Sail Away

A nice piece with a large range.  Two accessible descants for upper elementary.

Sources: Locke, E.Sail Away
Brumfield, Susan.

Allo, Monsieur

This is a French-language chant to accompany a ball-bouncing game.

Source: Recording of “Allo, Monsieur:  Le Jeu de la Balle” (The Game of the Ball) from Smithsonian Folkways recording, “Children's Game Songs of French Canada." #110                                                                   

Arirang

This haunting Korean folk tune has been sung for over six hundred years.  Dr. Campbell suggests pairing it with a traditional changgo drum pattern.

Source: Campbell, Patricia Shehan. Tunes and Grooves for Music Education. p. 25

Bumba

I learned this drumming pattern from Haiti, and really enjoyed the sound of it in an ensemble.
Source: John Avinger

Bee, Bee

I use this chant as a counting-out game with young children until they have learned it well.  Then, I use bee icons to teach the concept of one and two sounds to a beat (Ta ti ti).
Source: SPU Summer Kodály Institute, Level 1 Notes.

Zudio

An African-American Play Party for two lines of partners. Download dance steps or alternate improvisational dance.

Sources: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax Step It Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Tradition. pp. 137-138
Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy. p. 410

Ye Toop Doram

Farsi Ball Game from Iran and West Afghanistan
Source: Brown, Nyssa.  January 2010 Northwest Kodály Educators Workshop Notes.
Transcribed from Joan Litman

Yankee Doodle

An English song that became a popular square dance in America.
Sources:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p.409
Additional Lyrics from Pioneer Girl, Fact and Fiction of Laura Ingalls Wilder, A to Z

Witch, Witch

A tag game that's great for Halloween
Source: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 1

Who's That Tapping at the Window?

A guessing-game song that's great for vocal or instrumental improvisation.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 7

We Are Dancing in the Forest (Wolf Game)

This game is very popular with my students and can either be a chase or freeze game.
Source:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 402

Wallflowers

This circle game from the British Isles has Irish and Scottish variations and seems to refer to a deadly measles outbreak, of which there were many recorded in the 1700s and 1800s.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 16
Information about measles outbreaks from the Keighley and District Family History Society website which cites statistics from the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies.

Vamos A Jugar

This is a fun Spanish-language playground game collected from San Antonio, Texas.
Source: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 2 Materials

Up, Down

This game is great for the primary grades, especially at Halloween.
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties. Folk Music Works. 1996. pp. 50-51

Uncle Jessie

This song from the Georgia Sea Islands can be used with all ages with either movement exploration or a partner ring play.
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step It Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. pp. 112-114

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Source: Ed. by Kerby, E. C. Folk Songs North America Sings p. 165

Tommy Tinker

I remember singing this song when I went to outdoor camp and acting out the part where Tommy sits on a red-hot clinker (a hot coal)!  It makes for a rousing round when four groups are standing with alarm and crying, "Ma! Ma!"
Sources: Zanzig, Augustus D.  101 Rounds for Singing. Published by World Around Songs Inc. p.19
Stephanie Trinneer from song sung in childhood.

Ti Ya Ya

This circle folk dance from the Ukraine is in 3/4 and requires some balance as dancers sway side to side, forward, and back while holding hands basket-weave style behind their backs.
Source: Ed. by Davis, Andy and Amidon, Peter and Mary Alice.  Down in the Valley pp. 40-41

Tideo

This rousing Texas play-party song can be played as a hand-clapping game with double circle of partners or a partner-swinging dance and is great for teaching sixteenth notes.
Sources:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 393
Owens, William. Texas Folk Songs p. 160

Thorn Rosa (There Was a Lovely Princess)

This song, which tells the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty, has many opportunities for dramatic play and sound effects, and can expand to include any number of students as well as unending variations in the story.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games from England

There Came A Girl From France

This Scottish children's game is perfect for students to create and sing about ways to move.  I like to sing it as a cumulative song, where we sing and move to each verse that preceded the new verse.  It's a great workout for the body and mind!
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from Scotland

Teddy Bear

This song can be sung as an action or bean bag song with young children and is a great challenge to sing as a rope-turning game.
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties. Folk Music Works. 1996. pp. 46-47

Sweet Potatoes

This Creole folk song from the Louisiana Bayou makes for a beautiful partner song when paired with Mango Walk.
Sources: Seeger, Pete.  Fireside Book of Fun and Game Songs.
Silver-Burdett Music Text

Suo Gan

This beautiful Welsh lullaby has only three notes but offers many possible verses and potential arrangements.
Source: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1 Materials

Starlight, Star Bright

This is a simple three-note song from England that is beautiful when sung or played and lends itself easily to vocal improvisation with a coda, "I wish for..."
Source: Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy.  p. 387

Slahal

This is a traditional bone game from the Salish tribe in British Columbia, Canada.  
Sources: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 3
Stuart, Wendy B. The Canadian Journal for Traditional Music  Coast Salish Gambling Music
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture Website

Snail, Snail

This is an English children's game in which a leader slowly leads a line into and out of a spiral shape. 
Source: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 4

Skin and Bones

My students love to sing this at Halloween and act out the part of the old woman, the bones, and the BOO!
Source: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 52
As sung by Jean Ritchie of Viper, Kentucky

Skating Away

This 6/8-meter song is great for practicing the right hand star and elbow swing square dance moves.
Sources: Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy. p. 384.
Kraus, Richard.  Square Dances of Today. p. 87

Simama Kaa

Kedmon Mapana says this song in the Swahili language is taught in schools in Tanzania.  It teaches the words simama (stand), kaa (sit), and ruka (jump).
Source: Mapana, Kedmon.  March 2012 Northwest Kodaly Educator Workshop Notes

Shalom Chaverim

This Hebrew-language round is a lovely minor tune, and works well as a farewell song.
Source: Zanzig, Augustus D.  101 Rounds for Singing. Published by World Around Songs, Inc. p. 42

See Saw

This two-note song is perfect for teaching the concept of high and low, as well as so and mi.
Source: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1 Materials

Sea Shell

This song could be used to imbed science concepts if performed as a rondo with sung, chanted, played, or spoken sections in-between about marine life.
Source: Zyzga, Helen.  Simple Gifts. p. 16

Rosy, Apple, Lemon, and a Pear

This English folk song about a wedding has various ways for a "bride" or "bridal couple" to move in and out of the circle, often through arches created by the players.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from England

Round and Round

My first and second grade students who love to walk in a crouch go crazy for this song that commands, "Down (Mr. or Miss) (So and So), you must go."
Source: Ed. by Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 14

Rocky Mountain

This song seems to call out for students to create new verses describing places they are learning about.  It also can be sung with a partner hand-clapping game.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 19

Ring Around the Rosie

I like to sing this song with young children as a parachute game.  They seem to "fall down" more carefully when they are holding the edge.  
Source: Feierabend, John.  The Book of Beginning Circle Games. p. 65
Wikipedia cites reasons for discounting the traditional connection of the song with the black plague.  I like the idea that the "fall down" portion was done as a curtsy.  This could be a good song for older children to practice a bow and curtsy.

Punchinella

A song that gets kids very active with endless possibilities for movement improvisation.
Sources: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1 Addendum
See also: Punchinello as written by Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax. Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. p. 104-106

Pumpkin, Pumpkin

I sing this song with primary students in October.  They enjoy making different kinds of faces as they turn themselves into jack-o-lanterns.
Source:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 378

Plainsies Clapsies

This simple three-note English ball-bouncing song gets complicated and fun when you try to sing it while doing all the tricks.
Sources: Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy. p. 374
Chosky, Lois.  The Kodaly Method.  Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 1988. page 170.

Pizza Pizza

Upper elementary students giggle and cringe when they have to choose who their "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" is when they play this very active game, but still request it frequently.  I sometimes only ask them to name a favorite pizza topping.  This way is less controversial, but not as hilarious.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 6
See Also: Pizza, Pizza Mighty Moe as written by Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. p. 63

Phoebe

I love this song paired with a partner song composed by Denise Bacon.  The soaring octave jump in the partner song would be great for those vocalists who love to sing high and show off a beautiful voice.  It would also sound great played on instruments.
Source: Bacon, Denise.  46 Two-Part American Folk Songs

Paw Paw Patch, The

I enjoy turning this into an October movement improvisation song for young children by replacing "Paw Paw" with "Pumpkin." It's also a great Appalachian double line dance where students can learn to cast off, or, as I like to call it, "peel the banana."
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 102

Old Dan Tucker (Variation)

I like to teach my students lots of versions of this song so they can see how it changes over time and place.  These verses are a lot of fun to sing, too.
Sources: Garson, Eugenia.  The Laura Ingalls Wilder Songbook p. 66
Words and Music Composed by Daniel Decatur Emmett
Additional Information at the website Pioneer Girl, fact and fiction of Laura Ingalls Wilder, A to Z

Old Dan Tucker

When I teach a unit about songs, games, and dances of the pioneers, this song gets the most requests.  It's funny and the dance can be complicated, or as simple as one dancer improvising in the middle of a circle of singers.
Sources: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 359
Lomax, John and Alan.  American Ballads and Folk Songs p. 258
Youtube has a great video of Fox and Branch playing their version of the song.

Old Mister Rabbit

This song could be used for vocal improvisation in thinking up other foods that Old Mister Rabbit could eat.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 11

Old Brass Wagon

This song is great for teaching beginning square dance skills and can be done easily in a large circle.
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull pp. 34-35

Ode To Joy

This tune is familiar to most of my students, who are excited to learn how to play it.  It is is a good song for presenting the dotted quarter and eighth note combination.
Melody is excerpted from Ludwid V. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

North Winds Blow

This is a translation of a Hungarian folk melody used by Zoltan Kodaly.  It has a beautiful minor tonality that fits with the melancholy feel of our Pacific Northwest winters.
Source: Silver-Burdett Music Text
Translated by Ivy Rawlins

Naughty Kitty Cat

This is the English-language version of a Hungarian folk song.  It's very funny to hear all the ways students can meow as the naughty cat in the song.  Great with a cat puppet or stuffed animal!
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull pp. 30-31

My Paddle

This song sounds lovely when it's paired with a partner song, as Denise Bacon does, or sung in a round.  It's also great for presenting the syncopated eighth-quarter-eighth (or "syncopa") rhythm.
Source: Bacon, Denise.  46 Two-Part American Songs

Miss White

I had so much fun making ghost icons for this song, and look forward to using them to teach quarter note and paired eighth note (Ta and ti ti) rhythms with my young students each October. 
Source: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1

Mary Wore Her Red Dress

There is a great book by Merle Peek that goes with this song.  It's also a fun one to sing at Halloween time, when children can sing about the costume they wore, or would wish to wear.
Source: R. C. Seeger.  American Folk Songs for Children

Mango Walk

Mango Walk is a Jamaican Calypso tune that can be sung as a partner song with Sweet Potatoes.
Source: Silver-Burdett Music Text

Lucy Locket

This three-pitch English nursery rhyme song is excellent for preparing and presenting la.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 5

Love Somebody

I use this song in February as a beat-passing game with a heart-shaped bean bag.  It's great for the practice of four sounds to a beat ("ticka ticka").
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 350

Long-Legged Sailor

My students especially like to sing this song either as a chance to act out all the types of legs the sailors have or as a partner hand-clapping game.
Source: Ed. by Bacon, Denise; Erdei, Ida; and Knowles, Faith.  My Singing Bird: 150 Folk Songs

Little Sally Walker (Variation)

My upper-elementary students frequently request this engaging movement improvisation game.
Source: Brown, Nyssa.  January 2010 Northwest Kodály Educators Workshop Notes
collected by Roemer, Kristen. Indiana University

Little Sally Walker

This English children's song is great for prepping and presenting the quarter rest, as well as practicing la.
Source: Feierabend, John.  Beginning Circle Games p. 11

Little Johnny Brown

Use a handkerchief or scarf for one or all the players in this game.  The first half of the song can be used to practice the half note as well as low la
Source: Ed. by Locke, Eleanor.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 154

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Most children know this song from South Africa, performed by musicians such as the Weavers, The Tokens, and the Kingston Trio, from Disney's The Lion King and perform the melody and rhythms easily.  It can be sung simply, or, with the addition of xylophones, recorder, percussion instruments, and dancers can become a show-stopping performance event.
Source: Parker, Lisa Ann.  1993 Evergreen Orff Chapter Workshop Notes
Additional information is available on Wikipedia.

Let Us Chase the Squirrel

Students will willingly sing this song from North Carolina over and over again to get to play the game.  When they know it well, it is especially good for the practice of re.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 6

Laugh, Ha, Ha

A delightful four-part round.  I like to use it for an April Fools Day rondo with students supplying knock-knock jokes in between each repeat of the song.
Source: Zanzig, Augustus D.  101 Rounds For Singing Pub. by World Around Songs Inc. p. 17

Kye Kye Kule

I was inspired by Kedmon Mapana to use this song as an improvised call-and-response movement game.  The leader calls various parts of the song, and the group must respond by echoing whatever type of voice and movements he or she uses.
Sources: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1
Mapana, Kedmon.  Northwest Kodály Educators March 2012 Workshop: Songs and Games of the Wagogo Children of Tanzania

Just From the Kitchen

Students can add vocal improvisation to this song by singing other foods they might like to eat.
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage pp. 51-52

Johnny's Flea

When my students play this chase game in the classroom, we only give "Johnny" a count of 3 to catch the "flea."
Source:  SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level II

Johnny Get Your Hair Cut

This song is good for practicing four sound to a beat when sung as-is, or for vocal or movement improvisation if singers get to make up actions for other players to do.
Source: Seeger, R. C. American Folk Songs For Children

Ida Red, Ida Blue

Young children enjoy singing this song, especially if you provide visuals of the different colors Ida might wear.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 20

Hunt the Slipper

I like to have students play this three-note Jamaican folk song on the recorder.  It's also fun when played as a game.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 5
Game From Child, Maria.  Girl's Own Book, pub. 1834
Online Quilter Website http://www.onlinequilter.com/MommyMe/19thCenturyChildrensGames/tabid/275/Default.aspx

Hunt the Cows

This is an active movement game, and is also great for practicing the interval of so to do.
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 335

How Many Miles to Babylon?

This call-and-response song has two lines of players singing back and forth to each other, and is good for practicing ti ticka.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 7

Hot Peas and Barley-O

This is a rousing circle dance in 6/8.  I especially like the simulated kilt flip at the end!
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from Scotland

Hot Cross Buns

This well-known English street vendor song is perfect for preparing and presenting re, and a great beginning recorder song.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 1

Hi! Ho! The Rattlin' Bog

It's fun to see how fast students can tear through this cumulative Irish song.  Visuals will help you keep track of where you are in the song as it grows longer and longer.
Sources: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 331
Langstaff, John.  Hi! Ho! The Rattlin' Bog and other Songs for Group Singing

Here Comes Mrs. Macaroni

In this game, a leader calls to a friend, then all the players sing the beginning letter of the friend's name while the pair link arms and skip around.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games From England p.37

Grizzly Bear

This is a good song for teaching forte and piano.
Source: Macmillan Teaching Series

Great Big House in New Orleans

I like to introduce this song as a vocal improvisation and have students sing other foods the rooms could be filled with.  I use it to teach the concept of 2/4 meter and rest, and older students can learn the longer version with the dance.
Sources: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 17
Seeger, Pete.  American Play Parties Folkways Records #FC7604

Grandma Grunts

I like to use this song to teach high d on the recorder.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 7

Frog in the Meadow

Though there is a classroom game described in Sail Away, it can also be played as a leap-frog game.
Sources: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 7
Brown, Frank C.  Collection of North Carolina Folklore, Vol. V  p. 535

Engine, Engine

There are many versions of this song.  I like to use the first one to prepare and present one and two sounds to a beat (Ta and ti ti) with train icons.  The second one is a counting-out game I played with my friends as a child.
Source:  SPU Kodaly Summer Institute Materials, Level 1

Dusty Bluebells

This English game is played with one child going in and out of a circle of players holding their hands up to form arches.
Source: SPU Summer Kodaly Institute Level II Materials Packet

Draw Me A Bucket of Water

Though this is a fun and challenging cooperative game to play with older children, I also like to sing this as a parachute game with younger students.  When four students have gone under, they get to hop like frogs "in the bucket."
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage pp. 78 - 80

Down in the Valley, Two by Two

Though this game can be played by two players inside a circle, it also may be played with numerous pairs in scatter formation.
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 314

Down Came A Lady

I especially like to sing this song in October and have students sing about and move like all the creepy creatures that they can think of.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 17

Doggie, Doggie

Although I teach this song to my kindergartners, even the second graders will ask for this game.  It is good for practicing la.
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 312

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Ms. Brumfield describes this as a game played enthusiastically by the older boys at New Beacon school in Sevenoaks, England.  If played with older students, it is good for preparing and presenting the dotted eighth paired with a sixteenth note rhythm.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games from England

Ding Dong Diggidiggi Dong

While students are learning this song, I ask for individuals to think of different animals who could go missing.  When it is well-learned, I use it for preparing and presenting four sounds to a beat.
Source: Orff, Carl and Keetman, Gunild.  Music For Children: Pentatonic Book 1

Dinah

When students are learning this song, I have them sing their names in place of "Dinah."  Once it is well-known, it is great for preparing and presenting four sounds to a beat.
Source: Ed. by Bacon, Denise; Erdei, Ida; and Knowles, Faith.  My Singing Bird: 150 Folk Songs

Dic-Dictation

This Scottish counting-out chant is great for preparing and presenting ti ticka.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from Scotland

Day is Done

This four-part round is beautiful to sing or play.
Source: Froseth, James.  Do it!  Play Recorder! p. 15

Cibula

In this Chigogo-language jumping game from Tanzania, Africa, the leader tries to get players out by tricking them.
Source: Mapana, Kedmon.  Northwest Kodály Educators March 2012 Workshop: Songs and Games of the Wagogo Children of Tanzania

Chicken in the Fence Post (Dance Josey)

Children can either sing this song as a vocal improvisation with new reasons why they can't dance or as a circle game in which two players try to be the first to "rescue" a chicken or other animal trapped in the fence.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p.51

Charlie Over the Ocean

When young students are learning this game, I have them hold an animal bean bag to sing about when they sing, "I caught a..."  Older students can also play this as an active chase game.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 14

The Car Song

Kids like to see how fast they can sing this action song.  It's also good for practicing ti ticka in the first eight measures.
Source: Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy pp. 301-302

Bye Lo

This lullaby works well as a two-note beginning xylophone or recorder piece.
Source: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute Notes

Bye Bye Baby

Denise Bacon has written a lovely partner song to perform with this Appalachian lullaby.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 6
Two-Part Version: Bacon, Denise.  46 Two-Part American Songs

Buon Giorno

This is a three-part Italian round that is a good morning song.  
Source: Zanzig, Augustus.  101 Rounds for Singing, published by World Around Songs, Inc. p.7

Bow Wow Wow

I like to teach this song as a partner hand-clapping game.  It can become a mixer when partners switch places and jump to face a new partner on the rest.  It is good for preparing and presenting re.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 18

Bought Me A Cat

This is a great song to add visuals for each animal, and is also fun to sing as an action song.  Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 8

Bounce

Young students love playing this ball-bouncing game, and it is also perfect for preparing and presenting la.
Source: Ed. Locke, Elanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 4

Bobby Bingo

I played this English game with my second graders.  Though we learned it in a large circle, once it was mastered, the students enjoyed moving much faster when skipping in circles of five or six.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games From England p. 32

 

Bluebird

I play this game with young children in the spring.  
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p.18

Bluebells, Cockleshells

This is a good song to pair with early jump-rope skills if you have a big enough space to turn the rope so the player can run under it.  It's also good for preparing and presenting low so.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games From England

Black Snake

Students of all ages enjoy playing this as a "cut the cake" game, and the leaders like to decide what kind and color of biting animal they would like to be.  A good song for preparing and presenting the eighth-quarter-eighth rhythm (or "syncopa").  Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull p.2

Are You Sleeping? (Frère Jacques)

This four-part round can be sung in either English or French and is good for practicing fa.

Source: Zanzig, Augustus.  101 Rounds for Singing, published by World Around Songs, Inc. p. 40

America

America, Page 2

America, Page 1

Though this tune originated in England, it is a classic and beloved song about America.  It can be used to prepare and present the dotted quarter paired with eighth note rhythm.

Source:

• Library of Congress, History of the Song America

Alabama Gal

This is a fun, though challenging double-line dance to do with older students.  It's also great for preparing and presenting the eighth-quarter-eighth (or "syncopa") rhythm.
Sources:  Seeger, Pete. American Play Parties, Folkway Records #87604. 1959
McDowell, LL. Handy Play Party Book, copyright 1938.