Memorize the shamrock rhythm patterns

Memorize the rhythm patterns. Hide one pattern at a time until you are left with only the shamrocks.

Try the patterns using body percussion or unpitched percussion instruments.

Teach “St. Patrick’s Day Jig”

Teach the song by rote and play the game.

Learn the game for “St. Patrick’s Day Jig”

Have the class form a circle. Choose one student to be a leprechaun. The leprechaun marches around the inside of the circle. At the end of the second phrase, the leprechaun stops in front of a student. They join hands and they “jig” - left heel forward, right heel forward, etc. The students in the circle should do a “sailors hornpipe” at the same time (fold arms and jig in place). Now two students march in the inside circle. They choose two more partners and jig again. Continue with four, then eight, until the entire class has had a turn.

Sing and play the game with “St. Patrick’s Day Jig”

Optional: Play “St. Patrick’s Day Jig” on Boomwhackers

Learn the A Section of “A Leprechaun Wish”

Read the rhythms. Read the solfa notes or pitch letter names. Sing the song.

Have students think of what they would wish for if they caught a leprechaun. Have them practice saying their wishes to a steady beat.

Perform "A Leprechaun Wish"

Sing the song as the A section.

Have four students say their wishes in the B section.

Sing the A section again.

Have four more students say their wishes.

If you have barred instruments, you could accompany the theme with a C-G bordun instead of playing the video.

Optional: Complete the Leprechaun Wish Worksheet

Echo drm s Patterns in D

Echo the solfa and show the hand signs.

Teach “Old Blue”

Ask the students to tell you about dogs that they’ve had. Maybe some of your students can share experiences they’ve had with dogs. (You may need to limit discussion.) Tell them that “Old Blue” is a song about a dog. Teach verse 1 and the chorus of song 67. "Old Blue" by rote. Listen to all the verses and sing the refrain.

Have the students read the rhythms and read the solfa notes.

Ask the students to tell you how the song made them feel. How did the music contribute to that feeling?

Sort the rhythms for “Old Blue”

Option 1: Complete the solfa challenge for “Old Blue”

Option 2: Complete the note name challenge for “Old Blue”

Optional: Teach the Orff arrangement for “Old Blue”

You can accompany this song with I and V chords using Orff instruments, Boomwhackers, or ukuleles.