Down By the Riverside

This week my students in the fifth grade music classes are learning about African American music.  The first project they are working on is writing new verses to a well-known spiritual, "Down By the Riverside".  Here are some of the wonderful verses that my classes have created.  I have been very impressed with their focus, their determination, and how dedicated they are to their lyrics.  You will see how wonderful they are..
Before I begin..a quick note about "gradual release of Responsibility" - We sang the original song, "Down By the Riverside" and then as a class we discussed the meaning of the song- peace, rejoicing, freedom, no more fighting, and no more study of war and making the best of the situation you are in.  Then we wrote a verse together:  "Gonna sing loud and spread the joy, down by the schoolhouse, I'm not going to be mad no more.." and then I left them to their own devices..here is where we are.  I think, as usual the gradual release of responsibility worked well and helped me to help the students to work alone more efficiently.  See here the results of using this method..

                                                       Down By The Riverside

By Elise Creagan

Gonna stop war and live life on,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna stop war, and live life on,

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Gonna make world peace

for everyone

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna make world peace

for everyone

Down in our heart and soul,

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Gonna shout “I love ya!”

“I love ya!”

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna shout “I love ya!”

“I love ya!”

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Fairly

By: Kayleigh and Katie

Gonna make things fair

With our voices x3

Gonna make things fair x2

with our voices

And make a difference x6

Gonna treat others with kindness

And help them fit in x3

Gonna treat others with kindness x3

And help them fit in

Gonna help change the world x6

Gonna help others

In our own town x3

Gonna help others

in our own town

And give others a good life x6

In my own town

By: Otto Reid

Gonna make a difference in the world today

in my own home town

in my own home town

in my own home town

gonna make a difference in the world today

In my own hometown

and live a life of love

6x

Gonna make people live happily

in life that is my dream

in life that is my dream

in life that is my dream

gonna make people live happily

In life that is my dream

and help the human race

6x

Gonna make life better for you

with work i’ll get it done

with work i’ll get it done

with work i’ll get it done    

gonna make life better for you

In life I’ll get it done

and help you along the line
6x

Cheyenne and Angela’s rewritten verses of down by the river side
Gonna sit down and play my flute when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sit down and play my flute have world peace forevermore 6x Gonna sit and join the crowd when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sit down and join the crowd and play our troubles away 6x Gonna sing a song with peace and love when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sing a song with peace and love when people are fighting and sign our troubles away 6x

Down By The Riverside

New Verses

By: Lucy

1.      Gonna hope for more freedom

      In the hot grassy fields x3

      Gonna hope for more freedom

      In the hot grassy fields

      Gonna hope for a better job x6

2.    Gonna fight for more world peace

     In towns everywhere x3

     Gonna fight for more world peace

     In towns everywhere

    Gonna fight and be free again x6

3.  Gonna wait ‘till I’m finally free

    Down where my work’s no pay x3

    Gonna wait ‘till I’m finally free

    Down where my work’s no pay

    Gonna escape to be free x6
More Examples to come..have a great week!

Continuation of Native American student knowledge..

Last week I asked my classes to write down facts they knew about Native Americans, starting with what they know and adding to their knowledge or clarifying their knowledge, or disabusing them of incorrect facts..here is what this week's groups came up with..

"They were the ones who started the first Thanksgiving.  
There were many tribes.
They traded with the English colonies.
They made homemade weapons.
They were very spiritual."

"They made everything from scratch.
They were very talented.
They invented many things that we still use today.
They had a lot of special celebrations.
They were never wasteful.
They were very intelligent.
They lived in wigwams and teepees.
The chief wore special headsets.
Some tribes were friends with the pilgrims.

They came to North America from when the land connected to Asia.
They were called Indians by Christopher Columbus because thought he was in India.

They have lots of traditions.
They use animal fur to trade.

Native Americans made canoes out of bark.  They dried fruits and berries. Then they ate them in the winter.  They wore animal furs.  They also took care of the earth.  They were very musical around the fire.  They use war calls.  They got into war with the pilgrims.  The English took their land.  They use bow and arrows to hunt.  The Native Americans were very thankful to the earth.  They Native Americans and the pilgrims didn't know whether they were a threat or not. 

They hunted fish.  They made their own teepees and shelters.  They traded fur for muskets. 
Colors and paintings on face
Art
Stories
Celebrations
Traditions

Honored Earth. 

Burning Sky -Watchers of the Canyon

The lesson for these two weeks is about connecting music with history and culture.  We have been learning Native American Songs and Dances for the past two days, including "Joashila" "Zuni Sunrise Song" and "Yoshinai".  All the songs use "vocables" which are syllables that have no specific meaning.  The Native American people believe that vocables represent communication between people and animals from a time before there were real words.  It does get you closer to the emotions being expressed in the song, and you have a sense of the story that might be told if there were real words.

The assignment for this week is to take the four dances that I have taught the students, and learn them well.  After that, they take a piece of music called "Watchers of the Canyon" and they use some of the dance moves I have taught them and combine them with moves of their own to create a modern dance.  This dance will combine ideas from their own imaginations, ideas they have been taught in other places, (like the "Whip" or the "Dab" for example,) as well as the dances I have taught them. The music is a combination of modern instruments like the guitar and the bass, put together with traditional Native American instruments like the flute and the rattles and drums.

Yesterday was the first day of the choreographic work, which begins with the process of picking groups.  There have been years where this is a difficult process, but yesterday went very smoothly and everyone was completely thrilled with their groups.  Last year I had many beautiful creations from this project, and I believe there will be even more wonderful dances this year. I look forward to the entertainment that will occur on Friday.

The students came to class knowing a great deal about Native American culture and history.  Here are some of the ideas they brought.

"There are many tribes, like Penobscot, Creek, Hopi, .."  "They played Lacrosse" "They lived in teepees, long houses, wigwams, and hogans."  "They used the entire animal when they killed an animal for food.  They cooking utensils, weapons, instruments, jewelry, etc. out of the other parts of the animal.  "Some of the tribes moved around from place to place."  "They were here before we were."  Watchers of the Canyon Burning Sky