Welcome Back!

For some in the Northern Hemisphere, this week marks the return to the school year. For others, it means the end of a holiday break and the beginning of the next term. And for some, it means that the thoughts and dreams of returning to another school year are coming.

Here are some play-along videos to use as icebreakers, rhythm reading assessments, movement activities, and for community building.

Everything is Awesome

It is the start of a new school year here in NJ and I am looking at a song that will describe the feeling of starting a school year with a more normal feel. I chose the Lego Movie’s Everything is AWESOME by Tagan and Sara featuring The Lonely Island and creating a rhythm play-along to it.

Rhythms: quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, quarter rests, and half rests.

Tip: Tempo too fast? Use YouTube's playback settings to slow it down.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

From Buttercup Storytime found at    • Pete the Cat and ...  , this changes the key to make it more friendly to accompany the music with the ukulele. Images come from Ukulele Buddy found at https://www.ukulelebuddy.com/free-uku...

"Opening Day" or "Right Before a Break" Rhythm Play-Along

This is a fun play-along medley of 30-second snippets of favorites like Queen's We Will Rock You, Kool and the Gang's Celebration, Village People's YMCA, Panic! at the Disco's High Hopes, and We Are the Champions, utilizing quarter, half, and eighth notes and quarter rests, along with a dance break. It is great for an opening day activity or a celebration of music right before a break! Check out the Body Percussion here:    • "Opening" or "Rig...  

Snail, Snail Boomwhacker Play-Along Video

In this video, I am using Canva's animation tool to record the movement of the snail. This can be used as a play-along video and a sing-along video. You could also use this as an assessment and place it in an LMS platform or Seesaw to share with your students.

Surfin' USA Boomwhackers

This play-along video is comprised of three chords: C, F, and G. Add a triangle as an optional roll in the middle of the song. During the "Sufin' Dance Party" show off your favorite dance moves!

Remember to take time for yourself and believe in yourself. I wish you the best and successful school year!