Choose body percussion or instruments and play along.

The melody of this song may have come from a Neapolitan song. The words were first published in 1886 in German. Paganini, Chopin, Johann Strauss and others quoted the melody in compositions. Today is a favorite action song in many
languages.

This action song is fun to sing and provides further reinforcement of the 3/4 time signature as well as the dotted half note rhythm.

The Crawdad Song originated in the southern United States. It was first published by Cecil Sharp in a 1917 song collection. It may have evolved from Anglo-American and African-American workers who were building levees on the Mississippi River.

Teach the song by rote. Sing or play four measures of the song at a time and have students echo each sequence.

Review with students what a tie and a slur do. A tie holds the note for the value of all the notes that are tied together. A slur connects two different notes. There is a slur on the word “pole” in this song. Have students find the words that have slurred notes in the song. (honey, pole, Babe, hole and Baby)

Teach the Orff arrangement for the song. Improvise 16 beat melodies using DEF# AB between verses.

Alternately, invite a few students to improvise on unpitched rhythm instruments along with the recording. This song might work well with spoons. Choose instruments that you have available.