Let's Build A Gingerbread House

by Teresa & Paul Jennings

Even your youngest singers will be able to join in with this little tune. It has a bouncy swing style and sweet, simple lyrics. By the time they learn it, they will all be "experts" on gingerbread houses. (Just ask them.)

Add movement! - Performing the song in front of an audience will certainly be enough to yield the "awwww" factor. But if you really want to get to them, consider adding a bit of movement as well. Our choreographer, Melissa Schott, has created some adorable dance moves that you can imitate or adapt as you prefer. For information on accessing her video and teaching notes, visit MusicK8.com (See details on page 76.)

The second time through the song, the melody may be whistled. Don't fret if your kiddos can't whistle very well. That will just add to the cute factor. If you want to skip it, that's okay, too.

While the end of the song mentions the demise of the gingerbread house, we don't actually encourage this. It might be a good idea to talk with your students about when it is appropriate to take apart and/or eat a gingerbread house. Notably, when parents say so. (Not all gingerbread houses are meant to be eaten, and frankly, by the end of the holidays, ours are often too stale to enjoy. But they sure are pretty to look at.)

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.