Folk Songs for Elementary Music Classrooms

Here are some of the best folk songs for elementary music classrooms, perfect for learning about musical cultures from around the world.

Introduction

Folk songs are a great way to teach elementary music students about different styles of music and cultures from around the world. There are many different genres of folk music, so there is something for everyone. And, because folk songs are often passed down from generation to generation, they can be a great way to connect with your students’ families and community.

Here are some tips for incorporating folk songs into your elementary music classroom:

-Choose songs that are appropriate for your students’ ages and abilities. There are many folk songs that have been adapted for young children, so you should be able to find something that is perfect for your class.

-Use familiar tunes to introduce new concepts. If you can find a folk song that uses a melody or rhythm that your students already know, they will be more likely to catch on quickly.

-Make it interactive! Folk songs are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, so invite your students to join in the fun. Encourage them to clap along, dance, or even play instruments along with the music.

-Explain the lyrics and background information about the song. Folk songs often have interesting stories behind them, so take some time to share that with your students. You can also use the lyrics as a way to teach new vocabulary words or concepts.

-Create visuals to help reinforce the concepts in the song. This could be anything from a simple drawing or chart to a more elaborate PowerPoint presentation. Your goal is just to make sure that your students are understanding what they’re hearing.

With these tips in mind, you should be ready to start incorporating folk songs into your elementary music classroom!

What are folk songs?

Folk songs are songs that are passed down orally from generation to generation. They are often about real life events and can be used to teach children about history and culture. Folk songs are a great addition to any elementary music classroom.

Origins

Folk songs are songs that have been passed down through generations, typically within a certain community. Many folk songs began as anonymous works, and only later were they attributed to a specific author or composer. Folk songs vary widely in style and subject matter, but they often deal with the everyday lives of common people, as opposed to the lives of kings or queens.

Folk songs can be love songs, work songs, children’s songs, or even protest songs. Some folk songs are very old; others are quite new. In general, however, folk songs tend to be much older than popular or classical music. Many folk songs originated in the oral tradition and were not written down until much later.

Today, folk music is enjoying a revival in popularity, thanks in part to the work of such artists as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. These musicians have helped to introduce a new generation of listeners to the beauty and simplicity of folk music.

Characteristics

Folk songs are typically characterized by their use of simple musical forms and stanzas, as well as their often-repeated refrains. They are usually passed down orally from one generation to the next, and often have regional or cultural significance. Folk songs may also be created by a single composer or songwriter, though they are often adapted or rearranged over time by others.

Why teach folk songs in the music classroom?

Folk songs are an important part of any music education. They provide students with a connection to their cultural heritage and can be used to teach important musical concepts. Folk songs can also be a lot of fun to sing!

Benefits

Folk songs can provide an accessible and engaging way for young children to learn about music. Through folk songs, children can develop an understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm, and other musical concepts. In addition, singing folk songs can help to develop social skills, such as turn taking and listening to others. Folk songs can also be a valuable tool for teaching about history and culture. By learning about the origins of folk songs and the people who created them, children can gain a better understanding of the world around them.

How to teach folk songs in the music classroom

Folk songs are a great way to teach elementary music students about different cultures. They can also be used to teach basic musical concepts such as melody and rhythm. Folk songs can be sung in rounds, which is a great way to teach cooperation and teamwork. Here are some tips on how to teach folk songs in the music classroom.

Lesson ideas

1) Start with the basics. Explain to your students that a folk song is a song that was created by regular people, not professional songwriters. These songs were passed down from generation to generation, often by being sung at family gatherings or while working on farms.

2) Share some examples. There are many well-known folk songs that your students will be familiar with, such as “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” and “Home on the Range.” You could also share some less familiar songs, such as “The Water Is Wide” or “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.”

3) Encourage your students to listen for the acoustic instruments often used in folk music, such as acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica. These instruments usually have a very “earthy” sound that helps to create the unique folk music sound.

4) Talk about the history behind some of the more popular folk songs. For example, did you know that “Oh Susanna” was written by a man who was homesick for his girlfriend? Or that “This Land Is Your Land” was written by Woody Guthrie during the Great Depression? Sharing stories like these will help your students to appreciate folk music even more.

5) Have your students create their own folk song! This is a great way to wrap up a unit on folk music and it will also help your students to understand how these songs are created. Give them some parameters (for example, they must use acoustic instruments only), then let them loose! You might be surprised at how creative they can be.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to incorporating folk songs into your elementary music classroom. Folk songs can help students learn about other cultures, build community, and develop an appreciation for different musical styles. In addition, folk songs are often easy to learn and teach, making them a great way to engage your students in active music-making.

If you’re looking for some good folk songs to use in your class, check out the resources below. You’ll find both traditional and more modern folk songs that are perfect for elementary students.

Resource list:
-Folk Songs for Little Folks: A Collection of Traditional American Folk Songs arranged for young voices by Margaret Wise Brown
-The Big Book of Folk Songs: A Treasury of Greater than 400 Folk Songs from around the World Arranged for Piano, Guitar, and Voice by Hal Leonard Corporation
-The Best folkin’ Songs Ever 2: More Than 200 of the Finest Folk Songs edited by Sally Rogers