Discuss class procedures with your students.
(If you've done this activity in August, skip ahead.)

This game provides an opportunity for solo singing, which helps in the development of the student's singing voice and provides opportunities to assess solo singing.

Listen to the song. Consider changing the word “rhythm” to “beat.” as really, that’s what we’re doing in the game.

Kids Demo Game Directions: Assign each student in the class a number. Have the students keep a beat by tapping two fingers in the palm of their hand or snapping fingers. The leader is always zero. The leader sings their own number twice and then another number twice. The person who has the number must come in on the beat with their own number twice, and then someone else’s number. If a student misses a beat, they are eliminated from the game. If you start with all the students standing, the students who are eliminated sit down. If you don’t like elimination games, each time the beat is missed change the tempo.

Name Game variant: Instead of numbering students, use the students names.
The game starter sings their own name 2x, then someone else’s name 2x.
The new student sings their own name 2x, then someone else’s name 2x.
Each time the beat is missed change the tempo.

This song is an excellent warm-up. It also provides opportunities to create new B sections, or create accompaniment or movement. Teach the song using the rote process.

Because of the rhythm complexities, this is a song to be taught by rote. However, the tone set is pentatonic: s,l, drm. Themelody could be taught using hand signs and solfa, or the melody could be used to review those notes if they are part of the student vocabulary.

Watch how the kids play the game, then try playing the game!

Mixer Version - choose a leader.
Wake me! Leader chooses a partner, sings and claps 2x
Shake me! Leader gently shakes the partner’s shoulders
Don’t let me sleep too late! Leader sings and wags index finger 4x
I’m gonna get up bright and early ... The leader ‘jives’ with partner
I’m gonna swing on the golden gate. The leader and partner swing
Both the leader and partner choose new partners. The game continues until everyone is included.

Add an optional spoken B section: I’m feeling sleepy! I’m feeling creepy! Someone please wake me up! (2x) Invite the students to create their own 'complaints' with a partner, and choose some of the new creations to use as a B section. For example: Summer is over. It went too quickly. Time for a holiday. Decide on a final form. For example: Sing the song (A section) Spoken part (B section) Sing the song (A section)

Double Circle Directions (simpler): Form a single circle with partners facing each other within the circle. Perform the actions as described above until the last phrase. On the words, "I'm gonna swing on the golden gate," partners link elbows, but instead of swinging, they walk past each other, passing right shoulders so they end up facing a new partner. Continue the game until the students return to their original partner.

Playing and Creating: Have the students create new B sections using the same rhythm as the spoken section that is given.

Review the rhythm names for sixteenth notes qttt (tika-tika). Sing the song using rhythm names. Denise Tip: Ask the students to clap the rhythm (the way the words go). Ask them "How many sounds are in each beat?" Teach them that four sounds on a beat is called tika-tika qttt. These are called sixteenth notes. Try playing it on instruments.

This song is an easy round for young singers to perform in parts. Try it as a two-part round before trying three or four parts.

The round can be performed as a movement canon as well as a vocal canon. Form a double circle.

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques 1. Partners join hands and take eight steps
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? 2. Point finger at your partner, change hands
Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines, 3. Join hands and jive back and forth
Ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong! 4. Clap own hands twice, clap partners hands

Learn the movements to the round in unison with one double circle. Split the group in half and do it as a two part movement/vocal canon. Work up to a four part movement/vocal canon.

Sort the rhythms using activity #6 or #8.