Round- Frere Jaques

Frere Jaques is a round everyone should have in their Kodaly toolbox. This song can be used to teach rounds, low sol, and half notes. I typically start having my students start singing simple rounds in 3rd grade to get their ears ready for choir which starts in 4th grade. We typically learn Frere Jaques in English first and then learn it in French. I find that many students have heard the song before but do not know the meaning of the song. When they learn what the song is really about they are usually surprised and laugh.