A piggyback song involves taking a popular song everyone knows, like Old MacDonald, and changing the words to fit your content. I use piggyback songs with my K-2 students all the time!
Singing the directions activates students’ brains in a new way and makes even some of the most reluctant listeners tune in to what you’re 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 the 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!
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?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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