Echo d m s in D Major

Teach “Johnny One Hammer”

This song is a reading song. Have the students read the rhythm and melody of the song.

Learn the actions for “Johnny One Hammer”

One hammer is represented by one fist pounding on the floor. Two hammers is represented by both fists. For three hammers add one foot. For four hammers pound both fists and feet. For five hammers, pound both fists, feet and head. To end the game, use the words “... then he takes a rest.”

Sing and do the actions for “Johnny One Hammer”

Option 1: Complete the solfa challenge for “Johnny One Hammer”

Option 2: Complete the note name challenge for “Johnny One Hammer”

Optional: Teach the Orff arrangement for “Johnny One Hammer”

Another way to play is to accompany the song on Boomwhackers. Use CEG Boomwhackers, beginning with one tube, and adding a new note each verse. You could give students CEG Boomwhackers, tone bars or Orff instruments and ask them to create an accompaniment for the song.

For “one hammer,” play along with low C Boomwhacker. For “two hammers,” play along with a C and an E Boomwhackers. For “three hammers,” play along with a C, E, and G Boomwhackers. For “four hammers,” add the high C Boomwhacker.

Teach the Orff arrangement for this song. Invite the students to choose non-pitched instruments and create a soundscape that might sound like a construction site. Use the soundscape as an introduction to the song.

If you don't have Orff instruments students could create their own accompaniments with unpitched instruments, or create rhythmic or melodic ostinatos to accompany this song.

Learn to dance "La Raspa"

Copy the movements, modifying as needed.

Teach “Mom, You’re the Best!”

Optional 1: Make a Card for Mother’s Day

Make a card for Mother's Day.

If you have a printer, download the printable card with the words to the song from Supporting Resources.

Save Paper! If you don't have a printer or don't want to print the card, make your own Mother's Day card.

Optional 2: Illustrate a Little Book of the Song

Teach “Oh, My Aunt Came Back”

Use this song to introduce or review call and response.

Bring out a world map and find the following places on it: Timbuktu, Japan, Algiers, Guadalupe, New York, and Calgary.

Learn the actions for “Oh, My Aunt Came Back”

The teacher is the leader and the students do the echo part (in brackets). This is another cumulative game, adding actions each verse, till confusion wins. Begin stamping your foot on the words “wooden shoe.” Continue the foot stamping, as you add each action. As you sing each verse, you add another action to what you are already doing.

1. Timbuktu - wooden shoe stomp one foot
2. old Japan - waving fan
3. Old Algiers - pinking shears one hand does cutting motion
4. Guadalupe - hula hoop
5. New York Fair - rocking chair
6. Calgary Zoo - nut like you! point to the kids - they point to you!

Sing and do the actions for “Oh, My Aunt Came Back”

Sing "The Music Time is Over"