Wee Willie Winkie

This song is one of those that just "keeps on giving."  I started using it as a piece to practice using our four voices, but eventually it evolved into teaching everything from adding instrumentation that connects to the text to solfa (mi so la).

In kindergarten, the students first learn the words as a speech piece.  I used to use a poster to illustrate the song, but this year I used PowerPoint instead.  I use the first few slides with the text and pictures to help students understand the lyrics of the song.

 After that, the students add four voices to the lyrics.  We talk about which parts match which voice (for example, "Crying at the locks" - we'd use our loud voice).

Next, we play a favorite little game.  Students love the movement, and they love trying to "sneak" opening their eyes when "Willie" comes to get them.  Usually, I reserve the role of "Willie" for myself, that way the students can't argue "But I had my eyes closed."  Sometimes, I'll give the role to another student, or ask for "helpers" and they'll play with me.  Either way, it is always a favorite.

For the next lesson, the kinder students add instrumentation based on connections to the text.  This prepares them for doing so later with longer stories and books.  It also exposes them to a variety of instruments that we'll use regularly in kinder.

We also discuss the steady beat of the song and keep it in a variety of ways while tracking the "door" icons:

This year, with my current first graders, we will extend the learning to include:

Rhythm Icons

Rhythm Symbols

Organizational Tools

The students will also add pitches to the song (which can be played on boomwhackers since it is in C major):

Melodic Icons - can use with younger students to prepare mi so la

Melodic Icons on the Staff

Melodic Icons with Solfa (off the staff is also included, along with slides for introducing la

correct rhythmic notation on the staff

All together now!

You can download the PowerPoint here.  I've included lots of tips and suggestions for teaching in the "notes" section of most of the slides.  I hope your kiddos enjoy this song too!

Labor Day Sale

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3rd Grade Listening Recommendations

With my older students this year, I'll be "weaving in" tips for finding and fun experiences with quality music.  So much of what our students are exposed to musically on the radio and various other medias is just completely inappropriate, either musically, vocally, or simply due to the content.  The plus side is - students have unprecedented access to music.  They can find it on the radio, TV, iPads/Pods/Phones - everywhere.

My students love opportunities to listen and learn about music, and I'm always looking for clever ways to keep them engaged when we do this.

However, this year, I'm really trying to focus on giving the students opportunities to be reflective about their own choices and learning, and also provide them more time to get feedback from me and discuss things we are learning with their peers (love learning partners!).

To educate myself about what they are listening to (although I mostly know, don't we all) and to spark conversations in the classroom, I assigned the students optional "homework."  I encouraged them to complete this with a member of their family.

I showed the students a few models:

And discussed ways students could find music (being sure to ask for parental permission first):
1. Ask parents, friends, and family members
2. Use a computer - ask parents - youtube, Arts Alive, San Fran Symphony for Kids
3. Use a smart phone, mp3 player, or tablet- music apps such as Pandora, iTunes, and Spotify
4. Radio in the car

I told the students that they could use (with parental permission) any such resources to help them complete their "homework".  Many students eagerly turned in their papers the next day (especially in my bilingual class - which is why I've included a version in Spanish).  Next time, however, I'll include a few instructions (with websites or apps to use) at the top of the page (more so for parents) and have the listening response form on the bottom.

I posted a few responses outside my room, with plenty of blank slips for students to turn in as they find new music (and as I continue to show them new ways to find quality "new" music).  I'll be opening up this concept to my 4th and 5th grade classes soon as well.

You can find the forms (in English and Spanish) as a little freebie here: Listening Recommendations











I'd also recommend this printable (a bit more extensive for grades 4 or 5):