Growing up, we had a large willow tree in our backyard. I remember thinking how pretty it was in the foreground of a summer lightning storm. It was always so flexible, with branches bending and swaying with the wind. It moved and danced so happily then, until it was struck by lightning and split almost down the middle. After that, it became a sad reminder of its former glory, and eventually, my parents were forced to cut it down.
PART SINGING
Though not traditionally a song used in rounds, I think it would be fun to meld this song with the circle game I described above. Instead of choosing one student to be “it”, divide the class into two circles, with the smaller circle in the middle facing the center. Have the whole class sing the song in a round, with the inner circle starting second. At the end of the second verse, have a few students from the inner circle choose others to take their place in the inner circle. Continue singing the song until all students have had a chance to sing both parts.
MELODY
This song is great for reviewing and practicing so in part because it’s located in the middle of the song (fifth measure) and is preceded by do. If your students are practicing do, this would be a great song in which to ask them to identify it. While you’re at it, ask them to discuss the importance of the pitches in the final measures, which gives them the opportunity to discuss the song’s tonal center.
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Let me know what you think of these lesson ideas in the comments section. Have you ever used this song in your classes before? If so, tell me all about it!
4 Responses
I love this song and do it in 4th grade to introduce the dotted eighth/sixteenth note ( we call it tim-ki). For some reason, is always comes around Valentine's day and I make the girls choose a boy and the boys choose a girl. I tell them it is just about friends, but they get super funny about it. Haha.
Ha, I bet they do! When I was in elementary, the boys got to choose their dancing partners for "pioneer day". The girls had the option of turning them down. It was quite the event 😉
I have to admit, I was very excited about hearing your singing voice on film and was disappointed when it was just a piano playing instead 🙁 HOWEVER I did not know this song and I think it's beautiful! Thanks for continuing to share great lesson material! #fermatafridays
Haha, maybe someday it'll be my voice, but don't hold your breath 😉