The Months Of The Year

Here's a nice, short cross curricular piece that helps youngsters learn the names of the months of the year in order. Set in a Vaudeville-esque style reminiscent of the 1920s, it's just crying out for a little vo-dee-oh-doh-ing. The thing that makes the song fun is the (optional) use of "megaphones" - real or otherwise. An easy megaphone can be crafted of thick paper shaped into a cone and taped together. Or, as our kids in the studio did, a makeshift version can be used simply by cupping hands around mouths. Don't let them close too tightly though, or they'll cut off the sound. You just want enough to make it sound hollow. Add some vibrato to the sustained notes as indicated to complete the effect.

If you're doing this ditty in performance, consider letting kids dress in 1920s costumes. Do a search on the Internet for costume images of the era for quick reference.

(Note: This is one of the optional songs for the musical, Music Class. See this issue starting on page 51.)