Music Teacher Tips

Holiday Teacher Tricks

Thank You! Thanksgiving! 

Sometimes kindergarten is just too long, and sometimes kindergarten songs are just too short.  So I’m always thrilled when I come across a good idea that can extend the repertoire that I can explore with my students.  This tip comes from my good friend Mr. Pablo Ocañas who I taught with for seven years.  There is a song in the “Share the Music” textbook series by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill called “Thank You”.   The ordinary and totally wonderful way to sing the song is to use the CD or piano accompaniment and add simple sign language.  The song itself is sweet enough. 

Thank You for the world so sweet

Thank You for the food we eat

Thank You for the birds that sing

Thank You for everything

When Mr. Ocañas sings this with his students and now when I sing this song with my students I add a drum track.  I know, it sound weird, but all you need is a basic beat that a kindergarten student would think is super hip.  Then you speak the words like this:

Teacher: The world, the world, the world so sweet

Students: The world, the world, the world so sweet

Teacher: The food, the food, the food we eat

Students: The food, the food, the food we eat

Teacher: The birds, the birds, the birds that sing

Students: The birds, the birds, the birds that sing

Together: Thank You for everything

Now the real trick is to make sure that you are acting the part.  Really ham it up.  Now the motions are big and exaggerated, and if you are really feeling brave you might try some beat box with your mouth, or at least ask the kids to show you what they can do.  I’m not kidding when I say that this is a true hit that they will ask for this song again.