Submitted by Laura Bryant, New Mexico
Idea posted October 28, 2009
Just have to share this fun lesson. It worked so perfectly and the kids LOVED it! On a whim, I've now tried it with K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders, modifying slightly depending on the age group.
We read John Feierabend's poem "Cowboy Joe," with each stanza ending in "... his cowboy call." To which the students all yell, "Yeee-haw!" each time the phrase is read. (I played Gene Autry's version of "Home On The Range" in the background.
We then learned and sang "Little Ol' Cowboy" (from Music K-8, Vol. 18, No. 5) dividing the class with boys on one side, girls on the other. (We put on our imagination caps and of course had a cracklin' campfire in the middle of the two groups.) They sang their little hearts out!
Then, I found a version on iTunes of "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain" played by The Pine Tree String Band Old Time Banjos, and played it in the background while I read Philemon Sturges' book version. (If you start reading right at the beginning of the recording, you can either sing or say the words with the music and it ends at precisely the same point.)
Then, we quickly got in a circle and danced to "Old Brass Wagon" (from Music K-8, Vol. 17, No. 1), simplifying the dance as needed for the different age groups.
We ended class time with "Happy Trails To You," and everyone LOVED it!
It was a great time to talk about respect for others and a bit of history, and it got the kids prepared for a Cowboy Symposium that was coming to our town.