This carol has always fascinated me. As a student performer, I've sung and played it. As a student teacher, I taught it to a high-school choir. As an elementary teacher, I've used it within the Orff ensemble.
Kids love it too. The ostinato is easily distinguishable, although some can't exactly pinpoint where they've heard it.
Previously, I used this carol in the 5th grade Winter Program. I had a class of above-level 5th graders who really enjoyed learning to play it on our Orff instruments.
Well, this year I made the mistake of diddling out the melody on the glockenspiel a class of my 5th graders were coming down the hallway to my room. They were instantly asking about it and complementing my playing (bahhaha - we need more listening examples, clearly). I told them that if they'd like to meet me after PE during their recess time, I would be happy to let them try it then. Well, the interest was overwhelming (recess this time of year is a cold affair - I know I'd rather hang out in the music room) so now I have to weave it into next week's lessons.
Therefore, I'll begin with a bit of history about the carol. The 5th graders were using my Spooky Music Unit this year, so they're pretty savvy with musical terms, learning about the composer, and appreciating the history of a piece. Here's the slide I'll use:
We'll also listen to these two performances on Youtube. The first is from the lovely boys' choir, Liberia. I love the style of the video.
And the second is a video most of the kids have already seen. My mom always played Mannheim Steamroller around the house during the holidays. This particular video has a Christmas-light adorned house and the lights are choreographed to the music.
After viewing and comparing the videos, we'll use this PowerPoint: Carol of the Bells. I have enough instruments that the students can work in pairs and trios. However, only my glockenspiels are chromatic, and include the necessary G#.
Using each slide, we'll read the music, sing the music, "air mallet" the music, using correct hands, and then play. I like to keep the tempo using claves so the students don't rush.
Yes, the runs are ridiculously hard, but not impossible. This is more of a "just for fun" lesson. If you're looking for a more realistic version with complete instrumentation, I'd suggest this version, created by Laurie Zentz. It is fantastic!
Our school has a little store during the holiday season called "Santa Shop". The students can buy little trinkets for their family there at a cheap price. They're really excited about it!
In Kindergarten, I am a huge fan of Denise Gagne's Music Play Series (check it out: Music Play Kinder). She has a cute re-write of "She'll be Comin' Down the Mountain" - she changes the words to: "He'll Be Comin' Down the Chimney". She's written three cute verses.
Before we learn that song, the students learn the poem "Santa's Bag" (I made it up, which is probably why its terrible, haha).
Then, we click to reveal various gifts in Santa's Bag. The students can also talk about which gifts they are hoping for.
Then, we sing the song tracking the "chimney beats". I've even used this song in a program, where that particular class dressed in western attire. Cute stuff!
You can download the Power Point here: Santa's Bag
My 5th graders are working on expanding their musical vocabulary. They will be using these music listening paint swatches this week. On the front are the Italian words and on the back are the English translations. The students slide the paperclip (or clothespin) to the correct word. This is a great way to assess understanding without using a worksheet!
Another folder game for you! (I just love them). My awesome first graders were working with Holiday Rhythm Folder Games last week while I fitted them for their costumes for the Winter Program (I need a sewing machine - it was sooo time consuming).
Anyways, I'm working on a set of holiday melody folder games (including Do pentatonic in various keys, Mi-So-La in various keys, and So-Mi in various keys).
This one, Santa Songs is a lot like the Turkey one I posted around Thanksgiving time. I like to pair it with the song, "Up on the Housetop" - the verse of that song is also in Do pentatonic.
Tip: If students finish early, you can ask them to time themselves (have timers or use a clock) and have them try the task again (or you can simply ask them to try it again and see if goes faster/more smoothly). You can also sing a pattern and have students find it (or select a student to sing). You can even play a pattern on the recorder and have students find it. My students work in pairs for this activity.
While working on piece to connect a second grade class to their "Freedom Riders" social studies lesson, I came upon "Go Tell it on the Mountain". There are many versions of this great spiritual, but this version is awesome for the following concepts (for 4th and 5th graders):
tim-ka (dotted eighth sixteenth)
syncopa (eighth quarter eighth - also known as ti ta ti)
low La
low So
While looking at my lesson plans for "Bee, Bee" I came up with this idea. We've all seen those pancake activities on Pinterest - I was inspired by those as well.
For the first lesson, students learn the lyrics, add rhythms, practice using the rhythms with a rhythm tracking page, and add unpitched instruments.
For the second lesson, students learn the melody, practice singing the melody with a tracking page, and add pitched instruments.
For the third lesson, students can play the musical game and create their own compositions. They'll make a great bulletin board, if I can find the time to get them up!
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