Writing New Words for Holiday Songs

Write new words for a Holiday Song:

#42 Musicplay 3 - Santa Claus is Coming OR  for PreK - 1 new words for Ring Ring Ring the Bells Learning Goals: I can write new words to a song. I can describe many different holidays that children in North America celebrate.

Activities: 1.  Teach the melody of the round by rote to a neutral syllable, such as lai or loo. 2.  Teach the words as written. 3.  Invite the students to think~pair~share with a partner about other holidays that they might celebrate. (Kwanza, Hannukah, Diwali, Chinese New Years, Carnival, etc.) 4.  Have them choose one of the other holidays and write new words for the round. For example: Hanukkah is coming. Soon light the lights. Eight glowing candles, what a lovely sight. 5.  Invite the pairs of students to sing their version to the class.   Put together a class composition using many of the new verses. 6.  Record the class singing their versions and post it on YouTube.  Send Denise Gagne the link (or an mp3)so she can share it. Ring Ring Ring the Bells is in Musicplay 1.  This is a better song for preK-Grade 1-2 students to write new words for than the round.

Have the students choose non-pitched percussion instruments and create new verses using the instrument names.

For example:
Tap, tap, tap the sticks
Tap them nice and clear
Tell the children everywhere that Christmas time is near.

Beat, beat, beat the drum...
Shake, shake the tambourine...
Ding, ding the cymbals ding....

Share your students creations!
Join the Musicplay Teachers facebook group

Musicplay Live

Registration for Musicplay Live in Washington, DC; Austin, TX; and Virtual is open!

Register for Musicplay Live!  

Musicplay Workshops

Check out our latest webinar on activities for April, including Easter and Spring activities AND Bunnies: The Musical!

Musicplay Minutes Podcast

Listen to our newest podcast on ideas for St. Patrick's Day and Earth Day!

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Youtube