Wallflowers is an old singing from the UK. A version of the singing game was found in the "The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland" published in 1898. Wallflowers are wildflowers that grow in Ireland. In the Musicplay variant of the song, May had the measles. In 1898 the measles was a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Today, measles can be prevented with a vaccine. The students may be able to read the rhythm and melody of the song. If your students do not know solfa, teach the melody by rote.

Divide the students into groups of four and have them make a word chain out of the names in their group. Have them decide on a body percussion for each name. Use the first eight measures of the song as the theme, and each group’s performance will be a variation in a rondo.

This song is used to teach or review tempo terms. Play one verse or sing the song to the students. Teach them the actions for the song. Tell the students you’re going to try singing "Chester" at several different tempos. The actions get more and more challenging as the tempo increases. Repeat the song four times, getting faster each time. When you teach or review a musical term, add that term to your musical word wall.

Chester - left hand to chest
have you - point
heard about - cup ear
Harry - pull hair
just got back from the - slap back over left shoulder, then right shoulder
ar- - touch arm
-my - thumb to chest
I hear - cup ear
he knows - touch nose
how to wear a rose - with your left finger, circle an imaginary corsage pinned to your shirt
hip hip - hit left hip with left hand, then right hip with right hand
hooray - thrust fist into the air
for the ar- - touch arm
-my - thumb to chest