Harmony
My 2nd and 3rd graders started laying the groundwork for harmony singing last week. One Bottle of Pop. Alfred the Alligator. My Dog Treed a Rabbit. Kookaburra--both the "normal" and "naughty little kid" versions. We talked about harmony and its definition (a room full of 2nd graders bellowing, DIFFERENT SOUNDS THAT WORK TOGETHER!!!). I showed them some examples: All singing "One Bottle of Pop" is not harmony...why? Because we're all singing the same thing. It has to be different sounds. Same thing, but with the guitar--is this harmony? Yes! The guitar is different. Then a funny example: Singing "One Bottle of Pop," while I play the accompaniment to a different song, in a different key and different meter. Above the giggling and puzzled looks, I ask again. NO! It sounds like a big mess. Doesn't work together. The big punch line is happening this week, when we start applying this stuff, singing rounds and partner songs