Books in the Music Room

While walking through our school's library, I have stumbled upon some new books.  Here are a few that we have used in the music room this year.

Little Goblins Ten is sung to the same melody as Over in the Meadow.

 Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear? is used the same as I do with Brown Bear but with new exotic animals. 

 Mary Wore Her Red Dress has the melody written in the back and is another great use of So Mi singing.  I got this idea from http://www.kodalyinspiredclassroom.com/ 

 Second graders are exploring train songs.  We partnered the reading of this book with Little Train of Caipira. Students then reviewed Engine Engine while moving in train lines.  Then we learned a call and response song "Chicka hanka."  After students could sing the response, we went to the xylophone to improvise.  At first students could only use E to create rhythmic variety.  Then I slowly gave them more notes until the were able to improvise in G pentatonic starting on la (E.) We kept playing with the recording and my students loved having the chance to share their improvisations.