Children love songs about insects, creepy crawlies and small intriguing creatures. As we sing about them, we can also teach the next generation to protect and value these essential organisms on this planet. Much has been written in the scientific world about the devastating impact humans have had on our environment, to our own detriment, with our thoughtless use of toxic insecticides, pesticides and other poisonous-cides. Most households have an array of chemical sprays and powders which are often used with gay abandon, a large pinch of ignorance and sometimes small and curious hands that should not be able to reach that shelf, but do.
The current plight of honey bees the world over lends urgency to this topic. I recommend (for interested adults) a brilliantly researched though deeply sobering book written back in the 1950s by Rachel Carson, addressing this very issue. More than ever, her message needs to be heard and heeded. 'Silent Spring' refers to the silence which descended in areas struck by death-en- masse of entire colonies of birds following indiscriminate campaigns by authorities on 'pests' and 'weeds'.
Dr.Seuss's fantastical story of the Lorax will invite re-reading countless times by young and old alike as it follows the crazy, doomed downward spiral that is the inevitable consequence of an economy of consumption. With each reading we hope for an alternative ending... there is always the last 'truffula seed' in this tale...Em C D
What about the insects and what about the bees?
Em C D
Just a moment please while I fall down on my knees
Em C D
Em C D
And have a little sneeze (aatishoo!) and hold my nose and wheeze (do just this)
Em D Em
Em D Em
And PUT AWAY THE BUG SPRAY PLEEEAAAZE! buzz buzz
Em C D
We need those insects and bees to farm
Em C D
Em C D
We need to hold back from doing them harm
Em C D
Em C D
The world is our web with place enough for all
Em C D
Protect and respect both the great and the small Em C D
Em D Em
And PUT AWAY THE BUG SPRAY PLEEEAAAZE! buzz buzz
{ optional extra line: Forget about the 5-G speed!!}
this referring to the controversial introduction of super-fast wifi
to the detriment of bee, bird and insect activity - a further subject..
{ optional extra line: Forget about the 5-G speed!!}
this referring to the controversial introduction of super-fast wifi
to the detriment of bee, bird and insect activity - a further subject..
This song has a refrain that you can play with endlessly between verses. It is something I learnt on an Orff Schulwerk music course from Sophia Lopez-Ibor who introduced this technique in another song. The principle is the same: it's about reading, reading animals left to right as we would words. We learn to read 4 in a row rhythmically, keeping the beat while fitting in words with different numbers of syllables.
Generally I repeat each set 4 times as this makes some musical sense (phrasing). You can then quickly switch and re-arrange the order for further fun. Then begin by removing one which becomes a silent space (called a rest in music). Then remove another... the play of syllables, sequences and rests are infinite, each one with its own rhythmic pattern. Sometimes it's useful to use a pointer, like a cursor, indicating each animal in turn, in time, as it's named.
Here are a few examples to get you going:
BUTTERFLY BEE CATERPILLAR SPIDER
X4
SPIDER CATERPILLAR BUTTERFLY BEE
X4
SPIDER BUTTERFLY BEE
X4
ETC. Play with it yourself by saying the words and sensing their natural rhythms before taking it to your classes. You can also have two different 'sentences' running together for two different groups. The overlay of rhythmic patterns from two groups is particularly mesmerizing.
A serious song about a sobering subject, but lots of fun to be had with the name patterns as well.
Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs-and -dances for children listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/my-animal-friends.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/08/plastic-bottle-eco-brick_22.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/hand-game_17.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/round-garden_48.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/05/tree-in-wood_16.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/building-up-house_16.html
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