Sing to Melody the Elephant. Practice distinguishing between speaking and singing voices by introducing a toy elephant named Melody. Melody the elephant will do what students tell her, if they tell her in a “singing voice.” If they speak, she does nothing. Tell Melody to “jump up and down” using a speaking voice. Melody won’t move. Then sing to Melody to “jump up and down” and make your elephant jump. Invite the students to sing to Melody what to do.

This is a preschool class with children ages 3-4-5. A few children in this age group were able to sing to Melody, but many needed help. Keep bringing your "Melody Elephant" back to class until your students can sing to her! Substitute whatever stuffed animal you have - Melody Monkey would work just as well!

Teach the song by rote. Teach the song by singing or playing a phrase and having students sing back to you.

The students sit in a circle with one student in the middle with eyes closed. The students sing the first three phrases. While they sing, the teacher chooses one child to sit behind the student in the middle. The chosen student sings the last phrase, "Guess who's caught you just for fun?" The first student must guess who it is.

Keep track on your class list of who's had a turn to be in the middle, and who's had a turn to sing alone. In the first class that you play the game, give half your students a turn in the middle and the other half a turn to sing alone. In the second class that you play the game give each group the chance to do the reverse. In this way, all students are involved in some way both classes and the class doesn't get restless waiting for their turn.

Teacher note: We don't have a kids demo for "Kangaroo". If your students would like to see themselves on MusicplayOnline please review the submission requirements here: https://help.musicplay.ca/can-i-submit-a-kids-demo

If you have had your students tap the beat many times, they may be ready to learn about rhythm.

In Musicplay, rhythm is defined for very young students as "the way the words go."

Sing the song and clap the words. If you'd rather point to the beat click on the home icon in the top corner and select the activity "Point to the Beat".

The song may be familiar to many of your students. If not, teach by rote. This version of “Head and Shoulders” is included to review body parts and to practice slow, medium and fast tempos. Sing the song pointing to each part of the body named in the song. Each time the song repeats it gets faster. Ask the students to tell you how the music changes.

Same or Different: Sing the first two measures of the song at a slow speed. Then sing the measures quickly. Ask the students to tell you if it was the same or different. Do the first two measures quickly. (Same) When students are good at telling you same or different, try singing the phrase and having students tell you if it’s fast or slow.

This song is included to have students begin to identify the rhythm instruments by their sound, or timbre. Have the students listen to the instrument. Pause the audio during the rest. Ask the students to identify the instrument that was played. Start the audio again and listen to the next instrument.

The instruments that are used are as follows:
1. claves
2. triangle
3. sandpaper blocks
4. cowbell
5. hand drum
6. jingle bells

Sing the song to students. Then, sing the song phrase by phrase asking the students if the phrases are the same, similar or different. They should discover that phrases one, two and four are similar. Phrase three is different. This could be labelled AA'BA phrase form. (AA'BA)

Sing the song, adding the actions indicated by the words.

Substitute Instruments for the claps and stamps in the song.

If you have a class set of sticks, try this version:

1. If you're happy and you know it tap the sticks! X X
2. If you’re happy and you know it scrape the sticks. x x
3. If you’re happy and you know it drum the floor. x x

Substitute Instruments for the claps and stamps in the song.

If you have woods, metals and drums try this version. (Substitute shakers for metals if needed.)

1. If you’re happy and you know it play the woods.
2. If you’re happy and you know it play the metals.
3. If you’re happy and you know it play the drums.

Teach the song by rote, adding some body percussion and actions to it:

Alice the Camel has – pat the words on your legs
5 humps. – show 5 fingers (3x)
Go Alice go! – clap the words
Boom boom boom! – bump hips with the person on your left and right

Accompany the song with instruments: (substitute freely)

Alice the Camel has – play on sticks or pool noodle scrapers

5 humps (4, 3, 2, 1, 0 or no) – play on tambourines

Go Alice go! – sticks and tambourines play

Boom boom boom! – play on conga drums, tubanos, gathering drum or hand drums

If you are using the primary video player you can slow down the video.
Use the Little gear wheel in the bottom right.

This is too fast for kindergartens, so either sing unaccompanied, or slow down the video (or watch the video for a demo of how to do it).

Optional: If a printer is available, print the storybook from supporting resources and create illustrations for the song. The mini book version is easy to create on the copier using 2 left staples.

Alternate suggestion: Draw a picture illustrating the song.

Sing and move to “Skinnamarink”.