PreK Back to School – Lesson 1
Teaching Procedures
Sing the echoes for “Time for Music”
Talk about beat.
This is an opening song that can be used for each music class throughout the year or throughout the first 17 lessons. In PreK, you can teach songs by rote or teach them by immersion. In rote teaching, you sing a phrase (or play a phrase in the recording) and the children echo. Then you combine phrases until children can echo the entire song. When you teach by immersion, you sing the song (or play the recording) and have the children do a movement while listening to the song. If teaching this song by immersion tell the students to copy your movements while they listen to the song. After doing the movements for several lessons, they will have “caught” the melody and can sing along.
When children know the song and are singing along, invite the children to create their own verses and movements.
At the end of each verse there is an eight beat interlude. During the eight beats continue the movement from the verse and count the beats. Tell the children that when they count to eight, they are counting the beats in the song and explain that beat in music is the steady pulse that you can feel, clap or dance to. I use hearts as a visual to show the beat, and print out 8 hearts to tap on to show the beat during the interlude.
Say the “Hello Beat Chant”
The beat chants are a great way to welcome your students to music class or music time. Some music teachers teach more than a thousand students each week and it can be very difficult to remember the names. Starting your class with a name chant establishes a routine, introduces the term “beat” and will help the teacher remember all of the names.
Say the preschool chant, patting a steady beat as you speak. Say hello to four students, then say the chant again. Say hello to them using high and low voices, quiet and loud voices, fast and slow. Also use speaking, whispering, shouting or calling and singing voices. When singing hello use a variety of solfa patterns: so-mi
so-so-mi, so-la-so-mi-do or mi-re-do-do-do. In the chants where children say their own names, encourage them to use different voices.
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 the children 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 children to
sing to Melody what to do. This activity helps the students to learn the difference between singing and speaking voices. It’s also great to encourage solo singing. You can soon tell who is matching pitch and who you need to work with when they sing to Melody.
Melody became a requested part of every music class. If I forgot to bring Melody out, they asked for her. They all wanted to give Melody hugs after class, so we developed a routine where if they were sitting nicely in their places, Melody would come and give them a hug.
Optional: Read the story “All Are Welcome”
Listen to the story, "All Are Welcome."
Pause the video and sing the welcome song each time you hear the words, "All are welcome here."
Teach "Hands on Shoulders"
Say and move to the poem. Try saying the poem in a quiet voice. Then say in a loud voice. Try it slow. Then try it fast. This helps students to learn the poem, AND reinforces the preK concepts!
Following directions is really important to learn in PreK.
Another fun activity is to play "Simon Says"
Teacher says "Simon says, touch your nose." - all touch their nose.
Teacher says "Simon says, touch your toes." - all touch their toes.
If the teacher doesn't say "Simon says" kids are NOT supposed to do it. This little game is great for times when you want the students watching you.
Teach "Roly Poly"
Listen to the poem "Roly Poly"
Play the video again, can you say some of the words?
What is your favourite part of the poem?
Up, down, fast,slow, loud or quiet?
Teach “Wash Your Hands”
Watch the video to learn the "Wash Your Hands" song.
Play the video again and sing along!
Talk about other ways we can help to prevent spread of germs: don't share water bottles, cough into your elbow, use a tissue. Research says that washing hands is a proven way to help prevent spread of germs.
Also talk to the students (and their teacher) about having students use the washroom and have a drink before they come to music class. If necessary, talk about your procedures in the event that a student does need the restroom. But remember - in PreK - if one needs to go, all of a sudden they all need to go.
Teach “Alphabet Song” (Zee)
Watch and listen to the video.
Then watch and sing along with the video.
Have you sung this song before?
Teach “Alphabet Song (Zed)
Watch and listen to the video.
Then watch and sing along with the video.
Have you sung this song before?
Teacher note: Canadians pronounce Z as Zed. Use this version if in Canada or UK.
Teach “Soft Kitty”
Introduce the song by asking the children to “pet a kitty” while you sing. They will “pet” their hands as you sing. Then, invite the children to sing with you.
Discuss the song. Ask the children to tell you if you used a quiet voice or a loud voice. Have them tell you when someone might sing a quiet song. Ask them if anyone has ever sung them a lullaby. Discuss why a lullaby might be sung. Ask them if they’ve ever heard the song before. (They may have heard it on “Big Bang Theory.” On the show, Sheldon asks Penny to sing it for him when he isn’t feeling well.)
Optional: Complete the “All About Me!” worksheet
Trace the words on the page.
Color the things you'd like to do in music class.
If you want to save paper, draw a picture of what you'd like to do in music class.
