Walk into any Lower School music class, and from start to finish, you will see students fully engaged. Each class begins with a slide whistle (students imitate the sound to warm up their voices!) and fun folk songs such as Down by the Bay, I Met a Bear, or Bill Grogen’s Goat. We then move on to clapping games like A Sailor Went to Sea, circle games such as A Tisket, A Tasket, or beat-keeping activities like cup-passing games such as Hakasot from Israel or Obwisana from Kenya. These activities provide students with the opportunity not only to develop their singing voices but also to experience the inherent joy of creating music together.

Beyond singing, students participate in a variety of movement exercises and games to practice their awareness of time, space, and their bodies. A favorite game for SK students is Glue Dancing, where they “glue” a part of their body to the floor and dance! This activity helps them isolate different parts of their body and think creatively about new ways to move. First-grade students love Room Full of Jello, where they cross the classroom while pretending to move through jello. They’re encouraged to feel the resistance of the jello as it moves through their fingers or as their shoes stick to the floor. While many games are fast-paced, this one encourages students to practice moving slowly.

For the older grades, the most beloved game is Count to 10. In this game, students are given ten beats to move from one side of the classroom to the other. The catch? They can’t arrive early or late—they must land on beat 10 exactly! To add a challenge, the count can be extended to 20, shortened to 5, or set to any number. Succeeding in this game requires students to practice self-control and spatial awareness.

Music classes are designed to expose students to diverse musical experiences, encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, refine their musical skills, and, most importantly, have fun! On a larger scale, developing the ability to sing and move musically is a vital skill that plays a role in many of life’s important moments. While not every student will pursue music education beyond school, their musical foundation will help them grow into adults who can appreciate and benefit from music in a variety of ways. Consider some of life’s milestones and events that involve musical skills: school dances, weddings, chanting at sports games, reciting prayers in shul, or singing “Happy Birthday” to loved ones. These skills will also help students shine in our musical community events!

Lower School students are excited to perform for you at The Leona Molotsky Hanukkah Music Festival on Friday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there!