Texas Music Educators Association Convention

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Another one of the great things about convention, other than the exhibit hall full of cool stuff, is the chance to learn fun new things to do in the classroom.

This year the first session I attended started with… a chicken song! It is a Liberian folk song entitled “Kokoleoko.”  The last line says “chicken crowin’ for day.”

One of the activities was to have the students tell what else the chicken could be crowin’ for:  popcorn, ice cream, chocolate, etc. This is chanted in between repeating the song. The students love to make up parts to songs, so this is sure to be a hit.

There were also harmony parts to sing. There is nothing quite like a room full of music teachers singing in three part harmony.  I’m not sure my classes are ready to try that yet and I don’t want to spoil the memory of the beautiful sound.

Another session included the song “Shanghai Chicken.”  This is a song I have actually done before but this presenter had a new take on it.  On the words “hoo day, hoo day” you toss a rubber chicken across the circle.

As the game progresses you add chickens.

The teachers had a great time with this.

I can’t wait to try it in my class.

After all, what can possibly go wrong in a middle school class tossing rubber chickens?