Submitted by Pam Koch, Nebraska

Idea posted September 4, 2002

I'm going to try something new with my oldest students (5th graders). I have different versions of the same songs, and I recorded them on CD-ROMs. I'll play all the versions of one song, and have students answer some questions. Some of the tunes and singers I've found include:

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding, Michael Bolton, Dave Matthews Band
Rock & Roll Hoochie Coo - R. Derringer, Van Halen
I Swear - All 4 One, John Michael Montgomery
Wild Thing - Troggs, Muppets (!), Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix
Drift Away - D. Gray, Rolling Stones, The Beatles
America The Beautiful - Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Bon Jovi
I Love Rock & Roll - J. Jett, Brittney Spears
Sweet Home Alabama - Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd
American Woman - Guess Who, Lenny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix
Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band, B. Rich, T. Scott, Riddlin Kids, C. Dulfer
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland, Ray Charles, I. Kamamawewo'ole, Faith Hill
Summertime Blues - Van Halen, J. Jett

IF this goes over well with the 5th graders, I'll invite them to submit titles for me to find different versions, or I'll ask them to do it at home, if they wish.