Middle School Lesson 27: Songwriting 2
Teaching Procedures
Warmup with “My Bonnie”
A fun way to sing this song is to change from sitting to standing or from standing to sitting, each time you have the letter "b".
Do the movements with the kids.
Teach “My Bonnie”
Sing the song "My Bonnie".
When you know the song, we’re going to use "My Bonnie" to create a piggyback song.
Optional: Play “My Bonnie” on Ukulele
Try playing and singing the song. This song easier to play in the key of G than in F.
Review tempo terms
Did you notice that the speed of the music in the song "My Bonnie" changed?
The speed of the music is the tempo.
You can learn about different tempos in music, and perform rhythms in different tempos.
Go to the interactive tempo tool and try some of the activities.
Make a list of the tempos that you try and what the words mean.
If there are new words, go to the teaching slides in the activity to learn what they mean.
What is a piggyback song?
A piggyback song is a song that uses a familiar tune with new words.
Sing the rabbits song to the tune of "My Bonnie".
Write your own piggyback song
Write your own piggyback song to the tune of "My Bonnie".
You can use worksheet #2 from Supporting Resources or you can write your song out on a piece of lined paper.
Sing your song. Do the words fit the melody?
Teach “Frère Jacques”
We will explore some simple songs you could use as melodies for a piggyback song.
Start by singing "Frère Jacques".
Try writing your own words for “Frère Jacques”
If you have a printer, a pdf of this page is in Supporting Resources.
Here are some ideas to start:
I rode my bike...
I want to eat...
I think that...
I wish that...
Option 1: Play “Frère Jacques” on Boomwhackers
Option 2: Play “Frère Jacques” on Guitar or Ukulele
Teach “She Waded in the Water”
Listen to the first verse of the song.
Play the video again and sing the song.
The melody of this song comes from the song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
This melody has often been used as a melody for piggyback songs.
Create your own words to this melody!
If you have a printer, a pdf of this page is in Supporting Resources.
Here are some ideas to start:
I rode my bike...
I want to eat...
I think that...
I wish that...
Teach “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
Sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
This is another song that has been used as a piggyback melody.
Try writing new words for "Take me Out to the Ballgame"
Try writing new words for "Take me Out to the Ballgame".
Here are some ideas to get you started:
I don't want...
I like eating...
If you have a printer, a pdf of this page is in Supporting Resources.
Use the Search engine to explore shorter songs
You could use many other songs for your new piggyback song. If you don't know these songs, use the search engine below to find recordings of them.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
BINGO
Row Row Row Your Boat
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Choose a tune from one of the songs you’ve explored and write your own song
Choose a tune from one of the songs you’ve explored and write your own song.
You can use one of the starter ideas given, or you can invent your own.
If you have time, write more than one verse
My mother...
I don’t like.....
My teacher...
Home school.....
Stay home...
Homework is.....
If you have a printer, you can use the worksheet in the Supporting Resources.
If you don't have a printer, just write the assignment on lined paper. Illustrate if you like!