My dh needs help with a project

[snuggles]

My dh is a music teacher at our local elementary school which houses grades 3-5. He has been put in charge of a project to teach a Song of the Week to the whole school using our in house tv station and music class. They started with patriotic songs and will move to other types as the year progresses. He has been left to do this himself and while its easy to name a few, finding enough to fill an entire school year is not easy. So my question is.... Which songs do you think our kids should know?

 

[ebaynut31]

Ok, here we go.

This land is my land
America the beautiful
Proud to be an American
From the halls of Montezuma

I'll come up with more other songs later.

 

[EdiePA]

We really think that children are no longer learning our American Folk Songs and spirituals -- a few we thought of:

Oh, Susanna
Billy Boy, Billy Boy
The Erie Canal
Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot

When my boys were in grade school, they did an integrated curriculum. Can you imagine getting the history teachers involved in this, too? Stephen Foster, work songs, sea chanties -- the possibilities are nearly endless. Check at your local library -- my Dad had a couple books titled, "The Fireside Book of Folk Songs",
that were great resources.

HTH
Edie

PS - Give your husband a hug for being such a caring educator! As my sons move on to college, I see the influence of so many wonderful teachers in their lives!

 

[Harley Chick]

I remember singing 50 Nifty United States.

Maybe he could do a Disney medley with It's a Small World After All, A Pirates Life for Me, etc.

 

[browneyes]

My dd did Beatles tunes last year in music. She loved singing them.

I like Harley Chick's Disney melodies idea. Hakuna Matta and The Lion Sleeps Tonight are songs my kids sing almost on a daily basis.

 

[Micca]

Yellow Submarine

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I found a goverment website for kids.

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/musicpatriot.htm

Good Luck!

 

[SillyOldBear66]

Our elementary school did a best of broadway show.
Of course...I can't remember one of the songs right now.

 

[J&D]

How about teaching them some School House Rock songs? I loved those songs when I was that age.

"Conjunction Junction, what's your function?"
"I'm just a bill"
"Interplanet Janet"
"Elementary, my dear, two time two is four."


Go here to find the lyrics.

 

[buzzlady]

I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...

 

[jipsy]

How about doing a survey of the kids and asking them for songs they'd like to sing? Then work them in during the whole year.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Do you have a state song? I remember having to learn "Maryland, My Maryland."

 

[Boo'sMom]

Off the top of my head:

Star Spangled Banner
America the Beautiful
Yankee Doodle
Clementine
Dixie
She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain
Puff the Magic Dragon
Home on the Range
Davy Crockett
Shenandoah
Cotton Eyed Joe

 

[Cinders]

I think in 4th grade we learned "She's Grand Ole Flag"

 

[snuggles]

Thanks for the great ideas. Keep them coming.

Harley Chick, he uses 50 Nifty with the 5th graders and they love that song. Of course if I have anything to do with it we will add in a few Disney songs for good measure.

Mystery Machine, that website looks great! Can't wait to have time to look around some there.

I told him that our Dis friends would come through for him. He is planning on asking for suggestions from the faculty too. It's a big project that is very worth while to him.

 

[TigH]

You're a grand old flag!!!