That’s why when they came running into the music room yesterday with their stuffed groundhog who they had named Muckmuck, I decided to forego part of the prepared lesson and ask them to make up a song about their stuffed friend. When I realized they were having trouble composing a tune, I gave them a 2 note call and response theme which allowed them to concentrate on the lyrics alone, very easy to remember and the whole class repeated the singer’s line.  They decided that Muckmuck was in the Olympics and therefore their song included many of the Olympic sports: speed skating, curling, bobsleigh, luge, figure skating and, of course, ice hockey. They were clearly keen on their groundhog being an Olympic Athlete.

Catch you next time!

Maria

Let’s look at the word “population”. All kids know the word pop, you, lay and maybe shun.  Our call and response could be done this way.

Call – Pop

Response – Pop

Call – You

Response – You

Call – Pop You

Response – Pop You

Call – Lay

Response – Lay

Call – Shun

Response – Shun

Call – Lay Shun

Response – Lay Shun

Call – Population

Response – Population

Lots of words can be broken down this way for fun learning for the children.

You’ll find, on my website, a video of a West African call and response song I did with the daycare kids. It is called Toom-bah-ee-lero and features the Djembe drum with children doing their own creative dance and others playing drums.

Until next time!

Let the music move you.