This song is a traditional sea shanty, often sung when raising a sail, or raising the anchor. (Referred to when you sing “up she rises”) There are four verses recorded in this arrangement, but many more can be found. Have your students create new verses for the song.

Read the rhythms and sing the note names for the song. This would
also be an excellent rhythm erase or rhythm dictation for later.

Add movement to “Silly Sailor”. Have each student find a partner and do the movement suggested to go with the song or have them create their own.

This song can be played using only two chords. Accompany the song with guitar, ukulele, or Boomwhackers. If you are playing the chords on Boomwhackers, for D minor use D-F-A, and for C use C-E-G. Have your students create new verses for the song.

This song can be played using only two chords. Accompany the song with guitar, ukulele, or Boomwhackers. If you are playing the chords on Boomwhackers, for D minor use D-F-A, and for C use C-E-G. Have your students create new verses for the song.

Read the words of the Plastics Poem.

Think of things that you could do to help reduce plastic pollution.

For example: I could use cloth shopping bags

Write 2-5 new lines. You can use the worksheet that's provided, or write on a piece of paper.

Read the lines you’ve written and choose the 2 (or 4) you like the best.

Decide on a form for your composition. For example:
A Read the poem
B Read your new lines
A Read the poem again

Extra Challenge: Create an ostinato with mouth sounds. An ostinato is a pattern that repeats.

For example: tu ch-ch tu ch
ta ti-ti ta ta

Do the mouth sounds while someone else in your home reads the poem. Incorporate this into your performance.

Review the song.

Compose your own Rhythm using the Interactive Rhythm Composition tool.

Choose Level 6. You click on the notes or rest to enter them.

Then choose the instrument that you'd like to play them.

Press play, and try performing the new rhythm that you've created.

Try creating new rhythms and playing on new instruments.

When you have a rhythm you like, copy it onto a piece of paper, and play it with the tracks that follow.

Try playing your rhythm composition with this audio track!