4th and 5th grade Songs

[nafmeadmin]

My 4th and 5th graders – like most that age I’m sure – are very weary when I present songs for them to learn. If it’s the least bit childish they don’t want any part of it. I just finished using a pop song (Firework) to get them singing a little and practicing musical concepts, but I’m thinking of doing a jazzed up folk song (body percussion and aux instruments with the piano part).

Please share which songs have been your students’ favorite in this age group.
Thank you!!

[nafmeadmin]

In fourth grade I teach a lot about country musicians (we are a farming community). Country tends to be the favorite. I do teach about Rock too. I start off the year learning about John Denver and we sing “Country Roads”. The kids really like learning about the artist and then I do competitions with them on which group can come up with the most facts about the artist we are studying at the time. We are just finishing up Johnny Cash and will soon move on to The Winter Dance Tour (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper). I then teach them “La Bamba”. Once they hit 4th grade getting them to sing “kid songs” doesn’t really work that well. It definitely needs to be something they will be interested in!

[nafmeadmin]

There is a song called “Someone’s in the Kitchen” and it involves a small ensemble of kitchen utensils. We performed it at an ILMEA district festival and the 5th graders loved it. “Appalachian Dances” is another huge hit with the kids. If you need a good 5th grade Jazz song I suggest “Accentuate the positive,” it is always a big hit!

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