Read the slides to learn about the Maori stick game.

E Papä is a tïtï törea, or a Maori stick game. The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. In the past, stick games trained young men in spear fighting. Today, the stick games are played with short sticks. The words mean, “Alas I will die; oh girl, return to me.”

Teach the song by rote. The song is meant to provide experience in 3/4 time. Most students should be able to master the first and second patterns. The third and fourth patterns might be difficult and can be used as a challenge for students who find the first two patterns too easy. Some students might enjoy making up their own stick patterns for this song.

Watch the kids play the stick game. Try it out! The first variations are easy, and then they get more challenging.
Create some of your own stick patterns.

First Time: tap floor tap own sticks together twice

Second Time: tap floor tap partner’s sticks twice

Third Time: tap floor tap own sticks together tap right sticks with your partner tap floor tap own sticks together tap left sticks with your partner Say: floor, own, right, floor, own, left

Fourth Time: tap floor tap right sticks with your partner, tap left sticks with your partner tap floor tap left sticks with your partner tap right sticks with your partner Say: floor, right, left, floor, left, right

This is a link to a Polynesian Cultural Center video of the Titi Torea.

"Donkey Riding" is a sea shantey. It's perhaps Canada's best known sea shantey.

Learn about sea shanteys from the video below.

Teach the song by rote and sing it with expression as the markings indicate. “Donkey Riding” is about a steam engine, or “donkey,” that is used to load ships.

Listen to the choir sing "Donkey Riding"

Ask the students to tell you what they noticed and what they wondered about this performance.
I noticed....
I wondered...

Optional: Learn a Cup Game with “Donkey Riding”

Game Directions: Form a single circle with partners facing each other in the circle. During the verses, clap as follows: clap own hands, clap both partner’s hands, clap own hands twice (repeat four times). At the chorus, clap your own hands two times on the words, “Hey! Ho!” Pat legs on the words, “Away we go.” On the words, “Donkey riding, donkey riding,” plié twice. Repeat this part. When you sing, “Riding on a donkey!” exchange places with your partner, jump around and begin again with a new partner.

Read the slides to learn about articulation: Staccato and Accent

Mirror the movements in the video.

Have each student choose a partner.
One student will be leader and the other the mirror.
Play the video again, and have students create their own mirror movement.
Switch so each student gets a turn to be leader.

Is the "Sarabande" played staccato, accented or legato?
The players smoothly connect the notes, so this is legato.

Copy the paper plate movement.

After trying these ideas, create your own!

Is the Sarabande played staccato, accented or legato?
The players smoothly connect the notes, so this is legato.