Episode #177: Outside Singing Games, Part 2

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #177: Outside Singing Games, Part 2

 

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Main Theme: Outside Singing Games, Part 2

Carrie and Tanya share some of their favorite singing games and dances that are fun to take outside, especially this time of year. We have shared other singing games in MTCT Episode #13, and you can check those show notes out here.

Naughty Kitty Cat

Singing Game: Students stand in a circle with hands joined. One student is in the middle of the circle as the butter. Another student is the cat,  walking around the outside of the circle while the class sings. On the word “Scat!” the class raises their clasped hands to open the windows and the chase begins. If the cat can catch the butter, they may remain the cat for the next round and a new student is chosen to be the butter. If the butter does not get caught, they may stay and a new cat is chosen. It is helpful to sing the song on “doot doot doot” to give a time limit to the chase.

Hop Old Squirrel

See song notation here

Ida Red, Ida Blue

BINGO

Bingo is a great introduction to the grand right and left. Once students have got that, they can move on to other dances like the Vowel Dance which can be found in Listening to the Mockingbird by the New England Dancing Masters.

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Know Better, Do Better

Tanya talks about the language she models with her students when discussing music that is new and/or outside of the students' culture. She reminds students to not use the word "weird," but to consider other language such as "different" or "unexpected." You could have students help brainstorm vocabulary to use the replace the word "weird."

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Carrie talks about keeping recorders in the music room until students can place at least 2 songs before sending them home.

Coda

Tanya recommends the TV Show Dying for Sex on Hulu

Carrie recommends attending the OAKE Western Division Mini-Conference in Denver, CO on November 7-8, 2025. Consider submitting a proposal to present! Proposals are due May 15, 2025.

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