Feel free to try the K-1 or 2-3 rhythms as well. Just click on the other lessons under “Home Lessons”
Here is a video made by a friend to practice clapping as well! Some of the rhythms are meant for Middle-schoolers, but even if you aren’t successful on the first try, he leads you through it.
Optional: Try this Lego activity I recorded for the 2nd and 3rd graders
Last week, we were also talking about dances driving pop music forward. Here is a version of a dance that was super popular when I was younger:
Think about how TikTok has made songs popular because of the dance challenges! (That’s not an assignment, just think about it)
Baby Beluga is a song by Raffi about an imaginary beluga whale. We pass my belgua puppet around the room on the beat while we sing.
I keep the beat using a hotel bell and we pass, hug, pass, hug, pass, hug, pass, hug…
Lyrics: Baby beluga in the deep blue sea Swim so wild and you swim so free Heaven above and the sea below And a little white whale on the go
Baby beluga, baby beluga Is the water warm Is your mama home with you, so happy
Way down yonder where the dolphins play Where you dive and splash all day Waves roll in and the waves roll out See the water squirtin’ out of your spout
Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga Sing your little song Sing for all your friends, we like to hear you
When it’s dark, you’re home and fed Curl up, snug in your water bed Moon is shining and the stars are out Good night, little whale, good night
Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga With tomorrow’s sun, another day’s begun You’ll soon be wakin’
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea Swim so wild and you swim so free Heaven above and the sea below And a little white whale on the go You’re just a little white whale on the go
A call and response song I like to use to differentiate between the childrens’ voices and my own. They respond back to me up an octave. Key of G, normally on guitar.
Lyrics: Down by the Bay (Down by the Bay) Where the watermelons grow (where the watermelons grow) Back to my home (Back to my home) I dare not go (I dare not go) For if I do (For if I do) My Mother will say (My Mother will say) Did you ever see: *Insert rhyme* Down by the Bay!
Rhymes: -a fly wearing a tie -a goose kissing a moose -a llama wearing their pajamas -a dog sitting on a log -a cat wearing a hat -a bear combing his hair etc. I like to have the kids come up with their own rhymes or I will use their names to rhyme one.