I use this song with 2nd graders in their Melody unit because it has so, mi and la. Here are some lesson ideas:
(1) While singing on different days, we add motions:
- Use Curwen hand signs.
- Sometimes, it is easier for students to move in larger kinesthetic motions than use Curwen hand signs.
Mi: Touch shoulders
So: Touch head
La: Hands up in the air
- Another variation is
Mi: Sit
So: Stand
La: Stand on tip toe
(2) Students stand in a circle, each with one bouncy ball (I call them "notes" to avoid embarrassing instructions like "Hold your balls"). :-)
Mi: bounce on floor
So: hold "note" in front of body
La: hold "note" up over head.
(3) To help students listen to high and low sounds, I encourage them to periodically to lightly place their hands over their throats when they sing. Feeling the vibrations can help them to decide if the sounds go up or down.
(4) Demonstrate the movement of notes on the staff. For instance, explain that the beginning of the song only has “so” and “mi”. “Mi” likes to be a copy-cat. For instance, when “so” is on a line, ”mi” is on a line. Students can move notes around themselves by using bingo chips on laminated staffs.
(5) Game: All students stand in a circle, holding hands high. One student is named as “Wee Willie Winkie”. He/she runs in between students through their “windows”. On the last word of song, whoever he/she is closest to becomes next Wee Willie Winkie.
(6) Students play the melody of the song on xylophones. Demonstrate high and low on xylophone by holding the xylophone vertically. Play the major scale; then isolate “mi”, “so”, “la” by taking out the other bars. Show board visual.
