Flavor Of The Month

As the warmer months come around, our refreshments gradually switch from hot mugs of cocoa to tall, cold glasses of lemonade... and... ICE CREAM! (Or maybe frozen custard if you're from Wisconsin!) But what flavor should we choose? There are so many to choose from, where do you start? As you might have guessed, we have a song about it that might help you with your conundrum.

The refrain at the start of the tune is sung in quarter note rhythms using just C's. It merely repeats the title of the song with gaps in-between large enough for your kids to declare their fave flavors. Have a listen to the demo we made for suggestions, and know that you may change them. Use our favorites or yours, or let your classes come up with their own – in advance or on the fly. Our studio singers did, and it was crazy fun for a while. (Younger kids had a giggle when they heard "Chunky Monkey"...)

One of the more fun things about this tune is the "voice" that introduces the refrain each time and grooves along with the chorus at 13 the first time. It's done with a vocal effect that sounds a bit like someone on the phone. (Inside "scoop": That's David. Sounds like he's having a "cool" time along with the tracks.) You'll note the rapped parts are pretty relaxed, despite the driving groove and dobro antics.

For a little extra "flavor" with this tune:

• Discuss the difference between ice cream, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, and sherbet.
• Take a video tour (really!) of ice cream factories. Search on YouTube™ for "ice cream factory tour," but be sure to pre-screen whatever you share with your students.
• Ask kids, "If you could invent your own flavor, what would it be?" Let imaginations run wild.
• Make ice cream in class! You don't need to find or haul manual or electric machines in if you don't want to. Instead, find a recipe and method online for tin can ice cream. It's messy fun, but something the whole class can get into. And they'll love you for it!