Grade 4 Lesson 13
Teaching Procedures
Play along with different instruments to "Overture" from the Nutcracker
Play along with different instruments. You could have three different groups (woods, drums, metals). For the extra challenge, you could have students try to switch instruments for each separate section.
Listen for the woodwind instruments that play solos in this selection.
Review "My Bonnie"
This song can be used as a fun song or as a “stretch” during a class or rehearsal. The song is useful for teaching or reinforcing 3/4 meter. The song will probably be familiar to your students. If it isn’t, teach the song by rote and then teach the actions.
Do the actions while singing "My Bonnie"
Begin the song sitting down. Each time you sing a word that begins with the letter B, change position. The first time you sing a B word, stand up. The next time you sing a B word, sit down. Continue in this way throughout the song. When you sing the song faster, it becomes more of a challenge. Have fun!
Teach "Yesh Li Yadiyim"
This is a Hebrew action song. On the chorus ("Lai, lai, lai, lai ..."), a leader makes up an action and the class copies, or you can perform the dance that is suggested. Students should read the rhythms and sing the letter names for this song. Practice the song before teaching the dance or playing the Copycat Game.
Learn the dance for "Yesh Li Yadiyim"
Learn the dance for "Yesh Li Yadiyim".
I have hands that clap clap clap. (Clap partners hands 3x)
I have feet that stamp stamp stamp (Stamp feet 3x)
I have knees that pat pat pat (Pat knees 3x)
Let’s make a small circle and wait (Join hands, make a small circle and wait)
Sing the “lais” and skip around the circle. (Raise both arms on the “Heys!” After each, change direction.)
Advanced dance instructions are available in the song activities.
Teach "Christmas is Coming"
This round uses only the notes of the C scale. Read the letter names and rhythms. Sing it in unison for the first lesson of the week. When students are successful in unison, try the round in two parts.
Teach "Sarasponda"
"Sarasponda" is a Dutch song said to imitate the sound of a spinning wheel. The words are nonsense words. There is no meaning to them. Teach the song by rote. Teach the game as a clapping game. When the students are familiar with all the actions, give them rhythm sticks or lummi sticks to use instead of clapping.
Play the "Sarasponda" stick game
Watch the kids play the stick game to go with "Sarasponda".
Practice the patterns with the video.
Create your own stick patterns with the song!
Option 1: Play "Sarasponda" on Boomwhackers
Option 2: Teach the Orff arrangement for "Sarasponda"
Teach part 1 of the "Hallelujah Chorus"
This 2 part arrangement of "Hallelujah Chorus" is a challenge for your students.
A video of a performance can be seen in the last 2 minutes of the video "Handel's Last Chance" (the link is available in extensions).
If you teach this arrangement, you could show the video in one of your classes before the December break. (or save it for a sub!)