Charlie Over the Ocean

Kodaly: Charlie Over the Ocean is a great song that you can do with many grades. My favorite part about this song is that it helps develop solo singing and leadership. One class we will learn the song with students repeating the teacher. We will also be creative and make our own motions. The next class, when they are more comfortable with the song, I pick students to come sit in the "teacher chair" and lead the class while we all echo (I usually go sit in the students seat and act like I am a student. They love it and giggle). They will then sing and do the motions while the class repeats. Before this activity we also talk about failure and about it being a safe space. It is ok to forget some words, leading is hard! The important part is that you tried! There are always a bunch of hands that go up wanting their moment to shine.