Jammin’ in the Classroom

Hands-On Music Fun for K - 5

Jennifer Holmes

The personal viewpoints expressed in this session are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or views of Music Will.

Follow the Dancer!

• Break into groups of 4 or more (depending on class size)
• Teacher will demonstrate actions first, and then switch to the student leaders of each individual group.

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Warm-Up

Suitable for Grades K-6

Learning Standards: B.A2.K-8

Why Dance?

• Boosts memory – Helps you remember rhythms and patterns
• Wakes up your brain – Gets different parts of your brain working together
• Improves coordination – Helps your body and brain move in sync
• Lifts your mood – Makes you feel happier and less stressed
• Builds focus – Helps you pay attention and stay on beat
• Stage Presence Prep
• Feel the music & phrasing
• Communicating without speaking.
• Sparks creativity – Inspires new moves, ideas, and ways to think
• Keep a steady beat
• It’s fun!

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Movement Tunes

• Dance Monkey, Kidz Bop
• Levitating, Kidz Bop
• 9-5, Dolly Parton
• Can’t Stop the Feeling, 
• Danza Kuduro, Don Omar
• Thriller, Michael Jackson
• Hair Up, Justin Timberlake
• Hound Dog, Elvis Presley
• I Got You, James Brown
• Better When I’m Dancin’, Meghan Trainor
• Wizards in Winter, Transiberian Orchestra
• Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder
• I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Whitney Houston

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• Another One Bites the Dust, Queen
• Try Everything, Shakira
• Shake it Off, Kids Bop
• Madonna, Material Girl
• I’m Still Standing, Elton John
• Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne
• Sunroof, Kidz Bop
• Proud Mary, Tina Turner
• No Tears Left to Cry, Ariana Grande
• Waka Waka, Shakira
• Runaway Baby, Bruno Mars
• I’m Walking on Sunshine

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Warm-Up

Suitable for Grades 3 - 8

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Highway 161

I travelled around Maine on Route 161

I travelled around Maine

Just to have some fun

And when I got to *Fort Kent,

I stopped to see someone.

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Singing Game for Grades K-2

(*Wisdom, Madawaska Lake, Stockholm, New Sweden, Woodland, Caribou, Fort Fairfield)

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• Divide the class into lines of 5 - 8 students. (depending on class size)
• The ‘driver’ leads the line around the room.
• New leader every time the song repeats. 
• I like to play this on my ukulele (Chords - C & G)
• This is the original version: Highway #1
• You can change the wording to use a road in your community. 

Highway

161

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Objective: Practice singing, listening, movement, and classroom community through call & response and dramatic play.

• Set up a "bridge" using BoomWhackers on the floor (2 parallel lines).
• Divide the class into two groups – one group stands on each side of the bridge.
• The group sings together to you: "Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Holmes, may we cross the bridge?"
• You respond by singing: "Only if you’re wearing yellow!"�(Other ideas: birthdays in Jan/Feb, like reading, have a dog, love pizza, etc.)
• Students who match your clue get to cross the bridge to the other side. Repeat with new clues!

Singing Game for Grades

K - 2

Can We Cross the Bridge?

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• After the bridge game, show the Billy Goats Gruff Song Video for fun and storytelling through music.
• Learn and sing the “Billy Goats Gruff” song.
• Rebuild the bridge with Boom Whackers, and assign roles:
• 3–4 students become the trolls (under/around the bridge)
• Remaining students are split into:
• Smallest Billy Goats Gruff
• Middle-Sized Billy Goats Gruff
• Biggest Billy Goats Gruff

Each group sings and "crosses" the bridge in turn while the trolls act out their part. When the group crosses the bridge, they sit along the outside of the bridge.

Singing Game for Grades

K - 2

Can We Cross the Bridge?

To Stop The Train

To Stop The Train

In cases of emergency

You pull down the chain

Pull down the chain

Penalty for improper use

Five pounds.

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To Stop the Train

Singing Game for Grades

3-6

Beat it!

• Set the Tempo: Use a metronome or playlist to establish the tempo (start at 80–100 bpm for beginners).
• Display a Rhythm Card: Choose one rhythm flashcard and project or hold it up.
• Students Perform: Students clap (or play) the rhythm in time with the beat—solo, with a partner, or as a whole group.
• Move to the Next Card: After 8 counts, say “Switch!” Students move (walk, slide, or groove) to the next rhythm station or card and repeat.
• Repeat several rounds using different cards and tempos.

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Rhythm Game for Grades 3-8

Beat it!

UNO Color Actions:

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You Can: Print Your Own Uno Cards

Add Instruments: Use BoomWhackers, Drums, Recorders,

Body Percussion Jam: Mix rhythm with movement (claps, stomps, snaps, etc.).

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Rhythm Game for Grades

3 - 8

Music Centers!

Why Music Centers?

• Boost student engagement and creativity
• Encourage independence and choice
• Reinforce musical skills through hands-on activities
• Easy to differentiate for various grade levels

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Music Activities

for Grades 3 - 6

Our Centers Today!

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Music Activities

for Grades 3 - 6

Our Centers Today!

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I use Artie Almeida’s Rhythm Rockets for this Station - my students love it!

Music Proficiency Pack #1 (Heritage Press). I do not own or claim any rights to these materials, I just really love these resources!

QR Code for Music Centers Materials.

Music Activities

for Grades 3 - 6

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Great Job! When you can play with a steady beat, try adding percussion!

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Great Job! When you can play with a steady beat, try adding percussion!

Yes! Use centers for assessment…

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Student Instructions: Use this rubric to reflect on your ukulele song. Circle the description that fits your work best for each part!

Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca

Let’s Learn the Body Percussion Choreography!

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Rhythm Activity

for Grades 3 - 8

Fun Facts:

• Mozart started writing music when he was 5 years old and was performing for Kings & Queens across Europe!
• Mozart liked the ‘Pop’ music of his day! Rondo a la Truce was inspired by Turkish-style military bands, which were popular in Europe when he was alive. He used fast rhythms and drum-like sounds to copy that style - a definite classical remix!
• This piece is a great example of a Rondo because the main melody keeps coming back like a catchy chorus in a pop song!

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Snap

LP = Pat the lap of the person to your left

MP = Pat Your Lap

RP = Pat the lap of the person to your right

Snap

Snap

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ST = Stomp

RP = Pat Right Leg

LP = Pat Left Leg

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ST = Stomp

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Mozart Meets Movement!

Let’s organize our

Body Percussion Choreography to use with Shut Up and Dance

By Walk the Moon.

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Rhythm Activity

for Grades 3 - 8

Rondo Alla Turca - Tempo 120 - 126

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Body Percussion!

Lesson Extension:

• Compose our own music for our choreography with volunteers for our own band.
• Groove Pizza or Music Maker

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Rhythm Activity

for Grades 3 - 8

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Music Will will make all presentations available after the conference.

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The personal viewpoints expressed in this session are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or views of Music Will.