Have the students read the rhythm of the song from the projectable concept slides, notation video, student books or write the rhythm on the board for them to read. Read the song in solfa or if you prefer, sing the melody to the students, showing them the melodic contour. You could have them point to the notes as they sing, or write the song on the board.

This would be a good song to have the students show the melodic contour of a song. You can show melodic contour with arm motions, or give a student a flashlight and have them “draw” the melody on the wall. Later, you could have the students draw on a piece of paper how the melody goes and use this as an assessment of how well they can show the melodic contour of a song.

Teach and play the game.

The basic clapping pattern for this game is that of pat-a-cake. Clap your own hands and then both your partner’s hands. This very simple clapping pattern is the first clapping pattern to use with your students. An interesting twist can be given to this simple pattern by doing additional actions. On the word "hot" fan your face. On the word “cross” cross your arms on your shoulders. On the word "buns" touch your bottom. Do the clap pattern on the words "One a penny, two a penny." This is fun and adds considerable challenge to what was previously an easy clapping game.

Ask the students if the notes move by steps or by skips. This song clearly shows the notes moving by step. Play the song for the students on step bells or a wall piano (vinyl floor keyboard hung up on the wall). It is easy to see on an instrument how it moves by step.

Teacher note: This is not the same rhythm as the song above but this activity has been included because it has a built-in glockenspiel to show how the notes move by step or skip. An alternative tool to use is the virtual piano that you can find under "Toolbox".

Creative Ideas: As a B section, use the following poem. I went into the bakery and what did I see? I saw a hot cross bun just a-lookin’ at me! During the B section have the students who are playing the clap game look for a new partner.

Decide how to play along with the music.

You could clap, pat or stomp.
-or-
You could choose instruments.

In the first activity, you're going to make LOUD and quiet patterns.

LOUD LOUD. quiet quiet.
LOUD quiet. LOUD quiet.

Say and clap your pattern. Use LOUD and quiet voices.

Try activity 2 from the interactive menu. Perform rhythms loud or quiet.

Tell students that musicians use the terms "forte" (f) for loud and "piano" (p) for quiet.

This is a song that you might sing in an Earth Day assembly.

Discuss with your class why we should try to reduce the garbage we make.

Can you think of ways to reduce garbage?

Can you create movements to go with the song?