Nabe, Nabe, Soku, Nuke

My 2nd graders are trucking along with Re (drm, drm s, drm sl).  I like this song from Japan because it gives us an opportunity to discuss another country and culture.  I also like to "prepare" the 2nd graders for the fact that they will play recorder next year - we do the slides at the end of the lesson with me playing on the recorder.  This helps them build connections between what they are learning and what they will need to know when they begin the recorder.  This is also a great little concert piece - especially if you have any type of multicultural show.  Some students can be on instruments, some can sing, some can dance, and others can discuss facts about Japan.

This song is also great for older grades - those that need to review drm (such as 3rd at the beginning of the year) and those that are looking for a quick, easy piece to play on the recorder and with instruments.

To begin, we start with a discussion about Japan (a short one, just enough to build some connections and a frame of reference):

Then, we discuss some facts about Japanese music:

I am in love with this awesome video; both instruments mentioned above are performed.  It is nice to discuss how they work together and compliment each other. You can also add these instruments to your students' knowledge of string and percussion instruments:

Then, we discuss the lyrics.  If you have the Spotlight of Music Series, this song is included in the 2nd grade CDs - I suggest playing the song for the students:

Then, we put the lyrics with a steady beat.  This is obviously the Japanese flag.  Students can pretend to wave a flag to the beat.

Then, we organize the beats:

And then we use these rhythmic icons to represent the text.  You can have the students say "sushi" and "flag" while they track the pictures, then use the correct lyrics in both languages.

Add the correct rhythms:

Time to introduce the melody.  Be sure to read and discuss this slide:

Then, have the students sing while tracking the icons:

Add in known solfa with hand signs.  Students can sing the "re" pitch on a neutral syllable or hmm it:

Discuss the answers to the questions about Re and label/review Re.  Teach/review the hand sign for Re.  Students can now sing the entire song:

Put it on the music staff:

Let's get rid of the pictures!

Put it all together:

 Can they sing without the pitches labeled?

Add recorder (if applicable):

Some more instrumentation:

And movement (Spotlight on Music has some other ideas about moves for this song):

This worksheet gives students a chance to compose and improvise.  They can improves on solfa, on a keyboard, or on the recorder.  Student creations can be woven into a "class form" and make good intros, codas, and transition music.  If you need to, you can create a class song together on the screen, then have students create their own:

You can download this song for free at my TPT store: Nabe, Nabe