Oats and Beans and Barley
Grains and legumes form the basis for diets all around the world, however they are farmed. This lilting song from England follows their growth.
Song Theme: social studies
Lukey’s Boat
Around the world, people fish for a living. Find out what its like for one man, Lukey, in this rollicking folksong from Newfoundland (or Nova Scotia or ?)
In Canada
Sing as is, or challenge students to compose their own rhymes for a turn at centre stage.
La Cucaracha
Folk songs can turn hated leaders into pesky bugs … dance to the syncopated “Cha cha cha”!
Down By The Station
“Puffer bellies” is a delightful phrase —fun to say and consider, even if we’re not exactly sure what it means. Grade 1 students may find it too challenging to sing this as a round, however, simple harmony may be added by having half the class sing/repeat the “Puff, puff, choo, choo” as the rest sing the song.
What Do They Say?
Pair this with “the Best I Can” to begin a social studies unit on community occupations. Both this song and the chant offer opportunities for student solo performance and composition.
The Wheels On The Bus
Make the wheels go round and the wipers swish, etc. with hand motions for this well-known song. Check out Stella Blackstone’s book for a trip to Guatemala with the bus or try the well-known interpretation by Paul Zelinsky.
The Best I Can
“What do you want to do/be when you grow up?” Answers to this question will be as varied as your students’ dreams. Help them learn how to express those dreams in this simple chant by focusing on the activities that go wityh occupations.
Chay Chay Cool Eh
“Call and Response” –a twisty, turny game where the group tries to follow a leader’s fun moves, all in the rhythm of a song.
One Red Valentine
Sing the song once with actions, or turn it into a beat-counting practice/game. The beat, as always, keeps on going as the singers think the first bar of music and start singing with the words “two red…” etc. If you haven’t tried this kind of song beforce, check out the mp4 with the counting tick to help.
