Submitted by Stephanie Carey, teacher from U.K., Becky, and Karen Waddell, Portsmouth, OH; U.K.; NH/VT; Greenville, SC

Idea posted April 13, 2004

Q: I'm looking for some fun warm-ups to use with my third through sixth graders. So far, I've got "The Cookie Song," "One Bottle Of Pop," and "Many Mumbling Mice." Anyone have some more fun ones and/or tongue twisters? -Stephanie Carey in Portsmouth, OH

From teacher in the U.K.:

Here are some of our favourite choir warm-ups:

Singing down the scale - Fluffy Floppy Puppy or Giggly Goggles
Roller coaster - Following my hand signals, the students make their voices rise and fall. When I stop, they have to stop immediately.
Step together from one side to another. Count 1-2-3-4. When that is established, call 1-2-3-Ho, 1-2-3-Ho, where on "Ho" they have to fling their arms high. Then change to 1-2-3, then 1-2-Ha, where on "Ha" they fling their arms forward. Now divide the group into two. Have one do the 1-2-3-Ho and one do the 1-2-Ha, all at the same time. My students love this.
I will eat my rai-sins and my cer-e-al to-day.
so so so so so so so so so fa me re do (all eighth notes), going up a semitone each repeat.
"My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" - Alternate standing and sitting with each "B" word. (See My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean Movements in the Idea Bank.)
Min-i-mal an-i-mal, Min-i-mal an-i-mal, Min-i-mal an-i-mal
Sung in triplets - each word on the same note - descend the scale.
Sung to the "William Tell Overture" theme
Bite A Bun, Bite A Bun, Bite A Bun, Bun, Bun, Bun
or you can substitute "Wear A Wig, Wear A Wig" or "Touch Your Toes, Touch Your Toes."

From Becky in NH/VT:

Who washed Washington's white warm woolens when Washington's washerwoman went west?
Sung on one note, ascending either chromatically or diatonically with each repetition. Ti-ti tiki-ti ti-ti tiki-ti tiki-ti tiki-tiki (8th rest) ti ta.

From Karen Waddell in Greenville, SC:

Momma made me mash my M&Ms.
ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ta
do re mi fa sol fa mi re do
up a half step each time