Reach For The Sky
by Teresa Jennings
Young students are able to demonstrate their talents on either unpitched percussion instruments and/or mallet instruments with this very simple tune. While we have indicated a small drum and tambourine as the percussion instruments of choice, you can substitute any other you prefer, such as cowbells or rhythm sticks. Mallets, if you use them, could be any you have that can play the repeating pattern that uses C and A or D and F. This could also be played on keyboards or even with handbells or Boomwhackers®.
It might be easiest to divide your students into singers and instrumentalists for this one. The vocal part doesn't get in the way of the instruments, but it does allow the opportunity for some simple movement. Just have your kids pretend to do the actions mentioned like opening a window or reaching for a rainbow.
While it would be easy enough to teach the instrumental parts by rote due to the repetition, you may want your students to read the music, too. We have created parts to accommodate this option and put them on our web site for free access. (See details on page 70.)
Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.