Teach the song by rote. You can use this song as the theme for a rondo. A rondo is a piece of music that has a recurring theme alternating with contrasting sections. You could create the contrasting sections as a class. Ask students to suggest 4-beat rhythm patterns. You could repeat a rhythm four times for each contrasting section and play each one on a different rhythm instrument.

For example:
A theme - sing “Whacky Music”
B contrasting section qr qr qr q woodblocks (4x)
A theme - sing
C new contrasting section q qr q Q hand drum (4x)
A theme - sing
D new contrasting section q q qttt q metals - tambourines, triangle (4x)

Instead of creating the contrasting sections as a class, you could have individual students, or small groups of students, create 16-beat rhythm compositions. Hand out envelopes of individual note cards. Tell the students to create 16-beat rhythm patterns. Show them in a pocket chart how to make four rows of four beats. (Each square is one beat in 4/4 time.) Have each student or group read their composition to you and assess.

To the Teacher: Note squares for qr q Q will be available for your use in this activity. In the Themes & Variations publication “Composing with Boomwhackers,” note squares for many other note values are included.

Compose a 4 bar rhythm pattern.

You can print the pdf in resources or you can save paper and write your pattern like it shows on a piece of paper.

Practice playing your pattern on each of your instruments. Practice at a quick tempo.

Watch the Kids demo of the song "Whacky Music."

Do you see how the kids improvise during the B, C and D sections?

Play the lyrics video again and, this time, play your 16 beat rhythm composition in the B, C, D sections.

If you play on a different instrument each time, it will change how it sounds.

Use the video to warm up your singing voice.

Note to Teachers - Folk songs are songs that were written so long ago we don't know who wrote them. Folk songs were written about events that happened in people's lives. We often ask "How does the music make you feel?" This song may make some students feel sad, even though the last verse is hopeful. This song is about losing a pet and may be triggering for some students.

Read the words for the song "Old Blue."
What is the song about?
Is the song happy or sad?

Note to Teachers - this song is about losing a pet and may be triggering for some students.

Sing along with the recording of Old Blue.
What is the mood of this song in the recording?

Open the interactive.

Clap the words for the first verse of the song "Old Blue."

Is it one sound, two sounds, or a sound that lasts two beats?

Choose level 3 for your composition.

If you would like to try another level after that, you can.

A printable template is given in supporting resources.

Watch the video about the composer Franz Liszt.

Is this piece fast or slow?

What else do you notice about the music?

Play the video as many times as you need to to answer the questions that follow.

You can print the worksheet page, or you can save paper and ink by writing the answers on your own piece of paper!