Sep 9, 2011

Piggyback Songs for the Art Room

What is a piggyback song? A piggyback song involves taking a popular song everyone knows (like old mc. donald) and changing the words to fit your own content. I use piggyback songs with my K-2 ALL THE TIME! Singing the directions will activate student’s brains in a new way and make even some of the most reluctant listeners tune in to the m message you are saying. The first few weeks of Kindergarten art I practically sing the entire lesson from start to finish just to hold their attention. It’s so fun! Here are some of my old favorites along with some new songs I made up for this year (singing these over and over can make you a little crazy, so I was desperate for some new material)….

To the Tune of : The Farmer in the Dell

My name is on my paper, My name is on my paper, Hi Ho the Dairy-O, My name is on my paper

My art goes in the folder, My art goes in the folder, Hi Ho the Dairy-O, My art goes in the folder

To the Tune Of: Gilligan’s Island Theme Song

My hands are laying by my sides, I’m standing straight and tall, my eyes are looking forward and I’m ready for the hall, I’m ready for the hall.

To the Tune of: Mary Had a Little Lamb

It’s time to look up on the board, on the board, on the board.

It’s time to look up on the board to see what happens next!

To the Tune of: If you’re Happy and You Know It

Red is quiet and they know it- Please line up!

Green is quiet and they know it- Please line!

(For a non-verbal idea to line up check out this post)

To the Tune Of: We will Rock You

(Pat your hands on your legs and clap to keep the beat with me!)

Time to, Time to CLEAN UP! CLEAN UP!

Does anyone have any other songs they use in the art room to share that help students follow directions?

http://cathy1art.wordpress.com cathy1art

Love it! My art classes are on a rotation basis…..next rotation I have K-1….I will definitely try this….even though my singing skills are less than spectacular I know the kids will love it!
http://gravatar.com/rhubarbish rhubarbish

This is such a great idea! I overcame my fear of singing in front of the kids (the younger ones anyway) when we sang a Mondrian song last year. Thank you for the new suggestions!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  I used to be a “singer” in college, so I do love to sing. The kids sometimes call my room art/music class! Too fun. Kids don’t care, they love it.
- http://outsidethelinesartstudio.blogspot.com/ Ms. Melanie
  
  Oooo! Could you share the Mondrian song? I’ve been looking for a little song to begin art class with my littles. If I figure one out I will post it.
Heather

To the Tune of: The Farmer in the Dell

Put your name on the back, Put your name on the back,
Turn your paper over put your name on the back

My kinders always forget or they write it really big on the front. They LOVE this song.

I love your song suggestions!
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Thanks, Heather! Another great one. I have a feeling we could come up with quite a collection of little songs.
Jill

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Children, Children raise your hand, I will help you when I can!!!
Clare

To transition from carpet to seats we stand up………
Its time to change, its time to change will everyone please stand up.

To line up…..
Its time to change, its time to change will everyone please line up.

In a line…a train….moving through the art room and you get off the train when we pass your seat…singing……

Down by the station early in the morning,
See the artists all in a row
See the artists pull the little leaver
Puff Puff Choo Choo Away we go
- http://www.jacquelinecassidy.com Jacqueline Cassidy
  
  One of our classroom teachers does this one with her kiddo’s before they leave the classroom and enter the hall. I’ve begun singing it to other classes as we are waiting for their teacher to pick them up from class.
  
  Walking through the hallways,
  Everyone quietly goes…
  Being respectful all the way
  Walking on our Marshmallow Toes!
  
  “Marshmallow Toes”…It makes me smile every time :)
http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com artprojectgirl

I have NO piggy back songs! I love it! Now I do:)
I sing though. . . walk walk walk, walk to the carpet, waaaalk waaaalk waaaalk.
And “the clock on the wall says it’s time to go, time to go, time to go, the clock on the wall says it’s time to go, have a very nice day!”
Dee

I am a music teacher and this is a great idea! I know general classroom teachers who also have discovered how beneficial music is not only in classroom management, but in learning facts.

For those who don’t like to sing, you can “rap” the song! Kids love to “rap” which is just chanting rhythmically. Use the same song ideas and just speak them with a fun/animated voice instead of using a singing voice.
http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley

I am LOVING all of these songs! Thank you everyone, for sharing! I also like the idea of a rap. I have done a few raps in the past but need to come up with a few more. This is so fun!
Katherine Gegner

The first thing on my paper is my name.
The first thing on my paper is my name.
My teacher needs to know,
Who did this work and so,
The first thing on my paper is my name.

(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Shanna Piatt

Here is a chant I use …
A dot, a dot, a little dot will do,
Anymore than that is TOO MUCH glue!
And of course I use the Frog Street Press color word videos from youtube.
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  I want to check out those videos- Thanks for the fun chant!
Libyad

Can’t remember the name of the original song, but it basically “the wheels on the go round and round, round and round, round and round.” repeat.

I use this for my clean up rountines.
“this is the way i wipe my hands, wipe my hands, wipe my hands” repeat
“this is the way i wipe my table, wipe my table wipe my table” repeat
“this is the way i throw away my trash, etc.” repeat

and of course, once the wiggly gigglys are out, you must end with
“this is the way i sit in my chair, etc” repeat
Kathy

I made one up last year that works great when the class starts to get too loud (K-2). To the tune of Frere Jacques:

I hear talking, I hear talking,
Is it you? Is it you?
It’s time to listen and to learn, It’s time to listen and to learn,
Please and thank you, too! Please and thank you, too!