Listen, Learn, and Love Music

Summary

Here are activity ideas to support the songs on the Listen! music CD by the artist CJ.

Materials

• Listen! music CD, by CJ
• Listen! songcards

The CD and songcards are available for purchase at National Educational Network

Intended Learning Outcomes

2. Develop social skills and ethical responsibility.
3. Demonstrate responsible emotional and cognitive behaviors.
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written and nonverbal form.

Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Many times the actual song that you are singing would be considered an invitation to learn for the concept you are teaching. If you are using the song as a transitional tool, an invitation to learn may simply be recalling their attention to the song that you are about to sing.

Instructional Procedures
Because each song on the Listen! CD is so different and can have so many possible extensions, instructional procedures are written for each song.

Green Grass Grew All Around
Use this song when you are studying plants. It also is great for teaching the concept of sequencing. It is fun to make picture cards of the different items in the song and then have the students place the cards in the correct order according to the sequence of the song.

Dino Round
This song is a fun way to introduce the concept of rounds to first graders. The text is fun and easy so it works well to sing as a round. Rounds are difficult for first graders but they can do it with a little practice.

There Was an Old Lady
This song is a favorite for all children. This is another great song to use when studying sequencing. Picture cards of the different animals can be created and students can place the cards in the correct order according to the sequence of the song. Because the animals grow in size each time the lady eats one, this song is also great for talking about measurement words. For example, the fly is the smallest, the horse is the largest. The spider is larger than the fly but smaller than the dog, etc. This song also has some great probability lessons. See The Old Lady and Probability for more details.

One Bottle O' Pop
This song is another round. This is a little more difficult than the Dino Round so it is better to introduce it later in the year after the concept of rounds has been introduced.

Al and Etta
Incorporate interactive writing with Al and Etta. Parts of the song are left off for you to finish. Brainstorm ideas with your class and come up with some fun new words. It is also fun to rewrite the words each time you sing the song so that all students feel like they are composers. Here are some ideas…

Jolly Jelly beans of green, now you know just what I mean…
Jolly Jelly beans of red, I don't want to go to bed…
Jolly Jelly beans of blue, one for me and one for you…
Jolly Jelly beans of black, I keep them in a great big sack…
Jolly Jelly beans of white, I like to eat my beans at night…

Rattlin' Bog
Use Rattlin' Bog to teach sequencing. The rhythm is catchy and fun. Students could be given word or picture cards to put in the correct order of the sequence of the song.

Pizza Hut
This song is instrumental. This is a great song to use with students when they have their own instruments and can play along. Instruments can be anything from bells and chimes to homemade drums or even snapping fingers.

Comin' Round the Mountain
Another children's favorite that is great for practice with melody. Because of the actions that can be done while singing, this song is also great for coordination development. It can also be used to review sequencing.

Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
This song adds a new part each verse so it works well when studying sequencing. Picture cards or word cards can be made for students to place in order as the song is sung.

BLT
BLT will quickly become a classroom favorite. It is a three-part round. The melody and the words are very simple so it is not too difficult for first graders.