Twelve Days Before Vacation". For our spring concert last year, my principal, her 2 assistants, the PE and art teachers did a skit to "Pop Bottle Hoedown". The skit started with the principal coming on stage and calling for Kathy Sue and Mary Lou, etc. to come on up. They ran up the aisles in hillbilly costumes ranting and raving. I had set up glass soda pop bottles with colored water and mallets and sheet music. The ladies started out playing their bottles and making a mess of things. They were pouring out water, taking swigs of water, banging on their bottles. Then the principal called for some children to help them with the song and my 2nd-3rd grade show choir came running up through the audience to join the staff on stage and sang "Pop Bottle Hoedown" with simple movement, while the ladies played their bottles. It was a huge success. My principal loved it so much that she wanted to do another skit this concert. We practiced after school once a week for three weeks. They had a blast rehearsing and trying to remember how to read music. One of the kids favorite songs too. -- JoDee Dean
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***********************************************************************STAGE: DECORATING, NO STAGE !!
10/12 DECORATING My stage is actually the cafe and has to be set up/torn down at every rehearsal and performance. For drama club I bought the tall foam insulation boards and painted backdrops on them. I built a stand out of 2X4's to hold it upright. They are VERY light and my stage crew of kids can move them. I have also hung things from my battons using fishing line. ---- Audrey in IN------------------------
NO STAGE
I also have a school with no stage. We've done a couple of different things. 1. Use tall cardboard, like refrigerator boxes, painted with a scene. I always have at least 1 dad who works at Lowe's or some other such store and can get us large pieces of cardboard. 2. Project a power point slide show of theme things. When we did Earth Day last year, I put up pictures of recycling motifs and people that the students quoted in their speaking parts. And at Christmas, I scanned in a book that the primary students read as their part and we interspersed songs to enhance the book. ---- Angela R. Lyon
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For years, I used the two tall, weighted portable basketball goals as anchors and wrapped bulletin board paper between the two. A former principal purchased some ScreenFlex partitions (nice, easy to store, but expensive). When they were no longer needed in classrooms, the music program inherited them. We have 5 of those. Then, last year my wonderful friend and PE teacher and her husband made a backdrop frame from PVC pipe. It is 18 ft wide and 10 ft high. it comes apart and the pieces can be stored in one corner of my storage room. I have some pictures from the Christmas program that I can send you. I've also used refrigerator boxes. If you stand them up with the flaps attached to the floor with duct tape, they stand up on their own. Lee in GA
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If you backed the risers up nearer to the end of the gym...would it be possible to put a few screws (are they called eye-screws?) in the wall and attach a thin metal cable to the screws? Then you could hang paper or material from the wire to decorate.
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***********************************************************************PRIVATE STUDENTS PERFORMING AT CONCERT
6/01 Only a very few of my students take private lessons, and only one family asks me if Thad may play at the concert, with the other kids taking violin. His father accompanies him on piano and he does a nice job. It is not terribly intrusive to my concert and the pieces are played nicely and don't last too long. It has never been a problem for me. I encourage kids who learn outside school to join in what we're doing at school. For example, I run a combined choir/recorder club...just so happens to be the same kids, and I have them for an afternoon per week (1 1/2 hours). Every 6 weeks or so we have a "jam" session. In an orderly fashion we go around the room giving each child the opportunity to play something for everyone else. It can be something we've learnt at school or something from outside lessons. Once a particular student has started, if the others know the piece they can join in. The kids really look forward to this, and are keen to learn new pieces off their own bat for it. I've found that it's improved their listening skills and many are beginning to pick up playing by ear.In our concert, I include kids who have outside lessons, but the proviso is they play what we're doing for the concert, ie. I give them the music, in plenty of time, to learn. As I hear them play in our jam sessions, I know what they are able to handle.
So they accompany the choir, or play their instrument with the recorder group. Sometimes, I have asked them to bring their music books and I've been able to do it the other way around- we'll do something they are already learning.
I've found it doesn't add length to our already long concert, but still gives kids experience and encouragement to play for an audience-while those kids in the group who don't have/can't afford outside lessons are still on stage and the center of the performance.
This year I have one student learning bagpipes, so we'll be having lots of fun (key of Bb)!
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SPECIAL MORNING CONCERT: What my children's general music teacher used to do about students wanting to play songs from private lessons was- she had a morning in June where she would roll out the piano into the lobby, and students, having played their pieces privately for her, would sign up for a "share my music" time slot, and play in the lobby. Classes would sign up and come down to listen to perhaps 3 or 4 kids play. It was a nice end of year type of thing, and it gave students a chance to play for their peers without taking up concert time.
TRIED THIS SO WENT TO SEPARATE RECITAL: Many other parents [complained]. This would have doubled our concert time. We try to keep our concerts at 75 - 90 minutes. I decided that I needed to do something about this so I suggested that we have a recital night for these students. Not a talent show but a recital. It has turned out to be a delightful evening for everyone and has greatly boosted the number of students who take private lessons in my community. It is important that these students get to play for their peers but having a separate concert for large ensembles and a recital for soloists and small ensembles has been a solution for us. Whew! I didn't mean to ramble on so long. . . .
PERFORM IN CLASS: My students work toward earning a "free choice day" with good behavior in Music class. On these days each student can choose a favorite song or activity or perform for the class. Those who take private lessons (and some who don't...) can use this opportunity to play piano, violin, sing, etc. for the class. It's usually quite fun and the rest of the class gets to practice proper audience behavior.
PERFORM IN CLASS: I put up a sign-up sheet (one for each class) and explain that some people like to share their talents with others. If anyone wanted to do so, he/she could sign up and perform at the next music class - the first five minutes of the class was his/her time to show his/her talent. I love the responses and performances from this. I also let them invite one person from another class or from outside the school to come and be a part of the audience. I may run this for a month or so, then take the sign-up sheets down for the next six weeks or so. When this time has passed, I'll again post the sign-up sheets. Then we start all over again.
IMPROVISED! : My teaching partner had to leave the room because she couldn't stop laughing. I wasn't far behind, but I knew I had to hold it together for the sake of this girl's confidence. When she was (finally) done, my partner came back into the room, somewhat under control of her giggling. I, still trying to find the positive in this performance, told the class that this was an example of 12-tone music. Well, that was it...my partner ran out of the room trying to hold back her laughter. I wished that I could follow. At the end of that class, the little girl came up to me and said that she was glad that I liked her song, because she'd written it herself!
At our winter concert, I give students the opportunity to show off their talents in a pre-concert performance. Anyone can do this from the most accomplished to the very beginners. All they need to do is play for me beforehand so I know that they can play or sing something. Some of the students bring their teachers to play duets with them. others play Jingle Bells that their Gramma taught them to play by ear. It is really fun and...again...my audiences are very supportive of every level.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: I have had violinists, pianists, singers, band students, poem readers and recorder ensembles. Anything they do, they must prepare themselves. They play while people are coming in and being seated. At my 2 schools, I have between 1/2 hour and 45 min. of pre-program music...between 10 and 25 students.
For a number of years, I've let 4th and 5th graders do solo or small-group things on the last night before school is out. This could be something learned in a private lesson, ethnic songs from the Old Country, or just singing something we've learned in school "all by yourself." Sort of a last ditch opportunity for kids who have secretly dreamed of doing a solo to do so before the door closed.
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***********************************************************************PROGRAM BULLETIN
12/07 KEEPSAKE: As a member of the older generation who has seen so many tech things come and then go, what happens when everything is burned onto CDs and then that technology goes out of date and something new comes in? Paper does not go out of date...it will be readable many years from now. Think of the LPs, (even 45s and 78s), reel-to-reel tapes, 8 track tapes, cassettes, etc., which have all but become obsolete. To say nothing of our floppy discs (large, then later smaller) for the computers. And the change comes faster and faster. -- Louise Eddington, Muncie, Indiana--------------------------------
12/07 NAMES IN PROGRAM: Any student that has returned a permission slip stating that they will be attending the performance has their name in the program. I usually list the speaking parts, any solos, and then the chorus. I divide the chorus by classroom. It's easier to do that than putting 140 students' names in alphabetical order. --- Jason Skanes
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I put ALL of the names of the students in my program [leaflet]...yep, all 325 of them. I just added an insert. I think that the kids like to see their names in there as well as the parents and being from a poverty district, it is something special for the kids. I also had a professor in college that told us to put all of the students names in the program...although he never said why, I went along because I agree, some of my kids get very little recognition as it is. -- Kelly Howard
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12/07 DESIGN: I design a program leaflet with the song numbers, any pertinant song or historical information and usually include a poem and graphics to spice it up! --- Sandy Toms
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WASTE OF PAPER: There is a great concern about the paper used to print program leaflets.
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12/07 STUDENTS' NAMES: I do not include every student's name. I have around 135 at my larger schools. I do include the names of everyone who has a special part. --- Contributed by Kristin Lukow -- --
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12/07 STUDENTS' NAMES: I do include my students, but there are only about 65-80 names. I include them all, even if they don't show up, because they're part of the class. I also include my thank-you's. I just do simple front and back letter style programs, with the songs and "special parts" on one side and the class list and thank-you's on the other. If nothing else, it makes the kids who didn't have "special parts" feel more special. Unfortunately, it doesn't help eliminate the clutter of programs on the floor.....*sigh* --- Karen Stafford
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06/06 PUBLISHER: Microsoft Publisher this year! It is a part of Microsoft Office along with PowerPoint, Excel and Word. Publisher has WONDERFUL templates for making music programs. They look so professional. It only took me thirty minutes to make one of the nicest printed programs I've ever designed. - Monica Autry
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06/06 PRINT ARTIST: I use Print Artist and print each ‘side’ of the bulletin using the ‘landscape’ page setting. I always include notes on the songs (history if possible) and a poem. -- Sandy Toms
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06/06 DOTS! <
It's found under Format, then Tabs. From there, select tab position 7.5" (about the right margin position) and tab alignment right. Then where it says leader, select #2 or 3, whichever you want. If you do it right (and I always have to do a trial and error as I don't do it frequently enough...) after you type the title of the piece, you hit tab and then type the composer name, which will align from the right, with the leader dots between. -- Louise Eddington, Muncie, Indiana
06/06 It's found under Format, then Tabs. From there, select tab position 7.5" (about the right margin position) and tab alignment right. Then where it says leader, select #2 or 3, whichever you want. If you do it right (and I always have to do a trial and error as I don't do it frequently enough...) after you type the title of the piece, you hit tab and then type the composer name, which will align from the right, with the leader dots between. -- Becky Luce
06/06 Set tab stops with leader characters Select the paragraph in which you want to insert leader characters before a tab stop. On the Format menu, click Tabs. In the Tab stop position box, type the position for a new tab,
or select an existing tab stop to which you want to add leader characters. Under Alignment, select the alignment for text typed at the tab stop. Under Leader, click the leader option you want, and then click Set. For Help on
an option, click the question mark and then click the option.-- Joni Kotche
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KIDS' ART: About 12 years ago, the art teacher at our school suggested an alternative for the usual "canned" covers for our holiday program. I have used her idea every year since and it is a big hit.
Make a 'master" and print (or type) the basic info (title of the concert, date, time, place) - JUST the most important info. Don't make this TOO big. Put this at the center of an 8 1/2 x11 regular piece of paper. Run off as
many copies as you think you will need programs. Put on some peaceful holiday music in the background and have the CHILDREN decorate and color them with a holiday theme. BE SURE THEY PUT THEIR NAME
AND GRADE AT THE BOTOM. The end result is that each program has an individual cover. Parents and audience members love it and I have had a few cases where the recipient of the program wrote a thank you to the
artist! The kids were thrilled!
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***********************************************************************GETTING KIDS TO PROJECT THEIR VOICES
GETTING KIDS TO PROJECT THEIR SPEAKING VOICES: This may sound more than a bit strange, but my mantra for the kids always has been - "If it feels weird" (and then they answer) "you're doing it right!" In other words, it shouldn't necessarily be a comfort thing. We don't normally talk in this voice (and I demonstrate) but that's the only way you can be heard etc. etc. The other thing I have found is that the quicker you can get the kids on to the stage or to the actual performing space the better. THAT helps a lot. Give them a spot to talk to - for us it's the basketball hoop in the back of the Auditorium/Gym. Kids can't be expected to practice for weeks in a classroom for example and then magically be able to move to the stage and project accordingly with little practice. I have also, in desperation, videotaped them so they can see and hear (not!) what it all looks/sounds like. --- Sandi LairdMy favorite is to have the kids sit spread out around the perimeter of a large room - like the gym and say their parts - even for the very first reading. The get used to speaking loudly so they can hear each other. Tari in OH
I have found that telling them to "speak with all your energy" works better than simply saying be louder. I also work with speaking on the breath - pretty much the same as singing on the breath - which helps them to project. Do some physical warmups first, then do speaking exercises, sirens, owl hoots, puppy whimpers, and others that are similar to warming up for singing. I also tell them to send their sound through the wall to ... It always makes them giggle to think they are speaking to the people in the next room, but the mental image helps. ---- Monica Galinas
One, help them realize that loud FEELS different. Two, get them to experience the performing venue so that they have aural, vocal and physical references. Three, prove it to them with a video ---- Martha Stanley
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***********************************************************************RECITALS FOR SOLOISTS
My recitals are limited to 45 minutes max, and I usually try to keep them at 30 minutes total. If I think I'm going to have a large turn-out, I split the age groups. For example, my first recital would be for grades 1 -3, the second one for grades 4-6. We're a school of 500, so that usually takes care of it. I would NEVER put a child on stage without hearing them first. If they're not ready, either musically or emotionally, that's just setting them up to fail, and that's not fair to the student. This ties in with what I said about auditioning...everyone, no exceptions. My schedule is full enough without taking on extra rehearsals. So, groups of kids have to handle this themselves. My rule is that the kids (solos or groups) come to the audition "performance ready." That means with parts well-learned, any props, etc., etc. If they're not ready, I'll say something like, "Thanks for playing, SuzieQ. I could hear that you've worked hard on such and such a part. This other section is not quite ready for a performance yet - I hope you'll keep practicing for the next recital, which is _____________."--- Becky Luce in NHBACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************RETIREMENT
10/12 10/12 Check out different versions of "An Irish Blessing," 06/07 Albrecht and Althouse's "Go Forth With A Song"* is simple, with haunting chordal aprpeggios. We sang it for a retiring principal, but it would be appropriate as a solo, for your wishing the school to "carry on with music." *Alfred Publishing Co., Inc # 16284(2-part) #16283(SAB) -- Bonnie Skolnik---------------------------------
05/21 Over the last many years I have written retirement songs for everyone leaving. I usually take a familiar song for the tune (I have used Home On The Range, Jamaica Farewell, Sunny, Five Foot Two, Proud Mary, etc.) Then I write words custom made for the retiring person or persons. Sometimes I brainstorm with other staff members for ideas. For a nurse I can imagine there could be references to head lice checks. Anyway, it's always fun and the retiring people have always enjoyed them a lot.
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6/01 It's "Thank You" by Ray Boltz, and it's a Contemporary Christian tune. I found the accompaniment track at our neighborhood Christian Book Store. It's a very moving song! // I have the accompaniment track for "Thank You", the song is by Ray Boltz. The written music also appears in an easy book for choir called "More Contemporary Songs We Like to Sing" - which are easy anthems for volunteer choir that can be done in minimum rehearsal time.
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6/01 K-8 has a "Thank You" song, too. It's generic for any occasion, snappy, and easy to learn. (Plank Road Publishing) ---------------------------
6/01 Irish Blessing
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HAPPY TRAILS - available as a choral octavo that would adapt as a unison melody... Happy Trails Hal Leonard Corp. copyright 1994 Octavo # 08666098
I play "Happy Trails" at the end of every Dance Job that I play. I play every weekend. I play all of my songs by ear. I don't have the music for it, but would be more than happy to record it on a tape for you, if you tell me
how many choruses you want and which key you want it played in. I usually play it in the Key of F.
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TEACHER RETIRE: We have a wonderful tradition at our school. When a teacher announces their expected retirement, we pass out 8" squares of either Muslim or Aida cloth, to be stitched or painted or decorated in any way you want - and then they are all gathered and sewn into a retirement quilt, full of memories for the lucky person. My only worry is that when I finally retire, no one will be left to make one for me!!!!
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My daughter (also an elementary music teacher) loves quilting. When I retired a year ago, she surprised me with a quilt bearing the signatures of former students, former principals, former fellow teachers. She chose the
appropriate schoolhouse quilt, then coordinated some fabrics--sports for former softball players, music for fellow music teachers, etc. It's great--she embroidered my name, retirement date, and her name.
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When we had a student teacher who left (the kids LOVED her) I changed the words to I'm Grateful. We're Grateful for all that you are We're Grateful for all that you do.... and so on. It
brought her to tears.
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When my mom retired (1st grade), she had many aspirations. At a family reunion, my sisters and I dressed up and acted out Joe Scruggs' version of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain." It begins with: "When she retired, we thought she'd sit by the fire......." Very, very fun! It was a great hit.
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I rewrote "Free at Last" (musick8.com) and it was a big hit.
Something like this: Dear Mrs. Martin (yes it really was her name!)you've worked here for years in your class you had laughter and sometimes had tears but you taught them all and you gave them your best yes you taught
them all and now you've earned your rest...... Cause you're free, free at last.. well you get the idea! Just as people (myself included) were starting to sniffle we got to the chorus and belly laughed. Hope someone can use this
idea somewhere!
BACK to Retirement topics
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RISERS
12/09 FLIP FORM NOISE: At first the kids were noisy on them. BUt they learn real quickly how to keep their feet quiet. If a student has trouble and can't or won't keep quiet they move to the bottom floor row. Problem solved.. --- Luane Campbell------------------------
12/09 FLIP FORM STATIC: In the winter they have static. So once a week or so the house keeping sprays them with water and fabric softener. --- Luane Campbell
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12/09 RISERS OR NO RISERS: Just a tip - whenever you lend something semi big (price wise) to anyone, have the adult sign a contract that you write up (and sign) that says something like the adult is responsible for any repair or replacement costs for x item, and that the item must be repaired or replaced with one of equal or greater value by x date. Also include the condition of the item being loaned, and have the principal sign it as well. I had another teacher who is not involved sign it as a witness. Then when someone asks you to borrow something, let them know that they will be signing a contract with you and show it to them. I have had some people refuse, so they don't borrow whatever it was from me, but most people are more than willing because it protects everyone. This has helped me to keep the risers at my school in excellent condition, and I heard a story of someone who wanted to borrow them from me, but they wouldn't sign the contract, and they borrowed from another person and the risers were returned bent. If your principal gives you a hard time about it, let them know that you are saving them money and that you are saving them from safety concern calls from parents. --- Jennifer W. from OH
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11/08 ENTERING THE RISERS: I remember once seeing an ACDA Honor Boy Choir walk on stage row by row - walk across the front - turn as a row and face the risers and walk together up to the top and then turn. Then the next row walked in - same thing - they waited until all were on - turned as a row with their backs to the Audience and stepped up to the risers and then turned around. The Conductor gave them the directions when to turn etc. It was very effective and orderly. --- Kathleen Bragle
12/07 STATIC PROBLEM
[This is a huge problem in my room which is dry. I use the Wenger playright chairs.]
Here’s what I found:
1. *Dig out the old humidifier! Most people use humidifiers for infants or asthma-prone kids, but these quiet machines can be incredibly helpful in the dry winter months. Static comes when there is a lot of dry air--use the
humidifier to pump much needed moisture into the rooms of your house or business. *
2. *Moisturize your body. The air is not the only thing that's dry! Hand or body lotion after the shower will keep your dry skin
from picking up shocks.
* 3. *Touch metal to metal. Sick and tired of being shocked by the doorknob, the kitchen faucet or the towel rack? Sacrifice another metal element to the charge rather than your body. For
example, if you open a door, stick your key in the lock before turning the knob. The metal on metal will take on the shock, leaving you alone. *
4. *Be anti-static. This step is better utilized at work, but applies to any
environment. Buy anti-static mats and rugs and keep anti-static spray handy for an shock-free office.
* 5. *Go on a shopping spree. Well, not exactly. The truth is, static is much more attracted to synthetics. If your
closet has a serious lack of natural fiber clothing, it looks like you will get that shopping spree after all! The same can be said of PJs and bed sheets. If you're tossing and turning like a mosquito in a light zapper, try wearing
cotton PJs to bed or...dare it be said...nothing! *
6. *Rub it out. Dryer sheets are rumored to be wonderful eliminators of static electricity. Got some shocking panty hose? Give them a few swipes with a dryer sheet.
Sneak a fresh dryer sheet into your winter coat to avoid sparks from handshakes. This may also help when you're getting in and out of a car. And the best use for a dryer sheet? Rub a USED dryer sheet over your
television screen to reduce static electricity and keep dust away! * Tips & Warnings
*Work at a business that has a particularly bad static problem? Shop online for special "conductive" shoes. *
*Cancel the
potential shock by touching metal before you work on a computer. It's not likely that static electricity will harm a computer, but it's wise to take this precaution in the winter before you sit down to type. This same rule can
be applied to anything that has a memory card. Ipods, digital cameras, etc. Touch metal before using your gadgets to prevent serious damage. Especially if you're on an airplane. *
- *Touch metal before filling up your gas can! As with computers, there is a small opportunity for static electricity at the gas pump. Don't take any chances. * --- Patricia Albritton
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06/06 I use a small humidifier from home - then I use a spray bottle of water that I spray (about a quart of water) in the air on the carpet and flip forms. The last thing I tried was to go over the flipforms with a sponge mop
with water and a bit of fabric softener. About every other day - only takes a couple of minutes - that works. The school has ordered a commercial type of anti-static spray that isn't supposed to cause asthma attacks or
allergies to act up nor is it supposed to cause mold. -- Muriel in MN
07/05 When the kids discover that they can shock their friends by sliding their "bottoms" back and forth on the flip forms then touch each other, it is always such a lovely class with a lesson on static electricity. -- Roxanne in
Milwaukee
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If you have static problems, run a humidifier.
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Easy solution to static!! Hairspray! No kidding....just spritz a little on the carpet of the risers - static is gone!-- Pat Price
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I
would avoid the aerosol variety in the classroom. Aerosols are one of my asthma triggers. Perfumes and strong scents are too, so use unscented non-aerosol hairspray around a class of kids. Ardith J. Roddy, NBCT
----
For those of you with carpet risers: put some fabric softener in a spray bottle, add water (about half and half) and give a quick spray on the carpet. You have instant static control! (This also works if your
clothes are full of static electricity....just give them a quick spray.) Lynda in Alex, VA
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12/07 NO RISERS: Front row - seated "criss cross applesauce"
Middle row - on chairs
Third row - standing
Fourth row - on concrete blocks that you can get just about anywhere and aren't THAT
expensive. Hey, it worked for us for many years before we had risers. - Cak
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12/07 “STAGE RIGHT” RISERS: I love my Stage Right risers! They are called swans, and the steps fold up against the back. I have the 18" steps and the back rail guards. When we travel to do a convention concert, the
country transports them on a lift truck. When we perform somewhere else on campus, rather than the stage, we just fold them up and roll them to the location. They are not collapsible. LOVE THEM! -- Artie Almeida
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08/04 WENGER CHORAL RISERS: I "inherited" that setup in my last school. It worked very well. 2 kids on the top step of each, one on the middle step and two on the bottom. That way they all had room for their feet.
I gave each spot on the riser a number from 1-5, and called my 5 riser sections "E,G,B, D, and F." That made it easy for them to get into groups, line up, etc. - "Just the F section" or "all the #1s". -- Contributed by Judy
Schneider
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08/04 RISERS/SAFETY: As far as falling off the risers, that hasn't happened yet. Also with the Wenger Risers that I have, there is a safety rail that you can purchase. I have five for my entire set and the kids know that they
are not to hang on to it or play with it in any way. It really works for me. -- Contributed by Kathleen Bragle
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I've used my risers for daily seating all 11 years of my teaching. It works perfect for me. I have 4 risers, we only sit on the top and bottom row. I don't have chairs to move around, they don't have chairs to tip back, and the
risers take up a lot less space. It's very easy to have students stand when their posture starts to slide and they are always used to the risers so it's no big deal when we have a performance. It's also nice for having lots of
options when I need to separate into groups for activities (riser 1, riser 2, riser 3, riser 4, top row, bottom row, etc.). I do have very strict rules (walk on the floor to your seat - not across the risers, no leaning back - top or
bottom row, top row cannot tuck their feet under the middle row - had a boy do this, forget his feet were there, and fell flat on his face when he tried to stand, etc. . .)If they break the rules - 1st a warning, 2nd they sit on the
floor. Occasionally there is a 5th or 6th grader who complains about sitting on the risers. I think no matter what procedure you have for your class, there will be a 6th grader who complains!! -- Contributed by Pam Moser
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08/04 SICO: I bought my risers from this company. They may be able to piggyback your bid onto another counties to reduce the costs. Also remember to ask that they do not charge you for shipping and handling. This
company sent representatives that brought the risers in their own truck, took the cardboard boxes apart, set the risers up, (my head plant operator was so appreciative and IMPRESSED) and then THEY disposed of the
cardboard boxes. It was great for everyone. The company name is SICO and everyone (even traveling photographers that come to take group pictures of kids, have raved on the ease of rolling them and setting them up).
My teachers love them. If the person who wanted information on risers will email me, I can send a video that shows the risers as an attachment.
http://www.sicoinc.com/choral_risers.php -- Contributed by Patricia
Albritton
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08/04 RULES FOR KIDS ON RISERS! I don't have flip forms but I do have risers. My expectations are: bottom flat, feet flat or criss-crossed (they can switch back and forth as needed), and no jumping off. Students
who can't follow these expectations will sit on the floor. For seating arrangement I have students on the very top step and students of the very bottom step. No one sits in the middle step because the top row needs a place to
put his/her feet. I can sit up to 36 students and most classes are 25-32 students. At the end of the month we switch steps. The top moves to bottom and bottom moves to the top. At the end of the quarter they get new spots
all together. I like to have a variety so I like to change their seats. The students also appreciate it because then they know that they won't have to be next to a certain person all year long. -- Contributed by Tami
Mangusso
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02/03 WENGER: I am partial to Wenger risers. Their web address is: http://www.wengercorp.com/
They are easy to set up and take down. I have the tour master. Mine are about 8 years old and still function well.
They are heavy to transport between the school and other performance venues, but sturdy. Six sections will hold my 75 member 3 - 6 choir and will comfortably seat a class of 40.
Wenger has a new riser that comes
with a back already in place. Instead of folding flat on the floor, the risers lift up and lock for transport. The whole unit will fit through a standard door. Wenger is also the manufacturer of flip forms.
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02/03 We
got our risers from Wenger (3 wide/raised steps) with back rail (we have preschoolers) and they're great. Heavy but safe and 2 risers hold 34 kids comfortably (including the row of kids standing on the main floor).
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FLIP FORMS:
02/03 I have the WENGER TOURMASTER risers. I love them! They are carpeted and I also ordered the back railings. So far I have not had anyone faint and go backwards yet. I had several kids each year faint with my
old (backless) risers. I have to constantly tell my kids that they are not to lean on the back but that they are for their protection. My kids love these new risers. We have had them for almost 2 years now. They will last a
LONG time! I can actually put them up myself or with a couple of 4th and 5th graders. They actually show a lady rolling them around but it would take a little than a normal amount of power! I have them set up in the back
of my classroom and still have room for chairs around 2 rugs.
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My room of chairs, and the FlipForms have made my room a quieter, better place.
06/06 Wenger does have risers, but I found some that I liked even better:
http://www.sicoinc.com/choral_riser_3.php Click on the images and you can see the great features. Notice the locking connectors between sets of risers. They have a red handle. Also click on view product features. When I called them, they actually piggybacked my order onto another county’s order and gave me a great price. Ask them if they can do that. It doesn't change how your school or county orders at all, they just give you a discounted price. I chose the 3 step since the kindergarten teachers had a Christmas program every year and I didn't want the ones on the top to
be too scared to be too high up in the air. The guardrail flips down and is attached! It has 4 wheels, not 2, so you just roll it. No need to wheelbarrow the risers and possibly damage your back. The decks of the risers flip
around so you can make the diagram curved or just a straight shot. Look at the page if that is clear as mud. I LOVED mine! Oh, there used to be a video on the site above. I guess it's gone now. Here's part of what's on the
page above: Need a Change, Flip a Deck! With the popularity of music that deviates from the traditional choral configuration, Harmony Choral Risers help make changing deck arrangements a snap. A Harmony Choral
Riser isn't bound by the same deck arrangements that some other choral risers are. With Sico's exclusive deck lock, changes to deck position are almost instantaneous. Units can be converted from a curved set up to straight
line, or a combination of the two in a matter of moments. And because it's from Sico, you know that it has wheels! Moving each Harmony Choral Riser unit is easy thanks to the big wheels. Added
Peace of Mind A permanent part of every Sico choral riser is the attached security rail for the top row. This rail cannot be left off by accident or because it's too much trouble to put on. Additionally, one-inch deck overhangs reduce the chance of accidents. And there are no gaps between units for heels to slip through. Sico's unit-to-unit connector secures each unit together, attaching one frame to another. I went and looked at the Wenger risers and they have a child heigth crossbar. Four step riser with back rail (and I don't think it folds down like the Sico's do. The Sico's lock into place with a pin. Very securely!!! Also the connecting locks between risers. Again very secure!)
TOURMASTER: they do say they only have 2 wheels. If you have back problems and you can't have your plant operator do the setting up, then consider that.
TOURMASTER: I really adored those
risers. Even the kids could roll them without my having to worry they might get dropped. I put a big kid on each end and said follow me. We rolled right up onto the stage by the side ramp. -- Patricia
Albritton
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07/05 FLIP FORMS: I ordered them at the new school because I really really like them! I had them for 2 years at the old school and they still look like new, including the yellow (I got all four colors; blue, green, yellow, red). I also like that I can do different things with them (bridge, stage, 2 steps/3 steps, put one on top of the platform for added height). I have not had any problems with the yellow. I had not even had to wash them.
This year, with the 5th and 6th graders, I bought the same thing. I put four on each riser. Some of the kids are really big, so I put three on those risers or make sure the tallest kids are at the back. If a girl has a skirt, I let her have a chair. Just today we did Ghost Song and all of them laid on the riser steps on their backs and pretended to be corpses. It was fun to see them enjoying themselves as much as the little students in my old school did. And I was glad that I had the FlipForms for versatility. They like the risers and the cheerful colors. I have them sit two on top with feet on the middle level, and two on the bottom, with feet on the floor. Halfway through the 9 weeks, we switched and those on top moved to the bottom and those on the bottom to the top! They enjoyed that.
I have to add, though, that my class
periods are long (50 minutes) and I make sure to have them alternate activities so there is never a time that they "sit" for 50 minutes on the risers. We alternate between risers, to standing, to floor, to instruments... I have also
had no problem with the yellow ones getting dirty here with the older kids. I have a little hand broom that is available if they need sweeping. The kids just get the broom and take care of it for me. I dragged the risers over to
the big auditorium (I have 8 of them) and we have used them very, very successfully on the full stage. I have found these versatile, stable, durable, and colorful. Patty Oeste in AR
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02/03 FLIP FORMS: My PTA purchased 10 flip forms for our school last year. We love them and use them for everything. I keep 5 of them in the music room and 5 in the gym. The kids love getting up on them when they get their awards
at our quarterly awards assembly. (I even set some of them on their side to make an "office" for myself!)
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05/21 FLIP FORMS: I really like mine also - we have one of each color. They were at this building when I got there...and I like the colors. It does make it nice to say "this group stands on the red riser" or "go get
the cabassa off of the blue riser" etc... When I'm not using mine for performances, I set them up around my room to hold instruments. I have two set up just like normal risers - side by side - with claves, maracas,
tambourines, triangles, etc.... on them - all displayed beautifully (and makes for easy access when we want to use them).
FLIP FORMS: I also take two of the flip forms and lay them out completely flat and stack two on top of each other and use for a drum display (I got most of the REMO drums - doumbek, congas, gathering drums, hand drums, and others...so they look really cool since they all match!).
I set up my xylophones and metallaphones around the edges of these two stacked on top of each other - and it makes a wonderful Orff station at exactly the right height for most kids!!
05/21 I use my flip forms for seating and I have 6 sections. I have some huge 5th graders(who have been on the 2 year plan from time to tome) and they fit from 10-12 kids on 2 flip forms put together. I also have s few
chairs stuck around the room here and there for those who don't want to be that cozy. 30 kid work, but if you can get more--do it.
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05/21 FLIP FORMS: I've had a set of four FlipForms for about five years now and absolutely love them!!! I have one each of red, yellow, blue, and green. Yes, the yellow one gets dirty quicker than the others but they are all easy to
clean. About twice a year, one of the maintenance people takes them outside and hoses them down for me. The rest of the time I just use regular spray cleaner (409-type). I do have one spot of dark (blue, black??) crayon
on the yellow one that is proving to be tough, but we're still working on it.
I use the FlipForms in my classroom for seating every day, group rehearsals with more than one classroom, on the stage for performances either alone or in addition to our regular Wenger choir risers, platforms in my classroom for space to play games, do written work, movement (different levels make it so much more interesting!), etc. I'm sure that there are other things but it IS Friday night after a great Kindergarten performance of "Sounds a Little Fishy to Me" for which we used the FF's (only 2 of them) up on stage with the regular risers.
They are easy to move - had four 5th grade boys moving them off the stage, up the stairs, and back to my classroom just today. I'd recommend them to you. Think you'd enjoy and use them a lot. The only concern I've ever had was using them with the bottom step flipped up to make another row and having older students (6th grade and up) standing on that bottom step. It is not as strong in that particular configuration and the students need to be careful - no jumping or stomping. I've never had any breaks or cracks, but my imagination keeps telling me it's possible.
BACK to Riser topics
***********************************************************************RUSHING THE BEAT
12/16 Toss the clapping entirely (NO matter how strong of a group, over the years if we tried to clap along with recorded music in the auditorium, it goes wrong EVERY TIME. They can do it perfectly in class, but something about the speakers, three times as many singers, etc., throws them off.). The elbow bounce works beautifully, but I STILL have issues when we move to a performance setting! Ask whomever is running sound to crank it up a bit on the part with just the drums, they can back off when that part is over. Try your one group with the claps with the music cranked up for that section and the elbow bounces and see if it works. You can probably tell a couple measures in if it will be doable. When you conduct, the parts where they rush, toss traditional conducting out the window and conduct every word, Actually hold up your hands to stop them on rests, etc. Get them used to it NOW. It isn't a great option, but it DOES work! When we perform American Tears, I have to do that on the verses or they rush through rests, speed up, etc. I know that kind of thing is soooo frustrating!---- Jill in NC-----------------
Try adding an elbow bounce on beats 1 and 3 - when you separate your hands after the clap, do a cheerleader type elbows-back and down bounce.If that steady pulse can be established before the a cappella part starts you might have a chance at keeping it together. ---- Karen Reynolds
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***********************************************************************SCENERY & PROPS
11/08 FABRIC PANELS: You can pretty easily make "real" flats and scenery panels using 2x4s and muslin fabric. We make ours in rectangles with an extra 2x4 across the middle. Then we stretch the muslin across and staple it to the back. We use these over and over for our musical (6th-12th grades) each year, and they've been painted at least 5 times.--- Jennifer Schroeder Music/Choir K-12---------------------------------------------
11/08 FABRIC PANELS: My studio is small so I string a rope across the room and hang fabric backgrounds (about 12 feet across by 8 feet long) for different themes. I can reuse them. They roll or fold and are easy to store.Most of them are painted and lovely. Some are bought (made of plastic sheeting) and work well in my space.--- Susan
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11/08 PLASTIC PANELS: I discovered a few years ago that you can hang those cheap white plastic tablecloths (taping 2 together makes a square-sort of), from the back valances of the stage, and project colored pictures on overhead projectors which are placed BEHIND the tablecloths, (in other words, up against the back wall of the stage) Voila! Instant scenery. The pictures shine through the tablecloths onto the other side-you will have to reverse the pictures, of course. They're quite effective. I use coloring books (or computer prints) and run them through the thermafax on those clear plastic overhead things (sorry I don't know the technical term) and then color them with permanent markers. Thus when we are singing "Must be Santa" (for example)-there are three pictures being projected-one in the center of Santa and his workshop, and an elf on one side, and a Santa sled on the other side-total of 6 tablecloths, hung either side by side, or the outside ones angled towards the front of the stage. Obviously this cuts the stage a little short, since you have to allow space from the back wall for the overhead projectors, but they light up! And they can be changed with a flick of the wrist! --- Lynn Bivens
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04/03 FOAM BOARD: The kind used to insulate a house. You can get them at a hardware store. I think they're like 8 feet high by 4 feet wide. You can get them in different thicknesses. They're around $20 a piece, but if you take care of them they will last for years. We prime ours and then paint the scenery. The greatest thing about them is that they are incredible light.
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STYROFOAM: Never underestimate the POWER of a good styrofoam board!!! I am working with 5 of them now (4ft by 12 ft) and they will become houses and trees for next week's production. They are light, they don't bend, you can paint them, you can cut them, you can use hot glue on them. BUT, P.S. they taste awful! (cough, sputter - be careful when you cut them...)
The ones I use are 1 inch thick and cost around $6.85 each. I attach them to things (in this case my FlipForms) with that see- through tape.
---
STYROFOAM? I bought mine at Lowe's Home Improvement Center. Back there with all of the dry wall, etc. They come in 1/2 inch and 1 inch thicknesses. I bought the 1 inch for the sake of stability.
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FABRIC: At one of my places, I have steel poles (with an x for feet) and at another wood poles with a detachable cross bar for strength (this one comes apart into long pieces) and then a cloth backdrop that can be painted on or have paper (scenery) pinned on it. We use them every program. You need to get a handy person (I hesitate to say 'Dad' these days!) to assemble it for you.
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08/02 STYROFOAM: I had a boat for Peter Pan last spring. We built 36" wooden frames with feet, like scenery flats but long and short, and stapled foam core to it. We had a bow with a leaning lady at one end. We also had waves - same basic construction design, 12 and 15 inches high. They had strings at either end. Kids in the wings pulled them back and forth, in opposite directions, very slowly.
We hung a piece of net off the side with shells stuck to
it. Two kids lay on the floor between the waves and floated big plastic fish up and down. It looked freat from the audience and it was easy AND cheap.
I tell you, the audience would have paid money for dramamine!
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01/02 BROWN PAPER CHARACTERS: Here's an idea that worked for me one year. Cut out brown paper people from
a roll of brown construction (the kind they have on huge spools in our supply room) The people should be of a sort of "nebulous shape". I made them look like they were dancing or moving and not exact . No eyes or ears or hair--just shapes. They were large-about kindergartner size. I had the kids decorate them with sponge painting. Cut the sponges into hearts, peace shapes, star shapes, anything. Dip in paint and sponge paint all over the people shapes. Use a bright colored paper for the background and have your dancing "diversity people" pin wheeling and somersaulting across the backdrop.
I wish I had a photo of this because it was effective and easy and was a sort of " universal people" design.
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PIN ITEMS TO CURTAIN: We pinned all sorts of things to the back curtain of the stage: a giant earth in the center (with a big red bow tied at the top - like a huge ornament) with small flag markers noting the specific countries, large versions of each county's flag behind each K class, giant Santa Lucia wreaths, giant dreydl & menorah, BIG gingerbread & marzipan cookies, a huge kinora(?) and the seven key words for Kwanzaa, a huge sombrero, sarape & sombrero,
and a very long dragon kite, whose tail wound around the curtain. We also brough out
specific props (the fruit and real-life sized menorah and kinora, a pinata & bat, a girl dressed as Santa Lucia, etc.) as the narration told about each holiday.
USE VELCRO: For our school musical last year, we made a backdrop with single colour and a few generic items, like light hanging from the ceiling, door, etc, and then we placed velcro strips across the backdrop from one side to the other. Any extra things required for different scenes were stuck up on the backdrop with velcro. It saved on doing three or four backdrops for different scenes.
REFRIGERATOR BOXES: cut and painted. We've also hinged a series of two 4X8 sheets of plywood together and painted these. By far the easiest to use, store and move have the been the "flats" we've made. We took pine 1X4s
and made a frame, 6' X 6' (it could of been 4'X8', it depends on your needs). Then we took pieces of 1/4" masonite and made triangles (about 12") and screwed these on the 1X4s in the corners to hold the frame together.
Next we bought muslin from a theatre catalog and stretched the muslin across the frame (opposite your triangle side) and stapled the muslin to the back (the side with the triangles) Next you can either take a gallon jug of
white glue/mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with water or just latex paint and coat the entire flat. When it dries the muslin shrinks and gives you a nice tight surface.
Then [art class painted them.]I hinged two of these flats together
for one piece and eventually had 3 double flats that reached across my stage. They are a lot of work, but well worth the time. They are a dream to move and fold flat for storage. In fact I have two of these double flats in my
room right now while we are working on our third grade musical. Sorry this got to be so long, I hope that it might help. I've also taken fabric and hung it from the ceiling. It just depends on what effect you want and how
much time and money you want to spend. The flats are actually fairly cheap, just time consuming to make.
Cave: Our Kindergarten teacher glued the plastic 1 gallon jugs together to make an igloo. it is big enough for 8 children to go inside! .if you could paint those brown and add some greenery around it, it might work.
BACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************SCHOOL DAYS
Theme: "School Days"
Decorated the stage with an old-fashioned classroom (antique joined desks, chalkboard, school bell, metal lunch boxes, dunce caps) on one side and a contemporary classroom (computer on cart, markerboard) on the other.
K-3: School Days (traditional song)
Then, I wrote new verses for each grade level that reflected some of the
things they learn and do for fun in their classrooms. It was a big hit! (I
hope the copyright police doesn't get me!)
Kdg
"ABC song" (trad.) paired with "ABC Rock" from "Music Connection"
"Read Me A Story" from "Music Connection"; MK8's "I'm So Glad To Be Here"
1st grade: MK8's "UNO" with 12 soloists; "Dr Seuss, We Love You" from "Music Connection" (We did book choreography with every 1st grader holding a Dr. Seuss book.); MK8's "I Like School"; (Were going to do "Ride the Bus" but they had too much fun bouncing on their "bus" seats to ever really work on the song!)
2nd grade: MK8's "Read a Book" (Each 2nd grader picked a favorite book and their teachers printed the title on a template that looked like a book cover. Then they illustrated their favorite book and we posted these drawings on the walls of the auditorium for decorations.) "Report Card Rondo" from MK8 reader contribution (The kids LOVED this!) MK8's "Play the Drum" (Every second grader had an instrument. We divided into the four parts as listed with the song AND THEY WERE ABLE TO HOLD THEIR OWN RHYTHMS while the other sections were playing. I was psyched!)
3rd grade: MK8's "Information Age" with soloists and a robot wandering around Jokes about school to fill in the time while the robot was getting out of his costume; MK8's "Education Rocks"
Grades 1-2-3: MK8's "Never Stop Learning" with sign language on the chorus. (There were so many tears in the audience - mine, too.)
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***********************************************************************SCIENCE PROGRAM
By Ellen Beebe
1. Good afternoon/evening! We’d like to welcome you to our first concert of the 2002-2003 school year. This evening the 4th and 5th graders are ready to entertain you, to inform you, and even to surprise you. We hope you enjoy our program!
2. Hey, ___________________, I’m so excited! I’m so excited!
3. Why, __________________? What’s up?
2. Tonight’s our big concert, you know, to sing for our parents!
3. Forgot what?
2. Mrs. Haas said the concert tonight IS our homework, because…IT’S SCIENCE!
SONG: IT’S SCIENCE (MK8 reproducible kit)
4. I’m so glad we’re finally in 5th grade science because we get to study space.
5. I want to learn about rockets…
4. And stars…
5. And especially the planets.
4. I really want to know about Mars. Why is it red?
6. I do like learning about the planets. But what I really want to know is
how we can save the earth.
7. Me, too. There’s so much pollution. But what can we do?
6. There’s a lot we can do! We can pick up litter.
7. Not waste water!
6. Recycle!
7. And my favorite-PLANT A TREE!
SONG: PLANT A TREE MK8 vol 9 no 4
8. Did you hear that there’s a front moving in tomorrow?
9. The front of what?
8. A weather front, silly!
9. Huh? Whether or not what?
8. No, no! I’d better explain to you the NATURE OF WEATHER.SONG: THE NATURE OF WEATHER MK8 vol 11 no 5
10. We still haven’t talked about my favorite science topic.
11. What’s that?
10. I love studying the oceans. It’s so interesting to learn about currents, and about deep sea trenches.
11. And whales! I’d like to go swimming with a whale!
10. I think the next time I go swimming I’ll pretend I’m a dolphin. Now, what would I do IF I WERE A DOLPHIN?
SONG: IF I WERE A DOLPHIN MK8 vol 11 no 5
3. Okay, _____________________, I think I’m just about finished with my science homework.
2. Me, too! Did you know that…
[Student 12 interrupts by running across the front. He is stamping on imaginary bugs and netting others.]
2. _____________________, what are you doing?
12. My science fair project!
3. You can’t do your science project during our concert! Anyway, there are NO birds in here, so what are you trying to catch?
12. Can’t you tell? I’m looking for BUGS! [runs off]
SONG: BUGS MK8 vol 8 no 4
1.
Thank you for coming to our concert tonight! As you leave, please be alert-there’s SCIENCE out there!
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***********************************************************************SCRIPTS
08/14 Tons of Skits FREE !! http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/camp-skits.html READER’S THEATRE I got turned on to [this] many years ago when I saw the play Lion In Winter done in RT and was completely bowled over at how well RT can work. I've done it with kids a couple of time pre-Orff and we all liked it. Here is a great site for information and FREE RT plays for upper elementary and middle school Many of the plays are folk stories from other cultures. I found one that would be GREAT to do [with an ocean theme]. It has direct connections to opera and music and it's a good story.The site is http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/index.html
The specific story that is just so right for me is #14 - The Sea King's Daughter, a Russian folktale which was the basis for the Rimsky-Korsakov’ s opera, Sadko. The site says: "PREVIEW: A poor musician is invited to play in the Sea King’s palace, where he’s offered more than riches." Oh my - storms, dances, wind, love, instruments. ....... all available in the story to weave music and movement into. --- Martha Stanley]
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***********************************************************************SOUND EFFECTS
01/16 https://soundation.com/http://eng.musicshake.com/
http://teacherslovesmartboards.com/audio-resources/
http://www.soungle.com/
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I've purchased them directly from itunes. Sandy Toms
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***********************************************************************SOUTH AMERICA
(see also file #32 Multicultural Ideas"La Musica Latino Americana" Songs: San Sereni (trad. in Shirley McCrae book of Songs Around the World), Alla En La Fuente , Que Linda, Un Elephante, Mi Rancho, Naranja Dulce, Duermes Tu? (Are You Sleeping?), Asi Palmadas, Palmadas Una Vuelta, Muy Pequeno El Mundo Es (It's a Small World), De Colores, Guantanamera (most of these found in Spanish Song books at library)
Instrumentals: Tres Hojitas Madres(in Orff pub.: "De Colores"), La Tarara (this I arranged)
Also created a drama with instruments from a Aztec legend: "How Music Came to the Earth" (title of storybook in library - I wrote a brief script, translated some of it to Spanish and the class improvised instrument parts for
story elements)
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***********************************************************************SPEAKING PARTS
My famous last words are "If it feels strange, you're probably doing it right!" I'm working with high school kids right now , accompanying and coaching them for a competition. I started to say this on Friday and the student whom I was working with, whom I had taught in grade school, finished the sentence for me !!! It's true. We DO do things when we sing and speak in a performance that we are not used to doing!
Additional things that have worked for me: Have the child clap each and e-ve-ry syl-la-ble as he or she speaks. This will definitely slow them down. Also, demonstrate the difference between a conversational voice and an announcing voice. I tell them if they over pronounce until it sounds "stupid" to them, the back rows will hear and the audience will think it sounds perfect.
I'm performing the very same one this week! I never get to spend enough time on the speaking parts as I like, but things I've found to help are 1) Give them a specific hand motion to go with a word that they should emphasis. For instance - when the rooster says "I know you're something Guerny, so go ahead and moo" I have him shake his finger at the cow. 2) Make sure speaking parts are well miked. I use overhead choir style ones, but the little kids never speak loud enough for them to be effective. I can always understand better when they are talking right into a mike. 3) If you have a system or even just a kareoke machine in your room, let them practice during class. 4) It also helps to pick the kids who are full of personality to do the speaking parts. I'm always surprised at the creativity my hams have when they have a speaking part to do!
One little trick that has served me well is to video tape them or even put on a cassette player and tape them. The students often feel they are speaking slowly and loudly enough. When they hear themselves on tape - cassette or video - they often see things differently. Or should I say HEAR things differently. Another solution might be to invite someone to come and see/hear a rehearsal and give feedback. Good luck!!! You know we've all BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT
I think a big key is modeling. I also don't let them off the hook until it is right. I'm very stubborn about this - I will say "One more time" one hundred times until they get it right. I have seen teachers use cue cards in front of the kids to remind them to "SLOW DOWN"! or a big ear printed on a large posterboard or a smiley face if they are too serious-looking.
I sometimes have the main characters take turns sitting in the back of the room during rehearsal. Then they can see for themselves how important it is to speak up. They seem to pay more atention to that than they do to me
or their parents.
-----------
When I do a program with speaking parts, I always have each student speak their part into a tape recorder. Once they have to listen to themselves and each other, they understand what I mean when I say S-L-O-W down.
Video taping a practice is also effective. So often they think thay are being slow and expressive, until they have to listen and realize they can't understand themselves!!
Do this with the child as they read their lines and you will laugh together! It really works, at least for us ! Have them tape record themselves saying their lines or tape them yourself. Many times they will hear what you want them to hear right away. Our Auditorium is also a Gym so I always have the children try to project their voices to the basketball hoop!
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***********************************************************************SPRING IS HERE
Kindergarten spring show: great for Mother's Day tea; Duration: approx. 8 min. Cast:3 dancing raindrops; 3sleeping flowers; 1 Mister Sun; 1 rain cloud; 3 birds; "umbrella kids" (rest of students)
Script:
(at beg. flowers are sleeping by back wall, sun is standing by side wall with cloud in front blocking him/her, raindrops are by other side wall, and birds are waiting outside the door); (umbrella kids gather in front/center)
all: This is a show called, Spring is Here, starring Mrs./Miss/Mr.______'s class(es).
the songs: Z = quarter rest
Pease porridge hot (s m-m s Z) Pease porridge cold (s m-m s Z)
Pease porridge in the pot (s m-m s-s m) Nine days old (s m s Z)
Some like it hot Some like it cold Some like it in the pot Nine days old
Rain rain go away (s m s-s m) come again another day (s-s m-l s-s m)
Spring is here. Spring is here. (s-s m s-s m) Birds and flowers now appear. (s-s m-l s-s m)
Here's the
physical arrangement of the show: The piano, if used, can be on the stage or over near where you are going to be stationed during the show. It stays behind the back curtains until needed during the show if possible. A mike
on a stand sits on the stage, and another for me sits on the floor in front of the stage. The sound equipment for playing Cd's, tapes, etc., should be near you if you are operating it, or somewhere else close if you have a happy
5th grader or an adult taking this job. Assuming you've auditioned the kids and you know what's actually gonna be on the program, collected the information you need from the application forms and you know exactly
what each act will require: names of performers, CD/tape player, mike, piano accompaniment, scores, instruments, tumbling mats, etc: the week before the show (or at least a day), you're ready for the next step. B E F
O R E - T H E - S H O W (First): The role of the 5th grade helpers
is multitasking and how. ****** Mark the stage floor with big tape x's where the curtains should stop when they're half open, and fully opened. Fully opened is sometimes more attractive when it's not quite fully opened. Check it
from the audience to see. ****** Make at least 3 copies of the following information, in the order of performance (4 is often useful). One gets posted on the wall where the kids will be pulling the curtain cords, one gets
posted where I'll be standing, one gets posted by the door backstage where the performers enter the state. Use an open manila folder and a sharpie --- strong, bold, and easy to read in low light and when you're pressured.
This works a LOT better than typing it out - believe me on this. In the act column: write the name or description of the act and the names and info of each performer. ****** Using the chart you just made,
determine every single thing you need to have on the stage/in the cafeteria for the show. Make a separate list of what you'll need to bring from your classroom and a list of what you'll have to get elsewhere. Put a star next to
the items that you'll need to haul to the stage after school that day. Find helpers to help transport stuff during the day. Put as much stuff on the stage the day before the actual program. ******* Using the chart and the
design ideas that you've been carrying out on all your talent show publications (audition forms, info to parents, etc. - see original posting), create a program to pass out to the audience. Save a spot for all the thank-you's that
you'll put on - find some even if you have to scrape - it looks good for you to look gracious. Get the program duplicated a few days ahead and find some students to fold them...... or better yet, design the program so that it
doesn't need folding! Don't wait for the last minute on this - it can drive you nuts! Give every teacher and the office a copy of the program. Good PR and everyone will know who's in it. This can save a zillion dumb
questions, by the way. Post a copy in the media center for the kids to see, and in other places. Use them as in-school publicity. ****** Using the chart again (handy, isn't it!), on index cards, with a sharpie, write the
names of each performer and the act number. Put the number in a big circle for emphasis. Ex: Susan Alonzagado, 3. If you have four students in one act, you will make 4 cards.Here's what you do with them. This is another
key factor in my do-it-by-yourself Talent Show.The performers sit in the front rows of the auditorium IN THE AUDIENCE -- Contributed by Martha Stanley THE GUIDELINES: The show will last only 50 minutes. 45 is better. THE APPLICATION: The application
indicates deadlines and appropriate acts and also a form that includes: student name, teacher name, name of act, other students in the act with you, a list of all the things you need to bring from home with you, things you need
the school to provide (CD player, music stand, etc.)and a place for parents to sign. I add this for the parents: THE REMINDER NOTE: I send home a reminder note to the auditioners so they don't forget their stuff. I get three to a page. It says: Dear ________: If you are not ready at your appointment time, you will not be able to be in the Talent Show. THE AUDITIONS: Auditions are during their regular music
class two weeks before the show. If they forget their stuff, and are properly contrite, repentant and they grovel well, I'll usually give them a chance the next week. Sometimes I'll invite the child/ren in before school, but I don't
tell them that ahead of time. If it's an act that needs adjustments to be acceptable, I coach them and give them another week to try out. This is supposed to be a positive learning experience after all. LETTING THEM IN OR LETTING THEM DOWN EASY: If accepted, they have another week left to practice some more, get costumes, etc. THE CONGRATULATIONS NOTE: I send home
a note to every child scheduled to be in the show so that parents can try to make it. It's usually during school because evening transportation is a big issue. This way all the kids at school get to see it, if their teacher signs up
to come. Our media specialist broadcasts it over ITV for any classroom which wishes to see it. Also this keeps out the big brothers and sisters and the general rabble looking for a good time that we have experienced at
night performances. THE CERTIFICATE: I give every child a certificate for performing. THE PERFORMANCE: I also have the performance set up so that all I need are about 5 5th graders to help me run the
show.
01/02 At our church's talent show, we had a group of women who started to sing "I
Feel Pretty" from West Side Story. A little into the song another group of
women walked in to join the song.....except they were men in the church
dressed up like women! So hilarious to see your pastor in dress, hat and
matching purse. Or one of the other men w/balloons filling out his front!
Of course, they really hammed up the singing and the congregation cracked
up! The best part, according to the REAL women singers, was that once the
men walked in, no one really paid any attention to the singing!!
Themes are fun, too. We had choir practice the night of the big skate
off between Tanya and Nancy and Oxana in the winter olympics back when.
Remember the big scandal and the tears, etc? It was such a big deal
that we brought televisions into rehearsal that Wednesday night to see
the final programs. (300 plus choir members stopped everything to watch
Tanya Harding skate.) We wrote a hysterically funny skits for the next
rehearsal....My husband and I got to be Torvill and Dean (Toenail and
Spleen). Remember how they won that year after being out of the loop for
many years? They started their routine to "Bolero" kneeling and flapping
their "wings". We did that, but never got up! In fact, when we stood, we
had a very difficult time doing it...Great fun! We had Petrenko (El
Stinko) and Oxana (Oxymoron) and...well, you get the idea!
"Dear Parents,
In an effort to make our Talent Show the best ever, a few changes have been made in the try-outs. Please review these with your child(ren).
1. Please explain to your child that try-outs are the process by which we choose the best performances. Your child may not be chosen to perform in the Talent Show just because he/she tries-out.
2. A performance must be choreographed if there is dancing. All steps must be memorized. This means just moving to the beat of the music is not enough.
3. All lyrics to music used must be appropriate for school. There may not be any suggestive or inappropriate verbage. Just because the kids listen to it on the radio does not mean it will be allowed in a performance.
4. Please work with your child on their performance. Give suggestions to help make it better and be sure you see it before he/she comes to try-outs.
5. Feel free to perform with your child! It's great to get both parents and their children on stage. We have had parents sing, play the guitar and dance with their children. Use your imagination and get involved?
6. Lip syncing to a song is not really a talent. Please do not send your child with a tape or CD to sing along with Celine Dion, etc. If your child wants to sing, I will be happy to accompany them on the piano, if music is
provided. You may purchase a karaoke tape that allows the voices to be removed and only your child's voice will be heard. That is where the real talent shines through.
7. Please fill out and sign the form below that allows your child to try-out. This paper is your child's admittance to try-outs. Without it, students will not be allowed to try-out.
Signature: etc. ...............
The Talent Show is a big deal at my school and every year it gets a little
"Biggar and Better".
Musical Acts:
Kids playing songs on the piano!; Kids singing!
2.Take Me Out To The Ball Game (music k-8 ball players playing ball, peanut and cracker jack vendors and of coarse kazoos.)
During the decade of 1910 Americans continued to enjoy the variety of past times. However, now they would be entertained by the first silent film. The fun came to a screeching halt with the sinking of The Titanic in 1912
and the beginning of World War I in 1914. With the outbreak of war, patriotism was at an all time high.
3.You're a Grand Old Flag (music k-8, flags marched up and down the aisles. The choir threw out a big flag at the end.)
The ending of World War I began a celebration as we entered the "roaring "20's." Women were granted the right to vote. The first Winter Olympics took place, and Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. People were living life
to the fullest until the crash of the stock market, which brought about "The Great Depression."
4.Side by Side (hobo dancers) The air of gloom continued into the 30's as people suffered through "the dust bowl," The Hindenburg exploded and the Nazis stormed Europe as World War II began. The movies now with
sound helped brighten the dismal life as color hit the big screen for the first time.
5. We're Off to See the Wizard (Dorothy, scare crow, tin man, lion) In the 40's World War II was ending. Scientists made lots of discoveries
and created new inventions such as the first transistor radio and the first computer. TV broadcasting on a regular basis began in the Unites States. The country strived to be the most intelligent in the world as emphases were
put on education.
6.Swinging On a Star (motions, stars, moon, donkey, pig, fish and monkey) The 1950's brought about yet other changes in America's social life. Disneyland opened. Rosa Parks sat at the front of the bus. McDonald's
opened allowing house wives the break they deserve. Sputnik launched into space as Elvis launched millions of women's hearts with his songs rising to the top of the charts.
7.Rock Around the Clock (8 couples danced with the poodle skirts and jeans. They want to do it again for the talent show. HMMM at first they wouldn't even hold hands.) The 60's rebelled against the idealist 50's as the
civil right movement marched on. The country was ripped at the seams with the assignations of JFK, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. The "long haired" Beatles took The United States by storm. The flower child
generation wanted their voices to be heard as they spoke out against the Vietnam War with their message of peace and love.
8.Puff the Magic Dragon (art teacher made a great looking Puff head) After the first man, Neil Armstrong, walked on the moon in 1969 the 70's began a little more optimistically although the Vietnam War continued. Star
Wars took off at the box office. The first test tube baby was born. With bellbottoms and polyester disco hit the floors. Although disco was the rage somehow a brother/sister act successfully came on to the scenes as the
Carpenters sang songs that touched the heart.
9.(Sing Sang in spanish the 2nd time through, could also do sign ASL) The 80's was a mix of good and bad. John Lennon was shot, the aides' epidemic was diagnosed, and The Challenger exploded as the nation watched.
On a much happier note Diana, a common woman marries The Prince of England, Haley's Comet reappeared, and The Berlin Wall came down. Whitney Houston climbed to the top of the charts with her song that sent a
personal message to all.
10.The Greatest Love of All ( used scanned pictures of the kids when they were small. Put them in a power point program on the computer and flashed them on the wall while they were singing.) The 90's are what we
remember well. They say that we should learn from our mistakes and the 90's have been full of them. The U.S. Troops were in the Persian Gulf. Oklahoma City was bombed.
11.Go the Distance (used several solos) With all the changes we have seen in the last 100 years from the invention
of the automobile to traveling around the world in less than a split second through cyberspace, we can only dream and imagine what we will be able to accomplish in the next century.
12.We Are the People of the 20th Century (music k-8 used the slides)
I got the history facts another teacher helped me with the script. Well she did most of it. It was a huge success!!!
5th grade chorus' Valentine's dessert Theatre. It was so amazing last night. They sang beautifully (I have the best 5th grade I have had in years!) and the kids LOVED the old songs; I even got some of them to waltz on Daisy
and do the Charleston on Music,Music,Music! . I promised them that if they trusted me, their audience would love the show. It all proved true! We served 500 desserts at the show. Parents said it was the best show ever.
Whatever will I do with my 3rd grade in May now?
Here is the final program, where I got each one, and some notes: (By the way, each 5th grade class decorated a GIANT paper heart with odds & ends (lace, metallic papers, wrapping paper, etc.)which was used as part of
the scenery.)
Love Songs through Time: Military Medley (Army, AirForce, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. The lyrics are listed at the site, no preview.
http://www.classroomclassics.com/products/heroes/ ----Kristin Lukow OUR FLAG: OUR LAND OUR HEROES OUR VETERANS OUR HOPES
UNITED WE STAND, UNITED WE SING
Salute to Veteran's 2001 Dedicated to the Heroes of Sept. 11, 2001
Last year I had a "choir" of parents, teachers, grandparents, sing a song entitled "Teach the Children to Sing". It was a barber-shoppy kind of song and they sang the first part alone, a'cappella, and then the kids joined in at
the end. It went over very well! I can see it being a great idea for your "end of the century" concert. Also, in 1995, in celebration of the end of WWII, we did a "USO Show" complete with our own Bob Hope doing jokes
and lots of Irving Berlin, Andrews Sisters, etc. It was such a hit! We invited veterans and sang the Armed Forces Song. What a tear-jerker! We had a couple of the veterans sing soloes and we all sang "God Bless
America" together. The whole veterans program has continued to be an annual thing and we will use it along with the millennium theme this year.
This is a great idea! So many of the songs from this era are so singable. Get Grandparents involve with ideas, thoughts and favorite songs. Also, they might have some memorabilia they would be willing to share. In the
musical, "In Grandma's Attic" the second act is concluded with a song called, "Love Letters" which is a song about the reality of wartime told through a series of letters the children find in an old military cap they found in the
attic trunk. Never a dry eye in the audience! The song is neither maudlin nor violent. It is about being afraid, lonely, cold and pledging themselves (grandma & grandpa) to each other forever.
If you would like to use this song, I could produce a copy of this single song through my company, Multi-S Music. The price for the music would be $4.95. Just let me know! Rachel Baker Ford Multi-S Music Company
3317 Knights Haven Lane Garland, TX 75044-5429 email: [email protected] Toll Free: 1-800-530-7360 Access Code 66
In 1995, we did a "USO Show" and used a "Bob Hope" character and did many Irving Berlin tunes. Acted out "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning" with guys in long white boxers and a bugler; Mairsy Doats; the
"Andrews Sisters" with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
If you like to plan AHEAD or just like to file stuff away for future use, this a very educational web site for Veteran's Day:
I couple of years ago I incorporated a Veterans Salute into my Holiday program and it was a tremendous success. The veterans we invited were really moved by the tribute as were the rest of the adults on hand. We had a
presentation of the colors (by the Coast Guard Color Guard from our local base), we all said the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang the Star Spangled Banner. This was followed by Reveille being played by a man dressed
in a Civil War uniform. (There is a re-enactment of battles here locally on Labor Day so this man had the uniform and bugle from doing that) The 4th and 5th graders then sang a medley of each of the military branches
marches - "The Army Air Corps", "The Marines' Hymn", "The Caisson Song", "Anchor's Aweigh", "Semper Paratus". The kids really enjoyed singing them. Two poems were read by students - "Remembering Day" by Mary
Wight Saunders and "A Song for Heroes" by Edwin Markham. We topped it all off by singing together "America the Beautiful". It was great! A real crowd pleaser.
The quickest and easiest way to put together a Veteran's Program (imho) is to simply have a sing-along. We are required in Washington state to have a half hour of instruction. I spend a little time in class introducing the older
kids to the songs, teaching the younger ones the refrains or parts they can learn, motions, etc. We tie all the songs together with narration read by students. No class has to get any song ready for performing alone. Many of
the songs are repeated each year so the kids look forward to them and it is simply a review to get ready. The words are on the wall of the gym and all the adults can join in also. Every years I look for a new song or two,
add a choir number and band performance and - there you have it. I look forward to this event because it is a wonderful excuse to review the patriotic songs that kids should know. Working on them every year to sing for
the Veterans whom the kids invite makes it meaningful.
Check in the office at school for "carnival supply catalogs". A lot of times they'll have a "gross" of those 4" x 6" flags (144 flags) for something like $12-$20. Love your ribbon idea. I do this every year with all my 4th
graders (180-200) in the biggest auditorium in town. The CAP (Civil Air Patrol) often presents my colors although I have used veterans groups. We always sing all the armed forces anthems (including "Semper Paratis" -
coast guard) and have attending veterans stand for their service and get applause. We sing 2 songs from each of the following wars: Revolutionary, Civil, WW I & WWII. This year I'm considering some modifications.
"America the Beautiful" with sign language is very stirring. Simple signs available through supplimentary book that comes for grades 3 & 4 in the "Share the Music" Series. Also, I always get a local trumpeter to play "Taps".
Tears really flow. In WWII section we do "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (about 1/2 of it.) The 1st year I did it, I though "Oh, these kids can't learn this --- I have trouble with the words myself". Well, ofcourse, it was
the first thing they memorized! The just love it. Maybe 3rd graders could handle it. Some years I've had kids
hand out certificates of appreciation to the Vets in the Audience.
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1.You're a GRAND old flag you're a high flyin' flag and forever in peace may you WAVE**
Instructions:
I do a very intensive history unit in preparing my yearly vet's program. I talk about each branch of the service and their job. I also talk about the history and vocabulary related to the songs we sing. This year I got a copy of
"The Wall" (Reading Rainbow) and showed just 2 or
3 minutes so the students would get a chance to see the Viet Nam Veteran's memorial wall in D.C.
Name of Veteran ___________________________________
I then had to cut out and put up the wall. I have a "title" sign on the wall. I put it on 2 of my portable bulletin boards (8' X 4'). The kids are so excited! They look for their "bricks" and are fascinated by other peoples. The
kids that brought the bricks back in a timely manner also had them read aloud briefly by me in class.Many of them will never see the Viet Nam memorial in person, but now they have some of the "Feel" of it. By the way, my
program includes the following: Presentation of the Colors (by CAP group), pledge to the flag, "The Star Spangled Banner" (which I require the kids learn by heart in 4th grade), the songs of all 5 services and the national
guard (where we honor our vets by having them stand and clap for them), "Taps" played by a bugle player as we have a moment of silence for those who died in battle, Yankee Doodle, When Johnny Comes Marching
Home, Dixie, Battle Hymn of the Republic, It's A Long Way to Tipperary, Over There, The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B, & God Bless America. My opener is "Sing America, Sing" (John Jacobson) and closer
is "Fifty Nifty" (Ray Charles). I love rehearsing this program. We do a lot of hand movements. The kids love these songs and so do their parents and grandparents. Its a win, win, win kind of program.
Presentation of colors-Naval JROTC (hopefully)
Veterans' Day. Some of you asked for my final line up, so here it is.
There Are Many Flags in Many Lands Holiday parties and carnival hijinks, Offering spouses for moving and lifting, School store and front desk and book fair and more These are a few of our favorite things Helping
with math facts and washing lost jackets, Reading in hallways and stapling packets Treats for teachers, Smiling faces, You bring
happiness
I also did the Veterans Wall idea from MK8 and this was an extremely big
hit. We had hundreds of construction paper bricks, some even going back to
the Revolutionary War. We had every major conflict represented.
I have taken the Veteran's day story straight from the booklet put out by
the Veteran's Administration (ask your principle about this, our school is
sent one every year to our principal and she just puts it in my box) and cut
it up into parts and had students read it.
I have used the Red White and the Blue from
Plank Road, which has some good stuff in it...along with God Bless
America...we can do that here in the South. also I have invited veterans
related to my singers to come and be honored, and announce their service and
have them escorted to the front with their child/relative or friend. This
is very nice, and very moving, especially to those veterans. I found that
my students didn't really know what Veterans Day was for until we did this
presentation. I also had the two best essays read by the students on "What
Veterans Day means to Me", along with a color guard from the US Marine Corps
who did the presentation of the colors while we sang the Star Spangled
Banner. Man, are they impressive.!!!
--------------------------------------
"The Light That Shines In Me" ; Song of Thanks - Raffi can be (nearly) instantly arranged for Orff instruments and 2 parts. It's self evident just by listening to it. It's probably 15 years ago since I saw the record (see....a
record...not tape, not CD!)
Volunteers: We had a 50's theme a few years ago, and sang "We Go Together" from Grease. We even asked the volunteers to wear 50's clothes to the event if they wanted to....and we all danced at the end. We did the
Hand Jive , etc. We changed words to a couple of other 50's songs for the event. Another one we have used is "There is Nothing Like our Crew" (To There is Nothing Like a Dame) A wonderful new song "I Am The One"
by Christy Cari Miller- In the middle children sing "and you have been there to guide me through, I'm who I am because of you, because of you. . . ." It has a very catch melody and is very upbeat. It also gives kids a great
sense of self when they sing "I am the one, spectacular, I am a bright and shining star. I am the one, unique and free, I am the one and only me." Title: Festivals Author: Jean Gilbert Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0 19 3212854
At our sing-a-long assemblies on the last day before vacation (12/23) we used your free music(mk8) - "Everyone Deserves A Home" and "Lend A Helping Hand" in conjunction with a school-wide food drive.
Last year I had a "choir" of parents, teachers, grandparents, sing a song entitled "Teach the Children to Sing". It was a barber-shoppy kind of song and they sang the first part alone, a'cappella, and then the kids joined in at
the end. It went over very well! I can see it being a great idea for your "end of the century" concert. Also, in 1995, in celebration of the end of WWII, we did a "USO Show" complete with our own Bob Hope doing jokes
and lots of Irving Berlin, Andrews Sisters, etc. It was such a hit! We invited veterans and sang the Armed Forces Song. What a tear-jerker! We had a couple of the veterans sing soloes and we all sang "God Bless
America" together. The whole veterans program has continued to be an annual thing and we will use it along with the millenium theme this year.
This is a great idea! So many of the songs from this era are so singable. Get Grandparents involve with ideas, thoughts and favorite songs. Also, they might have some memorabilia they would be willing to share. In the
musical, "In Grandma's Attic" the second act is concluded with a song called, "Love Letters" which is a song about the reality of wartime told through a series of letters the children find in an old military cap they found in the
attic trunk. Never a dry eye in the audience! The song is neither maudlin nor violent. It is about being afraid, lonely, cold and pledging themselves (grandma & grandpa) to each other forever.
If you would like to use this song, I could produce a copy of this single song through my company, Multi-S Music. The price for the music would be $4.95. Just let me know! Rachel Baker Ford Multi-S Music Company
3317 Knights Haven Lane Garland, TX 75044-5429 email: [email protected] Toll Free: 1-800-530-7360 Access Code 66
In 1995, we did a "USO Show" and used a "Bob Hope" character and did many Irving Berlin tunes. Acted out "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning" with guys in long white boxers and a bugler; Mairsy Doats; the
"Andrews Sisters" with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
Last year I had a "choir" of parents, teachers, grandparents, sing a song entitled "Teach the Children to Sing". It was a barber-shoppy kind of song and they sang the first part alone, a cappella, and then the kids joined in at
the end. It went over very well! I can see it being a great idea for your "end of the century" concert. Also, in 1995, in celebration of the end of WWII, we did a "USO Show" complete with our own Bob Hope doing jokes
and lots of Irving Berlin, Andrews Sisters, etc. It was such a hit! We invited veterans and sang the Armed Forces Song. What a tear-jerker! We had a couple of the veterans sing solos and we all sang "God Bless
America" together. The whole veterans program has continued to be an annual thing and we will use it along with the millennium theme this year.
This is a great idea! So many of the songs from this era are so singable. Get Grandparents involve with ideas, thoughts and favorite songs. Also, they might have some memorabilia they would be willing to share. In the
musical, "In Grandma's Attic" the second act is concluded with a song called, "Love Letters" which is a song about the reality of wartime told through a series of letters the children find in an old military cap they found in the
attic trunk. Never a dry eye in the audience! The song is neither maudlin nor violent. It is about being afraid, lonely, cold and pledging themselves (grandma & grandpa) to each other forever.
If you would like to use this song, I could produce a copy of this single song through my company, Multi-S Music. The price for the music would be $4.95. Just let me know! Rachel Baker Ford Multi-S Music Company
3317 Knights Haven Lane Garland, TX 75044-5429 email: [email protected] Toll Free: 1-800-530-7360 Access Code 66
In 1995, we did a "USO Show" and used a "Bob Hope" character and did many Irving Berlin tunes. Acted out "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning" with guys in long white boxers and a bugler; Mairsy Doats; the
"Andrews Sisters" with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
FIFTH GRADE CHORUS 10:00 AM (Successfully held 2 parts!) John Henry Fourth Grade Winter Concert
Program
There is a song called Winter Fantasy in the Macmillan series that is a partner song for Jingle Bells...... We sing it every year at our concert.. Bright and cheery. It always sounds great!
"Snow Day" and "A Perfect Winter's Day" from MK8 are both great songs!
Regarding the SNOW theme, one year we did the Japanese folk tale, "New Year's Hats for the Statues." It's in a book called "Snowy Day." (NOT the Ezra Jack Keats book of the same title. This one is a collection of short
stories and rhymes about snow.)
What about using balloons or making paper mache balls over balloons. If you don't have room to store it afterwards you could raffle it off after the concert. Another suggestion is what we did one year with Frosty the
Snowman. We had a life size poster we built on a freestanding chalk board or stage flat and then we threw some glitter and out from behind stepped a LIVE snowman ( a student dressed in white baggy sweat suit that we
stuffed and made a hood/head piece to match) He was the hit of the concert!
Off top of my head for snowman - they could wear a white sweatsuit and stuff white kitchen bags around them (with newspaper or whatever); Santa Claus - for my son I bought a cheap huge red sweatshirt (just adult size
really) and pants. I made "Buttons" out of cardboard and glued them on. (I think I covered them with black fabric). I borrowed an adult wide black belt. I found some fake white fur and sewed it around the cuffs and collar.
Worked great. We stuffed him with a pillow. We use it every year now (I've had 2 sons be santa).
What I have done in the past is I used an opaque projector to enlarge a picture of a snowman and traced the picture.
After the picture was traced and cut out, I then had a couple of very helpful students paste it on a big refrigerator box and then cut it out carefully (the students were in sixth grade and couldn't participate because of religious
beliefs) with an exacto knife. This worked really well for my performance and the kids just pretended to make it.
I'm not sure where you are but we live in the SW and we spray paint tumble weeds to make snowmen in our front yards.
Stars: make big stars with a cut-out for their faces; trees - make paper trees that their heads and hands go through (we used bulletin board type paper) reindeer - make the antlers out of their hands and a mask with face
peaking through (you could be elaborate and use pipe cleaners but the hands are cute) you could even put a red clown nose on someone for Rudolph. You could probably do the same with the bells - make a bell shape
(either face size or body size) The feet could be the ringers.
Snow flakes - you could have them wear white shirts and pin homemade snowflakes on them. Perhaps glitter would be good to show up also
Here are some I've done with great success in the Winter:
(tune: Are you Sleeping?)
(tune: Row row row your boat)
We did a similar theme (K-3) 2 years ago and used the
following: (K & 1 songs omitted)
Song: "Encore" about the century
The teachers in grades 4-9 and I have decided to put on a "variety show" of some sort sometime in the year 2000, but starting all our preps at the school year's beginning. The junior high will go first using all their studies of
American History and government as well as all the enhancement from my music class--the compositions, creations, songs, dances, costuming, folk tales and all the active learning in their classrooms will be combined to
reinforce their studies this years and educate their audiences. Woohoo! Next, grades 4-6 are split into 2-4 groups each focusing on a different Ancient Civ., the Aztecs for one , Egypt another, possibly Greece and Rome.
We will use our research to do writings, compositions, recitations, songs, instrumentals, dances, group work, recreate costuming of the times, haiku, cinquain, etc etc.Any more ideas, please bring them on. This will all be the
responsibility of the children as they will truly own their concerts through their own creations and group compositions. Thanks so much for you great ideas.
1900's-Alexanders Ragtime Band
child 1: Hey, everyone. Come on over to my house and play.
(kids run over to spot in room and lay down umbrellas)
child 2: Hey, you guys, let's play Pease Porridge Hot.
(all form circle and pat each other's hands while singing)
child 3: Oh, this is boring, you guys. Let's go back outside and play.
Wait! We'd better check the weather first.
(kids shade eyes with one hand and lean toward the raindrops)
(raindrops step out and dance around)
kids: Ah, man, it's raining outside. We'd better get our umbrellas
(all sing Rain Rain, Go Away! two times)
(raindrops say "bye" and run away)
(cloud says, "bye-bye" in deep voice and runs away)
all: It worked! Yea!!!
(kids point to the sun with open mouths and wide eyes)
kids: Look, everyone, the sun is out. Yea!!! point to the flowers)
(flowers yawn, stretch and stand up smiling)
kids: hey, I think I hear something!
(birds come in tweeting and fly in circle around the kids then stop
beside them)
kids: The birds are back! The birds are back! Yea!!!
all: (wave at audience) HAPPY SPRING!!!
costumes: poster board cut-outs with oval-shaped hole for face and laminated work great for rain, cloud, flowers, sun (florescent is best). umbrella tops: poster board and colored with markers, glued onto paint stick
handles. bird hats: felt or poster board head bands covered with feathers and velcro'd or pinned on.
------
Pease Porridge Hot (s-m)
------
Rain Rain, Go Away (l-s-m): sing twice
------
Spring is Here: (l-s-m) sing twiceBACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************
STUDENTS AS AUDIENCE: Rubrics
01/02Audience(Listening) Behavior Rubric
4 The students always focus on the performance(speaker). They exhibit
exceptional behavior, providing a good model for others.
3 Students listen attentively and need no teacher reminders to sit
quietly. They follow all the rules of good audience(listener) behavior.
2 Students need occasional teacher reminders to listen attentively
and/or to be quiet. Students may turn around to talk to other students,
may get out of their seats, or not follow all the rules for good
audience(listener) behavior
1 Students need frequent reminders to sit still, be quiet and/or listen
attentively. Students make it difficult for other students to listen (and
learn). Student may need to be moved to a different seat, or removed from
the setting.
BACK to Program topics
***********************************************************************
TALENT SHOWS
12/11 Last year had these categories each getting a score from 0 to 4:
Stage Presence - Musical Ability - Song Selection ---- Preparation D. Brian Weese
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06/07 My hard and fast guideline - my Prime Directive - is "will the audience enjoy watching it?" This cuts down a lot of stuff. Kids may enjoy doing something and showing off, etc., but unless the audience wants to see it,
don't let it on stage! I do my talent shows with one adult (me) and 3 kids backstage and no rehearsals. It's honed to a science. - Martha Stanley
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06/07 I have had HUGE success in years past.
1. Have try outs!
2. Send home a letter stating that you need everything ready. (costumes, music, and junk like that)
3. Make a Varity of acts and spread them
out... Open with a good, save the better towards the end.
4. Make it for a PRIZE, then you get better talent.
5. I have FORMER students who went to our elementary yet do not have any more siblings at the
school judge.
6. Make students MC the event so you can sit back and run sound.
7. Have a TEACHER act or group dance at the end so there is no DEAD TIME while the judges are adding up the
scores.
8. SELL TICKETS...$$$$ why not make money!
9. SELL CONCESSIONS $$$$$ see above
10. Get your Student Council involved...That is what I do. If they are in Stuco they can not be in the
show. However they are the MC, the runners for the judges, back stage helpers,concession stand workers...YOU NAME IT. - Regina Bell
--------------------------------
07/05 I do a talent show the last day of school. My report cards and marks must be in at least one week before the end of school so that last week I host an "Anyone talent show in my classroom" Student sign up a month
before school is out. The last week of school they come and watch and listen to their classmates perform during regular music class. This is what I promote and say anyone can perform. I put everyone's name on the board
and at the end of class we quickly vote on who goes to the "GYM" talent show. I tell the kids to pick what they think they wouldn't normally see or what they likes the most. I encourage them NOT to vote for friends but for
what others would like to see. I explain that 40 piano pieces might not be a fun program. During IN CLASS talent show all parent are invited but must stay for the full class and not leave after their child. I also tell them this is
the important show for it is their child's peers and friends performing. There is no guarantee they will see it again. This also gives me the chance to explain we clap and need to be good listening audiences. The performer must
bow for them to clap. Everyone is given a certificate of participation that the school secretary does up on her computer. 2 student from each class is voted for the last day talent show. I sometimes intervene by saying "You
know we have no one doing a baton act, or we already have 14 piano pieces." Last year I had a group of kids do lip sinking "Shreck Party song" with costumes and everything. This was the class leaving the school and the
kids went wild. It was a lot of fun. I also keep a list of performers so that kids know that Last years performers were-----. I can honestly say it is fun, relaxing, and a no teaching week. The last couple of weeks of school is
that not what all teachers want. If I needed more time I would ask to keep students and the schedule for the week seemed to run around music. The first and only time. Parents love it and so do the kids. I really stress in
newsletters that the important talent show is the one in my classroom no the final one in the gym. I always reserve 2 or 3 spots that I put in my choice in case there was something really spectacular that was not chosen that I
think will give great variety to the show. Last year a kid brought his DAD and they did a duet of guitar and the kid played harmonica and a bit of singing. Grade 2 but it was really fantastic. After my first year kids really tried
to be original. One group of boys did a "Street hockey demo" to a Canadian Hockey song. I stress FUN. Danece in Alberta
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07/05 1) Let them know 6 weeks ahead of time that they have to sign up IN ADVANCE with parent permission.... that weeds out the less-than-serious ones. 1.5) Be sure at the outset that you explain to each class that
what's fun to DO may not be fun to WATCH. I remember a little girl who brought in a whole cardboard kitchen -it was truly cool- and proceeded to very happily cook breakfast. She was ecstatic; we were yawning. I tell
the kids that example. It helps.
2) Remind them that when they audition, that their act must already be ready to go on the stage (except costumes). That way, they've gotten prepared well enough to get through the jitters
of the audition and will like do well on the actual show. If they're not ready at all, let them know that if they are prepared next year, maybe they'll be able to be in the show next year. Sometimes, they need you to make
suggestions about how to make their act show-worthy. My postings in the archives about talent shows covers that, I think.
3) Remind them at the show that no matter what happens at the show, that you'll be proud of
them because they've already proven that they were excellent enough to be chosen to be in the show. I say that to them before the show in front of the audience.
4) Remind the audience that it's kinda scary sometimes
to be on stage and that we're all gonna be really kind to these brave kids. 5) About parents: I just tell them the truth. I'm (as a friend of mine says) 50, feisty and tenured. I don't take crap from parents about extra things I do
for the school. It's my way or the highway (within reason) as far as who gets on stage. And frankly, Scarlet, I don't give a Hoover. If a principal were to lean on me, I'd just say with no rancor, "Your rules... you do the work.
My rules... I do the work. Pick one." I've made it a rule in the last few years to not do extras if I do them with resentment. I'm much happier that way. Anyway, keep it geared toward real excellence, remembering that these
are real kids, and just organize the heck out of it, and step back and let it rip. It'll be fine.-- Martha in Tallahassee
-----------------------------------------
07/05 It was a community builder rather than a talent showcase. Each homeroom did their own homeroom talent show. Any child or group who wanted to participate, did so. Then that homeroom picked their three top
acts, who then stayed after school to be "judged" by my student council members. We narrowed it down to one or two per grade level, mainly because of time constraints. If you do it this way, each child gets a moment of
glory. Teachers let kids have a second try if they messed up. The person in charge overall gets acts that have been sifted trough already. At one school, when I wouldn't permit lip syncing, the parents were so outraged -
really! - that they organized a PTO night JUST for a lip syncing contest. It was loads of fun! The best talent show act I ever saw was a fourth grade boy who put on some popular music and hopped around the stage on a
pogo stick. He was a really sweet kid with super-thick glasses, barely making it through school, usually tripping over his feet with just the effort of walking. It was so amazing that he could a)hop with the music and b)not fall
off the pogo stick that he brought down the house! The kids, even the older ones, went wild cheering for him! If I had to run a talent show where I had to see every possible act and judge them myself, I wouldn't do it. But
with what I've described, I was mainly supervisor and scheduler, and basically enjoyed it.-- Ellen in FL
--------------------
10/04 FACULTY TALENT SHOW:
Eine Kleine Kazoo Musik Vol.6/2 I've done this a couple of times and it was very successful. We started out as if we were setting up for a concert. We warmed up. One kazoo
player can't find the right thing to play. Pulls out a pan, a huge hammer, a beach ball, stuff like that. the person next to them shakes their head no until they finally pull out a kazoo. Everyone is sitting in a semi circle. The
concert master kazooist comes out and give the tuning note. Every one warms up and tunes the kazoo. One person is badly out of tune. The concert master adlibs finger in ears listen to each one individually. Find the out of
tune kazoo. Goes over and plays it . Has the player try. Still can;t get it. The person with the hammer offers it to the concert master. She takes it and threatens the person. Suddenly she plays in tune. Everyone is ready. Then
in walks very noisily a late kazoo player. Finally everyone is in place ready to go. The conductor comes out, with a tissue toilet set cover stuck to her seat. She gives horns up, then down, half up half down etc. Ok they are
ready. During the song when BINGO is played someone backs like a dog. the person with the bag pulls out a tambourine and plays it. When it get to start and stripes everyone pulls out a flag and gets up and marches
around . That is the gist of things. just adlib. It's a blast. The more we did it the more ideas came to mind and the more fun we had with it. We did it with a faculty for a talent show and a group of counselors did it at a Gifted
and Talented camp talent show for HS students. It was lots of fun and well received. -- E. Luane Campbell Elementary Music Instructor & Talented and Gifted intervention specialist Mt. Gilead Schools, Ohio
-----------------------------------------
10/04 We had a talent show last year and we did "Macho Men" - dressed up with muscle shirts, sunglasses & all! The kids kept asking, "Who are they??" They loved it! It was hilarious. We had thermal shirts under the
muscle shirts and stuffed it full of batting for our muscles. We had also considered, "Take this job and
shove it!" LOL ...and "Working 9 to 5" and "Too Sexy" for the custodian! -- Stephanie Mendenhall
-----------------------------------------
Try the MK8 song "Perfect Winter Day". Have 2 groups - one dressed in scarves, gloves, hats, etc., all excited and happy about winter, snow, etc. The others are in robes, fuzzy slippers, carrying Kleenex boxes, cold meds., etc. and look just awful. Have them sing to each other - in the song, one group extols the wonders and happiness of winter, and the other group hates it. Makes a cute vignette! My chorus and faculty did this on a show years ago and brought down the house.
Pat Price
--------------------------------------------
10/04 For our Faculty Follies years ago we did The Chicken Concerto, which is an octavo that has you bawk-bawking to Beethoven's 5th and some other familiar classics. We divided up into two groups of chickens for an
antiphonal effect and wore poster board wings, feet and beaks. It was easy to learn, and pretty funny for the kids due to our costume. The principal ( a man) wore some pretty short shorts under his chicken suit. Good for a
laugh. i got the octavo at JW Pepper. -- Artie Almeida
----------------------------------------
01/04 First of all - a caveat..... it's real nice to have at least one adult backstage, but a couple, probably three, responsible 5th graders will do. I've done shows with just me and kids. And it works when I plan it right.
In
the keep in simple line of thought: I don't mess with lighting at all unless it's absolutely necessary. All the lights available are turned on the stage and left there.
Also, I am the MC. I stand on the floor, off stage, on the right.
That gets me off the stage and I have room to set up CD's, scores, etc. on a table. I have a mike on the floor for me, another on the stage for the performers. THIS IS REALLY CRUCIAL for a smooth flow.
Decide the order of the show. Set the program, in other words. Keep in mind the following elements
1) show-stoppers, show-starters, weaker acts, interest, avoid 3 piano acts
in a row, etc. Have a strong open and a strong close!
2) (THIS IS KEY) determine what can be done with the curtains closed (like a piano solo if the piano is on the floor instead of on the stage), what can be done
with the curtains half-drawn (like a solist using a microphone), and what must be done with the curtains full-open (like a dance number).
3)determine what set-up each act will need.
1) They will be opening and closing the curtain.
2) They will be setting up the mikes, moving the piano, etc, behind closed curtains. (Who wants to see all that?!)
3) They will be the
runners to get the next act. - Put acts that need longer backstage set-up time after a solo that needs only a microphone. In other words, use the time during the acts to get set up backstage every time you can. The 5th grade
helpers do this!
Make a table with the a row for every act 20 acts, 20 rows.
Make columns for the "act", microphone, curtain placement, sound equipment, props,
and need me?.
(Karate Demonstration - Ian Kendall, 3rd grade, Mrs. Kohl's room)
In the microphone
column, mark an X if a mike is needed.
In the Curtain column, write closed, half, or open.
In the EQ column (sound equipment), write CD and track number, tape (pre-set of course!), piano, etc. In the Props
column, write whatever it is they need - hula hoops, etc.
In the Need Me? column, write whatever it is YOU will need to do for that act... play the piano, insert the CD, etc.
------------------------------------
09/03 At my school we have one every year in May. I don't run it. My best friend who is a first grade teacher here does. I assist her off in the wings...... This is her love and I foster it. She allows no lip syncing. The kids can
put a dance together, a cheer, we've had karate demonstrations set to Kung Fu music, solos, duets. They have to show up at an audition after school with their parents. There is a committee of 5 teachers that fill out sheets to
grade the auditions. The committee votes. The kids must show up for 4 practices with those teachers. And do practicing on their own if necessary. It's been highly successful. - Contributed by Patricia
Albritton
-----------------------------
09/03 Well, I for one like Talent Shows. But, honey, I do them MY way or the highway. Period. Many years ago I developed a system where I could do a Talent Show singlehandedly. And it worked/WORKS. Granted,
another adult backstage also is nice, but I've done it with none.
I create/copy a piece of clip art that I use on everything I print about the Talent Show, from auditions to reminders to the program to certificates. This
creates visual unity and always helps me keep the paperwork separated from regular classwork or faculty stuff. Last year I found a cool picture of klieg lights that looked great in black and white.
I set up guidelines.
Heck, not mealy-mouth words like guidelines.... They are RULES. No follow, no perform.Now, while I'm pretty hard-a--ed sometimes, I do help kids and encourage kids and make this a positive experience for them.
AND for me. I do this for them and for love. No money crosses hands. I think I'll put out a donation box this year........
It's a show, not a
contest. No prizes. If I let you in the show, you're already a winner!
If you don't audition, you're not in.
If you don't turn in your SIGNED parent permission form to audition on time, you don't even audition.
If
the form is not filled out accurately, it's a goner.
If you forget to turn it in, I'll forget to let you audition.
If the act is fun to do but not fun to watch, you're not in. I make a big deal out of teaching the difference and I think this is a valuable part of the process. I give some examples from real live kids.
If your act is
acceptable at church, it's okay at school. If you wouldn't do it, sing it, dance to it in front of the preacher or President Bush, it won't cut it at school.
If it has any references to sex, drugs, alchohol, violence, or disrepect
to any group including racism or sexism, it won't make it. Grab your crotch once, and you're a goner. We have a short Micheal Jackson discussion - no, even HE wouldn't be in it if he did that!
Only students at the
school may be in it. Your parent may play the piano while you sing, but that's the only sort of exception.
When you audition, you have to be able to do the act exactly the same way two times in a row. This is my way of
ensuring that they have a plan, not just a fake-it situation.
Your act has to have a beginning, a middle and an ending that I can notice. Three minutes max - two is better.
It has to be YOUR talent, not a CD's. No
lip-synching or singing along with a tape that has the singer's voice on it.
All talents of a performing nature are encouraged. Gymnasts, tae kwan do demonstrations, dances, fiddle players, singers, pianists, recorder
players, original compositions, step dancers, cloggers, poem reciters.... whatever. If they have their ducks in a row in a presentable form, they're probably in, time permitting.
I give my child permission to participate in the Talent Show. I understand that preparation by the child will
not take place at school. I will help with props/special equipment as necessary. I have reviewed my child’s act and I approve of my child’s performance. It does not contain foul language, violence, sex, racism, sexism, drug
references, etc. Signed _______________ (parent)
This
paper is to let you know when your Talent Show try-out time is scheduled. If you are not ready at your appointment time, you will not be able to be in the Talent Show.
You need to be ready to perform your Talent
Show act at:
Time:
Place:
Remember to bring:
If 27 kids sign up for
piano or dancing or whatever, I'll pick the best 3. I get to make sure that the show is interesting and has lots of variety. It's MY decision.
If it's clear to
me that the list of possible acts is too long, then I always tell the auditioners that I'll have to let them know later if they're in or not. I always blame the time element if they're on the borderline of acceptability.
If I
definitely know they're in, I tell them so right up front. If they're definitely out, I tell them so right up front - gently, gently with suggestions on how they could do it better next year.
If they get a second chance because
they needed some coaching or polishing, I let them know that "you're in IF....".
-------------- Contributed by Martha Stanley
--------------------
01/02 HUMOUROUS SONGS (for faculty)
----------------------
"Mississippi Squirrel"
---
A group of us did the medley from Sister Act, dressed in choir robes ( to give the appearance of being a nun) and did minor choreography. The medley is, or at least was, available through J W Pepper. It was a HOOT!
---
The Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera (? can't remember her last name) "Sister, Sister" routine from "White Christmas" is really fun!
---
Once upon a time, we did a pitifully strange version of the "Lawrence
Welk Show" for our senior adults. My husband and I (Bob and Pam) were
Bobby and Pammy. We did a dance number in tap shoes....should I mention
that we are NOT dancers, ummmm, ant that we are not terribly petitie?
------
The women of our church choir did I Enjoy Being a Girl from Flower
Drum Song. We sang it twice through: first time all dolled up and with
"girly" moves as if we really meant every word of the song. Second time
we quickly donned our grubbiest looking house clothes, robes, house
dresses, towels wrapped around our head, whatever. We had props ready
offstage like a broom, dust rag and furniture polish, an ironing board,
etc. . . While we sang the first time through one of our oldest members
held up a sign that said something like The Courtship, or Before the
Marriage. The second time through the sign said After Marriage. It was
cute. We have also sometimes taken a serious song and changed the words
to rib our minister a little.
---
"Don't Call The Preacher, We're Not Gone Yet!" is from a mini-musical that our
church did a few months ago (and can't remember the name of it for the life of
me!). Anyway, it's sung by the older members of the church...even has a bridge
section where they can march around the church playing kazoos and carrying
signs such as "Gray is Great!"
That particular song was a BIG hit with our congregation...we even had the
oldest member of our church singing and marching!
-------------------------------------------
Our staff performed a "talent show" and did various things. Two fourth grade teachers sang the song "Anything You Can Do I Can do Better." One teacher wrote a poem which was acted out by the rest of the staff. Several
of us dressed up like birds and danced to "Rockin' Robin." Our principal did a majic act, one person did clowning, and several others belonged in musical groups which performed as well...Our PTA sponsered it and we
charged a $1.00 admission = this was our fundraiser....though not sure how we made out, but we had fun and a good crowd.
blah, blah, blah.....
Kids playing other instruments!
Pet Tricks:
Dogs doing tricks (limit it to 3 minutes)
Magic Acts by Kids
Demonstrations of:
Roller Blading to music
Stilt Walking to music
Clown Skits (Jokes, silly balloons, etc.)
Dance Numbers put together with the help of some talented mothers!
Clogging demonstrations! (with parents joining in on stage!)
-------------------------------
THE AMAZING GROWING MACHINE
A large box decorated with buttons and swirls is the machine. The kids (2-4) dress as inventors and assistants, the goofier dressed, the better. The gag is you place a small object into a slot in machine and a large object is
thrown over the top of the box (small ball turns into large one, small shoe turns into huge shoe) I also selected a favorite teacher and her child who closely resembles her. The last gag is with water...place a small glass of
water into machine and a huge pail emerges. The kids pantomime throwing the water on the crowd...it's confetti. Should be a fun skit for all.
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TEACHER RECOGNITION
10/12 SONGS HONORING TEACHERS: To Sir with Love -- We carry the Glee version of "To Sir, With Love" on MusicK8.com: http://www.musick8.com/ Sound clip preview is at the bottom of the page.
My favorite is John Rutter's "A Clare Benediction" - unison or 2 part - HMC 1630. It is somewhat religious, but easy to learn, nice melody, quality text - if you can
mention the Lord.
I've also used John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" successfully - HMC 1169.
"A Gaelic Blessing"-Rutter - unison - RSCM-522 (available in other voicings, as well.)
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THANKYOU
05/21 MK8 Music Plank Road Publishing: http://www.musick8.com/ (Five issues of original music, ideas and optional CD accompaniments - Kids like this music) "T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U!" Vol 6, No 2 may be a little easier
to learn than "You Are Our Heroes." It's fun and upbeat. "We Appreciate You," Vol 11 No 3, is also fun and easy to learn.
--------------------
05/21 "We Appreciate You!" (MK-8 11/3 ) and/or "You Are Our Heroes" vol 12 #4
---------------------
05/21 There's also that Hank Beebe song, "Hats" that goes through all sorts of hats, can include choreography, but ends with, "We're singing hats off to you!" It's in octavo form.
---------------------
I have a thank you song for volunteers in "Sing and Play on Special Days". 05/21 While I was copying the words, I realized that others may be looking for teacher retirement or graduation songs,
so I cut the lyrics for those at the same time.If interested in the book (it has 67 ideas - poems, songs with piano accompaniment, game songs, Orff arrangements for special days throughout the year) check
www.musicplay.ca These 4 songs all have piano/vocal music and you can reproduce for your students. The CD is split track except for #47
---------------------
05/21 A great thank you song I'm doing this year is Cristi Cary Miller's "I Am the One." "I am the one spectacular, I am a bright and shining star.........I'm what I am because of you."
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U.S. HISTORY
1.From Then to Now (Music K-8) At the turn of the Century the industrial revolution brought about factories as big businesses. Plastic was invented. The Wright Brothers made the first historic flight of Kitty Hawk and
Henry Ford created the model T. Americans enjoyed a variety of live past times from dance to baseball.
Princess Diana was killed in an automobile accident and JFK Jr. was killed in an airplane accident. O.J. Simpson was acquitted. There was the battle of Clinton's impeachment, and one of the most disturbing incidents of all
times was the tragedy at Columbine High School. These events are all things that we are not proud of. We know that the world could use some changes for the better. We are the ones to make these
changes. We know that if we work hard and are determined to go the distance, we can and will make changes happen for the betterment of our world.
Decorations were 1900,00's, 10's, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000. out of cardboard painted with gitter etc., Simple but it did the job.
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VALENTINE'S DAY
See also file #20 Holidays
Songs from the Heart
All Kinds of Love:
Love Round old English round (rote, with simple bordun)
I Love the Mountains traditional American round ( loosely based on Hoagey Carmichel's "Heart and Soul")
Old '91 Silver Burdett 4th Grade, CD: 3-28 Demonstrated ostinato, melody, and round before putting together with accompaniment
I Love Music by Carmino Ravosa Old '91 Silver Burdett 4th Grade, CD: 1-2; did in echo fashion
Getting to Know You Rodgers & Hammerstein
Old '91 Silver Burdett 4th Grade, CD:1-1 Had "bubble guns" blow bubble out...like old Lawrence Welk show
The Water Is Wide traditional American folk song '95 Silver Burdett 6th Grade, CD:10-30 (used words of Luigi Zaninelli version)
Daisy Bell by Harry Dacre
Old '91 Silver Burdett 3rd Grade, CD:2-4 Had 4 pairs of dancers waltzing
Music, Music, Music by S. Weiss & B. Baum '95 Silver Burdett 4th Grade, CD:3-20
Had flapper dancers (girls) and "cross-legged knee/butterfly dance" (boys)
I Got Rhythm by George Gershwin '95 Silver Burdett 6th Grade, CD: 6-3 Varied words a bit (guys sang "my gal" on their verses)
Can't Help Falling In Love with You by G. Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore
(created chordal synthesized accompaniment with Band-In A Box)
Never Gonna Be Your Valentine by Linda Williams Old '91 Silver Burdett 3rd Grade, CD 6-24; Added some choreographed motions to match words;
World Love, Peace, and Brotherhood:
We Are the World by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie '95 Silver Burdett 6th Grade, CD: 1-2; Had 8 phenomenol soloists.....brought the house down!
Go Now In Peace traditional round (rote, with simple bordun)
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VETERAN'S DAY
01/16 One of the most touching Veteran's Day memories for me was when the Vets (many of whom came in uniform) were asked to meet in the area outside our gym where we pinned our ribbons on them. The students formed an aisle for them to walk through, and when the concert began, they processed single file walking through all the children as the audience gave them a standing O. I believe we just played a recording for this processional. (Proud to be an American? don't remember) We had reserved seats for them up front. The looks on the students faces as they watched young and old, robust and barely walking with canes, was something I'll never forget. Contact a local branch of armed services recruiting. A marine came out to my school and taught some kids how to march, pivot, etc... to his call of left right left, etc...The night of the program he came in dress uniform and lead the presentation of colors with those kids. ---- Donna Janoso
--------------------------------
06/15 SCRIPT: What is a Veteran? See http://www.rdimusic.com/forteachers.htm " Quote, Poems, and Prose: Patriotic Literature",
Open with msword then scroll down to page 18
----------------------------
Here is the site with the info on the Armed Forces Medley. The version at the Memorial Day concert 2014 features the song with the actual servicemen (awesome). It's on youtube as well
http://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010416/ ---- Lin McVety
-------------------
08/14 I gave all my students a half sheet of red construction paper and asked them to take them home and ask their families who had served in the military to put info on these pages. They put on the veteran' s name, branch
of service, war or conflict served in and years served. These red pages each became a " brick" in a symbolic veterans " Wall of Honor" decorating our auditorium for the performance. The performance day called attention
to our wall of honor and invited people to visit and read the info on the wall. I asked them to consider immediate family and past relatives. We opened with the color guard presentation by a high school, ROTC, national
anthem, pledge, and a demonstration of flag etiquette by an interested 5 th grade class and veteran teacher. We sang our songs with a beautiful PowerPoint presentation for visual including some of our veterans and stock
military and patriotic photos. ---- Martha Cuberly
---------------------
11/08 SONG: I have a really beautiful arrangement of the poem Flanders Fields, written by Craig Cassils in a collection called "Songs of Peace" (musicplay.ca) I'd really recommend this piece - very singable 2 part arrangement of the
poem.
You can hear an audio clip. Just do a search.
Another suggestion is the song "We Are Americans" from Susie & Phil's collection "Let's Sing All Together" - you can hear an audio clip at the same site. --- Denise Gagne, managing editor Themes & Variations - www.musicplay. Ca - 1-888-562-4647
---------------------------------------------
12/07 TWO SONGS: MK8, Vol. 13, 1 (NOTE: Music K8 is a magazine published by Plank Road Pub. http://www.musick8.com with several good original songs for use by teachers. Issues can be purchased separately
& accomp. cd’s are available.) These songs are appropriate for lower elementary.
--------------------------------
12/07 1. Contact your Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, & call your local recruiting agencies and have them give you other ideas. Contact your Veterans' Hospitals in the area. Also, contact your
nursing homes and senior citizen centers. Often these groups have busses and would delight in bringing their folks to your school.
2. First & Second grade are wonderful for Vets programs. We did a Patriotic Program
for Primaries and they were incredible. Let's face it, patriotic songs are generally fun to sing and have a great marching beat.
3. Begin early! It takes primaries a little longer to secure the words! -- It should be a very
inspiring little "gig" and the vets will love you to pieces for remembering them. - Cak
--------------------------------------
01/04 Here was my program:
A VETERAN'S CELEBRATION
Opening: This is America (All)
Quotes
Star-Spangled Banner Reader's Theater
Star-Spangled Banner
You're a Grand Ol' Flag (streamer routine)
Quotes
America, the Beautiful
America, My Home
Songs of My Father
The Poem "ONE" (with
scarves)
This Land is Your Land (with recorder descant)
Quotes
America - Bell group
You are Our Heroes (parents in the service fields with their children on stage - very moving. I
had a policeman, doctor, nurse, fireman, Navy person)
Quotes
"What is a Veteran" read by our Superintendent
I'll Remember You
Armed Forces Salute (flags of each branch were brought on stage as their song was sung and those veterans stood)
Quotes
Quote Collage (all quotes spoken in a crescendo interspersed as the children walked towards the mic- cut off suddenly at the loudest point - then one child says "Let there be peace on
earth and let it begin with me".)
We are the People of the 2lst Century (with flashlight routine)
God Bless America - Contributed by Patty in AR
-------------------------
04/02 "White Cliffs of Dover" Songbook (WWII)---I Don't Want to Walk Without You/GI Jive
Jersey Bounce/Begin the Beguine/Don't Get Around Much Anymore/PENNSYLVANIA
6-5000........77 songs altogether.
Ekay Music, Inc. ISBN # 0-943748-57-7 $24.95, 223 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, NY 10536
-----------------
04/02 We did a veteran's wall last year. On each "brick" we had the Vet's name,
the year's he served and which war/conflict etc.
Each child took home a page of bricks (each page had three bricks)and had a
parent fill in the info. Then I "built" the wall with the bricks offset
just as a brick wall is on a big bulletin board in the hall. We added red,
white, and blue bunting and decorations. The kids really enjoyed watching
the wall grow each day as more names came in. Teachers also asked to
participate. The art teacher added posters with each war and the years it
was fought on it. It was a very patriotic experience.
I must give the credit for the idea to my fellow Missourian Mary Marshall.
-----------------
01/02 I do a
Memorial Day service/ recognition every year with my fourth graders. We
invited veterans, ask them to come in uniform and sit them in a special
roped off area. WE learn all of the service songs, and dedicate each song
to each of the services: Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy. WE had out
carnations to each person as we are singing their own special song, and we
also sing other Patriotic songs. Music K-8 has many wonderful ones.
America my Home is especially nice. My favorite is an old song called The
Vacant Chair. It is a very sad story of how people
used to honor their loved ones at meetings by leaving an empty chair. The
song is simple but beautiful, and we do it rather dramatically by dimming
the lights, putting a spot on this old chair on which is placed on old
photograph of someone in the service. It is very powerful and brings tears
to the eyes. It is a wonderful program for the fourth graders as they can
see the effect music has on these veterans.
--------------------
11/01 On the morning of the 8th, at 7:50 AM, we will gather, nearly 800 strong,
to do our GBA sing. This will be a chance for the entire school to sing
together. The Marines will be doing the honor guard. Our school is near
Miramar Marine Air Station and we have MANY kids whose parents are in the
service. The choir will lead all in singing Star Spangled Banner, America,
America the Beautiful and God Bless America. This will be short and sweet.
Then off to classes. Mid morning (10:30) we will have our fourth and final
performance of our Choir's Veteran's Show. We will have performed it on Fri
10/2 and twice on Tues 10/6 (once in evening at the high school along with
high school, middle school and 4 other elementaries) and finish on Thrus.
the 8th. This is the full show- the one we'll present at our school. Only
the 60 choir members are singing.
Presented by The Walker Melody Makers (gr. 4/5/Choir)
Melody Makers enter to "Hoe Down" by Aaron Copland wearing blue jeans,
"United We Stand" flag shirts, red bandanas and cowboy hats.
Presentation of Colors= US Marine Corps, Miramar Air Station or Mira Mesa
High School ROTC or School Safety Patrol (note: depends on the day who can
do it)
Star Spangled Banner- all sing
Pledge of Allegiance led by ___________
Letter to the Families of New York, by Bren C., grade 5 (note: she wrote
this shortly after the event)
"Dear Families of New York,
Hello, my name is Bren Crockett. I'm a girl. I live in San Diego,
California. When I heard about the incident, I felt scared also. Don’t hold
in your tears when you are sad, but let it out. I am only in the fifth grade
and I also felt bad. We are always thinking of you so don’t think we are
not.
Everyone in the world who watched T.V. or listened to the radio knows what
your feelings are. Don’t worry about anything because we haven’t lost
anyone, but we have gained more angels.
Stay strong and let your people rest in peace. I meant every word in this
letter.
With love.
Sincerely,
Bren C."
Song: We Might Heal
Poem: " We Are One", by Cheryl Sawyer
Song: Battle Hymn of the Republic
Intro: Teresa E. gr. 5 (note: she wrote a lovely intro about why she
treasured living in the U.S.)
Song: Heart of America
Intro: Principal or Vice Principal
This is the Preamble to our Constitution, 1787:
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for
the United States of America.
Song: Fifty Nifty United States
Intro :Cyreena (note:it's amazing- a member of my choir is the great grand
niece of Katherine Lee Bates!!)
9..Our next song is "America the Beautiful". I'm proud to say that my
relative, my great- grandmother's aunt, was Katherine Lee Bates, who wrote
the words to this song. Many people would like " America the Beautiful" to
be the national anthem! It certainly has become one of our most beloved
patriotic songs.
Song: America the Beautiful
Intro:
10. What is a veteran? A veteran is someone who has served in the armed
forces, such as the army, navy, marines, air force, or coast guard.
11.A veteran is someone who is willing to fight, perhaps even die, for our
country.
12. The next two songs are from wars that were fought here, in our country.
The first song comes from the Revolutionary War and the second from the
Civil War.
SKIT
Waleed steps forward, reads notice:
"NOTICE!
All men and boys of this village must report to Captain Washington's
regiment immediately!"
(All boys come down, form two lines, walk out with Waleed at head)
(note: I have 13 boys in all and 47 girls!)
Song: Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier (all boys march off, girls sit on
risers, recorder players go to one side)
Solo 1: Lauren Solo 2: Keighley Recorders: Noel, Victoria,
Kim
(at end of song Keighley holds up letter and shouts, "Look, a letter from
Johnny! The battle's won! He's coming home!" All girls shout, "Hurrah!
Hurrah!")
Song: When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
(all boys return- this time with plastic swords, first two make arch of
swords and all others go under and line up on either side of the arch. All
raise swords and march around during second verse. Stop and face audience,
sing third verse. On final "Hurrah!" raise swords in air. Put swords in
scabbards at end and each goes to the microphone in turn and says following
intro. (#13-25) , return to riser as soon as finished)
Intro:
13. Excerpts from an address to the nation by PRESIDENT GEORGE WALKER BUSH
October 7, 2001.
14. We defend not only our precious freedoms
15. But the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children
free from fear.
16. Sacrifices are being made by members of our Armed Forces who now defend
us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families.
17. They are dedicated,
18. They are honorable
19. They represent the best of our country
20. And we are grateful.
21. We will not waiver
22. We will not tire
23. We will not falter
24. And we will not fail
25. Peace and freedom will prevail.
Mrs. Park: We invite any veterans and active duty personnel to come forward
now, during the singing of the armed forces salute, to receive an American
flag pin. We invite you ALL to join us in singing God Bless America at the
end of our salute.
Song: Armed Forces Medley/God Bless America (flags wave and raised on GBA)
-------------------
11/01 My older primary wanted to dress up as historical people so we incorporated
some into our program.
This is what we are doing:
presentation of colors
pledge of allegiance
star spangled banner - sung by all [with audience]
Abraham Lincoln-excerpts from Gettysburg address
this land is your land -sung by pre k and k-1
George Washington - excerpt from farewell speech
2 poems about the flag
Betsy Ross
take your hat off when the flag goes by - sung by pre k
poem: i am the flag
you're a grand old flag - sung by k-1
George bush - excepts from recent speech
my country tis of thee - sung by all [with audience]
John F. Kennedy - "ask not.." excerpt
God bless the USA - sung by older primary
poem: "one"
God bless America -sung by all [with audience]
Oh we will have uncle Sam and the statue of liberty there too.
I'm figuring about a half hour program and then treats afterwards. That will
close our day.
-----------------------------
Ours looks great! I ran "bricks" two to a sheet on the riso. Red paper. I had them write names in black marker, cut them out, and tape them to a blue wall. I made 12X18 (large construction paper red letters) that say
"Thank You Veterans!" Fourth graders decorated them with white stars and stripes. We have almost the entire cafeteria wall covered!
---------------------
I organized one 2 years ago. We had over 500 "BRICKS" brought back from kids and staff. I sent home a piece of paper 3x11" with these things on it:
NAME OF VETERAN_______________ YEARS OF SERVICE________
WAR FOUGHT IN_________________ BRANCH OF SERVICE________
NAME OF STUDENT VETERAN IS RELATED TO_____________
The last one was usually the name of the student bringing back the paper.
The kids and staff took these home and when they brought them back, I put them up on the wall in the elementary. I organized them into wars-
WW I, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm, etc.
It was a big success.
--------------------------------------
10/01 Our church has a fantastic program for Veterans Day. Thought I would share
some of the things we have done. This is prompted by the fact that we have
a Veterans Home (Nursing Home) for veterans and wives of veterans in our
community.
We always start with the choir singing the song of each branch of service.
The flag from each branch is brought down the aisle by a veteran in
uniform. Once all branches are in they are told to position them, salute
and they in turn march out the way they came. We then have a large pole
placed with a spotlight on it. Slowly the American Flag is raised, the
Pledge spoken and the National Anthem sung. Next the Christian flag is
also raised, Pledge spoken and the audience then sits.
What follows is a variety of songs, hymns and a regular part of Sunday
morning service. Rather than have a sermon, each war is then represented
by those who were involved. They each give their rank and location of
service. This last year, a gentleman that had been injured in North Korea
met the man that had more than likely picked him up in a helicopter. It
was quite moving. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.
My father has an extensive collection of mounted medals, helmets, ect. It
is a regular museum. He usually has part of these displayed in the foyer.
People linger and look for some time.
The church has a medly of the songs needed for the opening with the flags.
I am hoping to borrow this and will let you know title, publisher, ect. as
soon as possible. It can easily be sung in unison or easy harmony.
-----------------------------------------
5/01 Veteran's day
I have done Vet's Programs the last two years with my 4/5th grade
choir. They have been very successful. We do a community program: a
combined grand Vets Day show with another elem. school, a middle school and
the high school in the high school quad. All of us on risers together. Each
school sings one song on their own, then all sing several songs together.
This is interspersed with speeches by various community members. We always
end with the Armed Forces songs and give out pins to vets who come forth to
receive same. After the combined concert, I give my own concerts at our
school. This year we invited the High School JROTC to come and do a Flag
Salute. They were very polished and in uniform, with rifles and etc. It was
MOST impressive!
We sang and signed "America the Beautiful", did the "Battle
Hymn of the Republic" (the church version- slow solemn and powerful), "Fifty
Nifty United States" (a HUGE HIT!- we twirled signs on sticks with the
states names on them), and of course, the Armed Forces Salute (Albrecht?) .
We did a version that had instrumental portions in between each song, during
which my students, dressed in the proper uniform, made statements about each
of the Armed Forces. ( I borrowed from the Wee Sing America book for my
statements) This particular Salute even had the Coast Guard in it. We ended
with God Bless America , waving flags , and I can tell you, this was a most
patriotic and inspiring program! Then for Independance Day I do another
patriotic program with K-2. I generally use the standard patriotic
material-Yankee Doodle Dandy, Grand Old Flag, America, Battle Hymn chorus
(just the Glory, glory Hallelujia part for the little kids), I use "Let's
Hear It for America" from the old grade 5 SB series, "World of Music", and
etc. Everyone waves flags and wears blue jeans, white shirt, and I put red
ribbons around their necks which I staple and stick stars on. It looks
great!
http://hometown.aol.com/ceharger/Premiere.htm
One flag per kid, stand a few feet apart so as not to whack neighbor! Form 2 semi circles. All moves are crisp and precise. Move only on capital words or *'d beats.
2.You're the EMblem of, the LAND I love, the HOME of the FREE and the BRAVE * *
3.Every HEART BEAT TRUE FOR the RED white * and BLUE WHERE there's NE-VER a HOPE OR BRAG **
4.But should AULD acQUAINtance BE forGOT, keep your EYES on the GRAND old FLAG.
Begin with all students holding 1 flag straight at audience, stick waist high, hold with 2 hands
1. GRAND all students raise flags to point up and freeze WAVE** all students wave flags left, right, left
2. EM LAND HOME FREE BRAVE * * rows alternate between pointing flag up and pointing it down (when inner semi circle kids move flag pointing up, outer semi circle kids have flag pointing down, a la June Taylor!)
This is the only tricky part, some years kids have done move in unison
3. HEART BEATS TRUE FOR RED * BLUE WHERE NE VER HOPE OR BRAG * * all flags rotate clockwise, clicking off each of 15 beats, ending at 12 o'clock
4. AULD QUAINT BE GOT kids raise flags with straightened arms overhead, waving in 4 big sweeps over head;
EYES drop flag to starting position, but only hold with left hand GRAND salute, right hand to eye FLAG right hand salutes to the flag
K-4th sings Yankee Doodle Dandy while 5th and 6th march onto gym floor. 6th drummers keep cadence alive till all are in place. 5th and 6th sing GRAND OLD FLAG 3 times. First time kids sing and do flag routine, 2nd
time only flags (neat sounds with the 100 flags snapping off the beats) and 3rd time all students in audience join in as 5th & 6th do routine. We conclude Veterans Day program with "God Bless the USA" This has become a
tradition. Younger kids can't wait till they can perform with the flags. (The local VFW donated them for the cause)
Then the thought struck, why don't we have our own wall? I seldom do "homework" assignments, but I gave every fourth grader this one.--I handed each student a sheet of paper with 3 bricks for our wall on it. The bricks
were simply 7 1/2inch by 3 inch rectangle with a brick border. Each brick contained the following info:
Branch of the Service _____________________________
War Served in (if any) ____________________________
Student Bringing the name in ______________________
Relationship to Veteran ___________________________
Their assignment:
Fill in atleast one brick and return to me. How do they get vet names?
1. Relatives - living or dead.
2. Friends or neighbors.
3. Borrow one from a friend at school who has more than 3 (and many do and are glad to share).
4. If all else fails, come to me and I'll lend you one.
Pledge of Allegiance
Star-Spangled Banner played by the High School Brass Quintet
My Country Tis of Thee
Yankee Doodle's Pony
Armed Forces Salute (all five songs) I'm doing this with third grade-I
thought it might be too hard, but they are loving it!
You're a Grand Old Flag with flag choreography with small flags from
Oriental Trader.
Possibly a Veteran Speaker.
1. Posting of Colors by Boy Scout Troop
2. Pledge and Star-Spangled Banner
3. Introductory speech about the day, it's meaning, freedom etc.
4. God Bless the U.S.A. (Just from "And I'm glad to be an American...")America the Beautiful combo from an octavo called "Let Freedom Ring",
Hal Leonard by my show choir complete with flag choreography.
5. 1st/2nd Grades - brief presentation about symbols of freedom "Teach Me About My Freedom" MK-8
6. 3rd/4th Grades - brief presentation about our pride in our country "America, My Home" MK-8
7. 5th/6th - brief presentation on freedom, choices, and responsibility "Choices" MK-8
8. 5th/6th again - brief presentation about those who died in service "Remember You" MK-8 If I can handle it!!!!!
9. Sing Along - Armed Forces Medley (with instrumental accompaniment from MENC CD of Patriotic Music) Veterans will stand when their song is sung for recognition.
10. Probably a message from our principal (He always has to say something!)
11. Grand finale - "Blue and Red and White" MK-8 all students complete with flags marching on verses and streamers waving on refrains.
Presentation of the flag by the 4th grade Boy Scout troop
Pledge of Allegiance
Star- Spangled Banner (played by 3 high school trumpet players - 1 a former
student of our grade school
and 1 of them my son)
You're a Grand Old Flag
Opening remarks
America
Student read paragraph about Veteran's Day meaning
poem - Washington (about George, but we said it could apply to any who"heard
the call of their country and answered")
America The Beautiful
poem - Thank You - Got this off of the Veteran's web site
Moment of silence
Taps (played by my son) ( I was fine with this until I noticed 3 or 4 of
the Veterans with tears streaming down their cheeks)
Veteran's Day - from Fall Festival
introduction of Veterans attending by their student hosts
Rap of The States ( my kids LOVE this one)
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VOLUNTEERS
06/04 To the tune of OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Popcorn and pickles and cookies on Fridays, Cooking with kinders who do it their own way
Cutting and pasting and drawing with ease
These are a few of our favorite things
All that you do here makes us want to sing These are a few of our favorite things
Because of your kindness our school has become A place full of favorite things -- Contributed by Andrea Cope
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9/01 Silver Burdett, 6th grade has This is My Country as a partner song with Sing a
Song of Peace (listed under Sing) . It's really moving! We are going to do it as
the finale of our Veterans' Day program.
----------------
6/01 I do a big Veteran's Day program every year and have used a lot of this set,
plus the CD put out by MENC of military bands playing different patriotic
songs. We sing along with the Armed Forces medley on this CD and have all
the Veterans stand up during their song. It's never the best singing on
every song (some are HARD) and I had to modify a couple of questionable
words, but this is always a hit with the Veterans and with the boys!
There is an octave titled "Somebody Special," which is great for a program honoring volunteers, etc.BACK to Program topics
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UNDERSTUDIES
I also support the concept of using the 'understudy'. After some rather
stressful experiences, I decided I would always have an understudy for
every part/solo in a show and have done it for at least the past 12 years.
After auditions, I post the names of the people who got the part and those
who are their understudies. One advantage is that more kids get their
names selected. (I use a database to keep everything sorted.) I don't
work with the understudies much but have them take the person's part
during a rehearsal if the "star" is absent. Sometimes, one kids is an
understudy for several parts. I tell them to hang around during the
rehearsal, learn the lines, be prepared but don't trip the star, hoping to
get the part due to an injury! I have a long list of "crazy" things happen
at the last minute including illness and it has been comforting to have a
plan.
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WARMUPS ON STAGE
06/09 First we all do shoulder rolls, sometimes we stretch arms high and reach to the right and left. I then take my hoberman sphere and expand it as we "blow up our balloons" breathing in to make our tummies full of air,
so the expansion is down low, not up in the shoulders. Then we pretend to prick our balloon with a tiny pin so the air very slowly leaks out on a soft, sustained "sssssss" sound. I slowly make the hoberman sphere smaller
and smaller as we breathe out. We keep that "sssssssss" going until we run out of air. The idea is to keep it going as long as possible. I explained to parents that this helps strengthen the "singing muscle" in your gut. We did
that twice. Then I did singing owl sounds. I make up hoot owl "melodies" and the students echo me. I had the parents to it too and told them this was to help the students find their head voice, i.e., their nice singing voice.
That's it. The whole thing [only took about] 3-4 minutes, tops. Voice is really not my thing, so I'm a little embarassed about sharing any vocal stuff I do. I'm sure everyone here has much better warm-up tricks than I do. .
---- Meredith Harley Inserra
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WE'RE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
It's kind of a dedication to the new building. It's called "We're Under Construction"
The Songs we are singing
are:
This is the Day of Celebration (shortened version), Gonna Build a Mountain, Move Over, The More We Get Together (Cause your teacher is my teacher and my teacher is your teacher),Heigh-Ho(hard hats with sticks
tapping on hats), If I Had A Hammer, Cement Mixer, One Brick at a Time, Popcorn ( Our party/unit when the building was finished) My School, and
T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U. 2 Of the 1st grade teachers wrote the narration. It's very cute. Another 1st grade teacher helped me set up a power point slide presentation. We are going to show it off to the side on the wall while the
kids sing . The pictures are of the progress of the building and the kids learning activities in their classrooms.
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WINTER
12/03 We had a WinterFest Saturday. Our school has 1100 students, so this program is mostly from 4th and 5th grade clubs. We had three groups perform outside during different time blocks during the day. I was jumping
for joy proud of these children. Tough stuff and they did it! (Kindergarten will do a program over two evenings in December.)
"Hodie Canon" by
Donald Moore (We had three recorder players play the flute part)
"Do You Hear What I Hear" arranged by Harry Simeone (Fifth grader played practice drum and another played triangle)
"Haida" arranged by
Henry H. Leck. It is a round with a really tough but fun piano part.
"Amigos" by Judith Cook Tucker - great ending. One child taught us a Korean verse.
"Au Clair de la Lune" (RE)
"Wacky Waltz" (RE)
9 solos (RE)
"BA
Jive" got it at an Orff Level class. Kids play B and A and sing between and recorder club plays whole song with DEGAB.
XYLOPHONE/DRUM CLUB 1:00
"Get Down and Play the Drum" by Jim Solomon.)
Worked out a sort of a drum line drama way of doing it.)
"Peace Round" by Patti Albritton
"Day-O" from Silver Burdette - Contributed by Linda from Florida
-----------------------
I always tie my program to social studies. We squeeze in a lot of history that way. This year we sang songs that were popular from 1890-1925.
Ragtime Cowboy Joe
The Best Things in Life are
Free
When the Red Red Robin
JaDa
Yes! We Have no Bananas
Collegiate
The Varsity Drag
I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl That Married Dear
Old Dad
Where Did You Get That
Hat?
Fascinating Rhythm
Me and My Shadow
Button up your overcoat
You’re the Cream in my Coffee
Side By Side - Contributed by Andrea Cope
-------------------------
Fifth Grade Fall Concert Program
Big Cypress Pride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fifth Grade Percussion Ensemble
Lions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Music For Children, Vol. III
Fifth Grade Orchestra,
Chorus, Recorder Ensemble & Percussion Ensemble
The Lion Sleeps Tonight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George David Weiss,
Hugo Peretti
Fifth Grade Orchestra, Recorder Ensemble
Johnnie Has Gone For A
Soldier . . . . . . . . . . Song from the American Revolution
Fifth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble & Dancers
Wakilah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Soloman
Fifth Grade Orchestra,
Recorder Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble No. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arr. by Bill Fatch
Fifth Grade Percussion Ensemble
Water Come A Me Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Folk Song from Trinidad
Fifth
Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
Canoe Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Native American Song
Fifth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
Jabberwocky . . . . . . . . . . . .From the
poem by Lewis Carroll, Arr. By
Bill Fatch
Improvisional Groups From Ms. Coogan's Class
Fifth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble & Dancers
Chatter With The Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . African American
Spiritual
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
Good King Wenceslas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Central European
Carol
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Recorder Ensemble & Dancers
Candles of Chanukah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Song From Israel
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
The First Noel . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .French Carol
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble No. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arr. by Bill
Fatch
Fourth Grade Percussion
Ensemble
Jingle Bells (Sing-A-Long) . . . . . . . . . . . Traditional American Carol
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble
Music For Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Orff/Gunild
Keetman
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble & Dancers
Hiawatha, Owlet, My Owlet . . . . From the poem by Longfellow, Arr. By Bill
Fatch
Improvisional Groups From Mr. Brickzin's Class
Fourth Grade Orchestra, Chorus, Recorder Ensemble & Dancers - Contributed by Linda Z in FL
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I used the book "The Mitten" (Jan Brett) for a winter program last year that turned out really cute. The children and I (1st grade) found or made up a song/rhythm and/or movement activity that went along with each animal in
the story, as well as a movement piece with snowflakes with shiny silver and blue streamers to music from Nutcracker "Waltz of the Snowflakes" whenever snow fell in the story. We used the characters in the book (paper
masks for the animals) and a narrator from 4th grade. We also, of course, had a great big butcher paper mitten for the animals to go inside of until the big sneeze.
Santa Sings the Blues is good for upper grades
Santa and the Snowmobile is good for all ages
A Winter Fantasy is good for all grades and is secular and could be done in January or February because there is no mention of holidays
Sights and Sounds of the Season is good for multiple grade levels too
------------------------------
Land of the Winter Stars
Songs: Twinkle Twinkle (w/2 verses I found in old texts), Stars Shining, Land of the Silver Birch, Ha Na Tsi Wa(Exploring Music - grade 3), Grandma's Sleepin' in my bed tonight, My Heart Soars (Donna Otto), If Only
(Tom Chapin), Flying Free(Don Besig)
Also did: Am. Indian poetry(recitation), Created a sunset effect with colored poster board sun and clouds with instrument effects (kids caused the sun to rise and set to improvised xylophones and drums)Poetry recitations
about stars and American Indians.
It is snowing, it is snowing, all around, all around.
Soft and quiet snowflakes, soft and quiet snowflakes,
Not a sound, not a sound.
Snowflakes falling down Falling on the ground.
Great big white flakes That do not make a sound.
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HOME to MUSIC ED RESOURCES IDEA LIBRARY!!!
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WONDERS OF THE EARTH
I'm about 6 weeks away from a few performances of "Wonders of the Earth" by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz. 3 performances total. One is with 3-2nds, 3-1sts, 3-ks; another with 5-1sts; and the last with 2-1sts
and 1 - Preschool class. The songs are going pretty well with the kids (lots of verses to learn yet, but they know choruses).
Wonders of the Earth - song and motions Take Me to the Islands - song and motions The Ocean's Alive - song and shadow puppet sea North Pole, South Pole - song...solos/instrumental parts Tiny Little Creatures -
song...solo/group/instrumental parts The Continental Blues (Bluesy feel)
Mighty Mountains - (Gospel feel)
For the multi-grade program the Continental Blues will be the 2nd grade feature song, while the Mighty Mountains are first andseconds together. The other 2 performances I'll be featuring a class on those two songs, so
need something "special" for them to do besides just motions/choreography. I'd love to do the CUP GAME, but it just doesn't fit either one
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WORLD OF MUSIC
When I did that program a few years back, I added the songs "Music Alone Shall Live" (german round, Music K8 arrangement), "The World is a Rainbow" (from Greg and Steve), and "Funga Alafia" (African Welcome
song from Macmillan Gr 5). I dropped the 4th song in the musical ("there is Music") and replaced it with "Music Alone..." I did "Funga Alafia" with movements and Orff instruments as the beginning song....and stuck "The
World is a Rainbow" in somewhere in the middle.
"Seven in a Boat" (continent song) K-3
"Listen to the Children" (MK8) K-3 (An all-time favorite!)
"How Do You Do Tee?" (spoken greeting piece/Australia)
2nd: "Kookaburra" Australia, "Japanese Rain Song"/"Rabbit"/"Firefly" (Japan)
"Skin & Bones" (USA-Kentucky) 2nd
"De Colores" (Mexicco) 3rd, in Spanish
"My Farm" (Argentina) 3rd, English/Spanish
"Oleana" / "Barnereinlender" (Norway) (singing/dancing)
"Listen to the Children" reprise by 1-3
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Y2K
I have been brainstorming these past few days. I am planning to present a Y2K Muscial in December instead of a traditional Christmas program. I know that Y2K programs have been a topic of discussion in previous
months. I would greatly appreciate any imput that you all might have. (My teaching has been transformed and has a breath of new life due to y'all's great ideas At first, I was going to do a review of the century's music,
decade by decade. The more worked with this idea, it appeared that I would not be able to give all stylistic periods a fair share of the program. Music has become so diverse ! I finally scrapped that idea, and I think that I
have come up with something a little more workable. The plot of the musical is as follows: an elementary school class, one that is not particularly focused on learning and possibilities for the future, is visited by a child the
same age from the year 2100. The student from the future does not have good news about the way things are going. Why? There are no great leaders, no important discoveries taking place, etc. (I haven't quite worked this
out yet.) No one is taking any initiative to change the world. The students in the present day class tell the child from the future that they are sorry, but they can't do much about it. They feel they can't do anything to change the
world. This is where I plan to incorporate visits to the class from "greats" of the 20th century who had a tremendous impact on the world despite the obstacles they had to overcome.
So far, Albert Einstein (overcame dyslexia) and Martin Luther King will visit. The music that I incorporate will be mostly K-8: It's Science for Einstein, I Have a Dream for MLK. Look to the Future would be very
appropriate somewhere towards the end. In the end, the members of the class realize that, regardless of their life circumstances that they, too can change their world, as well as the world of others. I think that I will use
"Love Can Build A Bridge" as the closer as well as the title of the production. The stage decorations will consist of a big bridge (maybe a rainbow bridge) with 1900 at one end and 2000 at the other. I plan to take slides of
students helping their fellow students, etc and in various stages of meeting goals and accomplishments. I will have these sides shown while we are singing the finale. Somehow I am going to tie the love of fellow man as a
motivation for contribution to society so the tie in with the title of the musical will be more evident.
1900-1920- Tin pan ally, Patriotic music, New Orleans Jazz, and early radio
1920-1930-Musicals, Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Classica Clues
----------Bluegrass
1930-1940-Woody Guthrie, Country Blues, Cowboy songs, Gospel
1940-1950-Frank SInatra, Crooners, Hank Williams, Big Band, Jazz
1950-1960-Rockabilly, Elvis, Doowap, Buddy Holiday, Ray Charles
1960-1970-Beatles, Dylan, Phychodelic Rock,Pure pop, Phil Spector
1970-1980-Punk, New wave, Reggae,Diso
1980-1990-Rap, Grung, Rolling Stones (?)
1990-1999-Avant Gard, Female soloist, Boys bands, Latin influence on pop
1910's-Oh, How I hate To Get Up in The Morning
1920;s-Oh, you Beautiful Doll or Red Red Robin
1930's-It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
1940's =Boogie Woogie bugle Boy
1950's-16 Tons-my students love this song!or Rock Around The Clock
1960's-Blowin' In The Wind
1970's- (Disco) Fly Like An Eagleby the Steve Miller band
1980's-Whitney Houston's The Greatest Love Of All
1990's-From A Distance, unless you prefer Vida Loca
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WILLABY WALLABY WOO
I used this book as a basis for the 1st grade music program. The 1st graders go to the zoo in May. We sang a song for each animal in the book. Willaby Wallaby... Willaby Wallaby Weachers the elephant sat on our
teachers. The art teacher and I made life size paper dolls of the 1st grade teachers.The kids were dressed as elephants and took their teacher back stage when the teacher's name (Willaby Wallaby Wrs. Wackson, an
elephant sat on Mrs. Jackson ...)was sung. at the end, Willaby wallaby Teachers... the students brought out the life size paper doll of the teachers. It was the big hit of the show. The book is by Don Campbell
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