Submitted by Sandra Carroll, Harlan, Iowa
Idea posted August 17, 2005
One of our third grade teachers in our district has her students read the chapter book Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots* in October. After the students have finished (or nearly finished) the book, we write a song about it in music class. The students name characteristics and/or actions of the main character, Mrs. Jeepers, and I write these characteristics on the board. Then we decide if we're going to write a parody to an existing melody or come up with an original melody. (Prior to this activity, the class has sung parodies, usually the Peanuts' "Pumpkin Carols.")
We proceed from this point with either: 1. the students singing an original melody to me with suggested lyrics, a phrase or two at a time, or 2. the students singing to me the lyrics to a parody, a phrase at a time. I write the words on a large piece of poster board. If there are disagreements about which lyrics to choose, we vote. After the composition is finished, we perform the song for their classroom teacher. I usually make copies of the song for the students.
* Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia T. Jones