Jump Start

Four bars of pulsing rock drums gets your primary students ready to "jump start" their school year with excitement! The driving bass and the catchy guitar line are contagious and repetitive so young singers have no trouble staying with the music. (They'll probably also have no trouble moving with it as well!)

This happy song emphasizes the positives of coming back to school. Old friends and new ones, classrooms and routines, teachers and new things to learn are all part of the excitement of starting the school year.

Besides natural movement inspired by the music, we suggest "air guitaring" along with our guitarist, Sandy Williams. How about "air swimming" (swimming strokes in the air) during references to summer? When the lyrics list things that go along with starting back to school, invite kids to point at each of these - clothes, backpack, sneakers. Then on the word "cool," have them make a big thumbs up or an OK sign made with index finger and thumb. And of course, when they get to the word "jump" each time, let them do a (small) hop into the air. If you'd rather keep their movements less active, tell them to rise up on their toes and raise their arms up over their heads (just for the word "jump" each time). Any movement you wish to incorporate will make the tune more fun!

Depending on the time you have, and their ability to remember the words, singing the first and second verse instead of the third and fourth is certainly all right. In fact, just repeating the first verse all times is fine if it's easier for your kids. Also consider changing or substituting words. Anything that helps your students "jump start" their school year is okay with us!