Give Thanks | Echo Song for Orff, Movement, Ukulele, Scarves

Pull out this versatile echo song for primary students that’s about appreciation, thanksgiving, and thankfulness in November or for other celebrations throughout the year. A simple Orff arrangement, one-chord C ukulele part, scarf activities, and movement will make this a great concert piece or SEL activity in the classroom.

Give Thanks is available as a single resource or part of this Thanksgiving Bundle!

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The One-Beat Diner for Remarkable Rhythms


The One-Beat Diner is a 2-page rhythm writing music resource that features a menu full of one-beat (building brick) yummy foods that can be turned into a delicious 4-beat take-out order. Page 1 is a place to create your one-beat foods and page 2 is where you put them into 4-beat patterns.

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Waltz of the Drumsticks (The 1-2-3 Turkey)

This 2-chord song for voice, ukulele, and rainbow instruments (Boomwhackers & bells) is sure to be a hit! There’s no warbling going on here, just cantabile singing!

This song features:

  • 2 chords-G7 and C
  • 3/4 meter
  • ABA form
  • some terrific turkey rhyming

Sheet music is available on my Teachers Pay Teachers page.

Over The River & Through the Wood With Boomwhackers & Ukuleles

This resource of the Thanksgiving classic, Over the River and Through the Wood, includes parts for Boomwhackers, bells, and ukulele. Each part has audio and video files to support student learning AND in two different tempos-lento and adagio. Students learn about beats per minute (bpm) as they play their parts.

Play and learn in class or use it as a wonderful performance piece for winter concerts!

Music objectives include:

  • 6/8 meter and common rhythms
  • tempo markings
  • treble clef notation for melody
  • ukulele chords C, D7, F, and G7
  • classic American song repertoire
  • ensemble playing

Sound/Video File Example

Spotlight Classroom Musician of the Week – Thelonious Monk


Thelonious Monk, Jazz Pianist

Here are some ideas to explore the wonder of the great jazz virtuoso, Thelonious Monk. You’ll find biography info, a movement activity to his fabulous piece, “Stuffy Turkey,” some links, and advanced movement options!

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“One Piece of Pie” Round with Six Integrated Lessons

Take a look at this unique resource with EIGHT unique sound files to support student learning!

  • melody lines
  • accompaniments
  • Orff parts
  • beat keeping for rhythmic practice
  • vocal lines for solfege highlighting low so
    • sms
    • sls
  • listen in “round” form
Sound file for song
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Let’s Get This Game Started-November Edition



Why an Icebreaker?

  • It’s FUN and perfect for grades 2-6
  • A break from the routine
  • Community Building
  • Can be done in one class period
  • Sharpens listening skills
  • Builds collaboration
  • SEL benefits-relaxation, reduction of stress/anxiety

Voice Exploration

  • High/Low
  • Loud/Soft
  • Rhythmic Speech

How to Play

  • Print the 1 through 30 numbered sheets and cut into strips.
  • Give each student a strip making sure that the numbers are in random order so students don’t know the order of the responses.
  • If you have fewer than 30 students, give a couple of students two strips. If you have more than 30 students, have a few participate with a partner.
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