Al Haetz

This is a simple Israeli children's song about the singing of the birds in the trees.  A great K-1 level song for singing the "tzif, tzif, tzif" of the birds on so and mi.

Sources: Einstein, J. and Prensky, F. (1955) Songs of Childhood
Ben-Ezra M. (1958) Israeli Children's Songs Sound Recording New York Folkways Album 7226

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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