After years of trying different formats for sing-alongs and Christmas assemblies, I'm trying out a half and half version.
My 4th graders will be on the risers, singing and performing 4 songs. This will be their special moment in the spotlight. Then, we will play the Reindeer, Christmas Tree, Candy Cane freeze game (see below for details!) and transition into a short sing-along, with words projected on the screen.
Here's my plan:
1. In the Spirit - this Music K8 song has a jazzy style that will make a great opening number and catch the kids' attention. We hold paper props for this song and use them to make our hand choreography pop. A third of the singers will hold large green triangles (trees), a third will hold yellow stars, and a third will hold red circles (ornaments).
For the main chorus, they bounce their props to the upper right, then upper left, then lower right, then lower left. The remainder of the song they wiggle the props up, down, to the left or right, etc. It's VERY simple.
2. After the opening number, I have a polka/rap version of Jingle Bells that the kids love. It starts off as a "serious" polka and then repeats in a rap style. When the rap music begins, I bring out 4-5 of my best dancers that will dance the "robot" while we sing and clap the beat.
3. Jingle Bell Rock seems to be a hit no matter where I'm teaching, so I bring it back every year. We do the hand jive for the A section, sway with a step-touch to the B section, pretend to play air guitar/saxophone for the bridge, and bring back the sway and hand jive as the music progresses.
I like to add a little silliness to each performance, so I have a bunch of inflatable guitars and saxophones - I have the front row step forward and pick up the inflatables for the bridge and they really get into it! (Get the 39" ones - not the little bitties!)
4. Hip Hop Reindeer is another song I've collected over the years from Music K8. It's a very repetitive (think: easy!) piece that the kids love and pick up on quickly.
The riser choreography is simple (clapping and pointing to the dancers in the front), and the dancers in the front get to make up their own moves.
One year, I invited the principal and several teachers to be 'hip hop reindeer' and surprise the kids - it was hilarious!
***Break***
In the middle of our assembly, I want to get the kids up and stretch. Some years I do the Jingle Bell Dance that I found here, but this year, we will play the Reindeer, Christmas Tree, Candy Cane freeze game - it's always a HUGE hit!5. Frosty the Snowman is a fun piece that the kids love but the words/story order tends to be tricky. I found an upbeat, more modern version here and project the words on the screen. While they are concentrating on the words, I bring out one kid in a snowman costume to give high-fives to the kids who are sitting in the audience. It makes this long (and sometimes tedious) song doable.
6. Feliz Navidad - the kids at every school I've taught at love this song for some reason (ha!), so I do it every year. I bring out "Mr. Feliz" and "Miss Feliz" dressed in costume with maracas to give high-fives to the kids while we sing. (Yes, repetitive, but the kids don't ever seem to mind!)
7. I have a great karaoke version of Rudolph that gives a few soloists a chance to shine - and then, you guessed it - I bring out one kid dressed as Rudolph to give high-fives as they walk around in the audience.
For riser choreography, every time we say "Rudolph" or "Reindeer" we do the reindeer pose, point to nose for "nose," point to eyes for "saw it," driving hands for "guide my sleigh" - very easy motions that act out the words.
8. 12 Days of Christmas - I learned this one from a dear choir director friend back in South Texas - and it's always a hit! I divide the singers & audience up into 12 groups (the first 4 or 6 groups assign to the performers on risers, so your kids can show the audience how it's done before they have to get up and move) and assign them each a day.
Everyone squats down and then we start to sing - on the first day only one group stands up and sings, "Partridge in a pear tree," the second day group 2 stands to sing, "2 turtle doves," and then squats back down while group 1 stands up to sing, "Partridge in a pear tree," etc.
By the time the audience has to stand up, they've seen 4 groups stand and know what to do. I assign some of my student leaders to each group to help them know exactly when it's their turn. It's a riot to do with parents - especially if they are good natured and do the hand motions with the kids.
This year I had so many kids sign up to be dress up characters, I decided we would dress up for the 12 days - I have 2 kids assigned to each day.
Here are the costume ideas that I used (but you can do whatever you like!):
1 - Partridge - pin a boa across their shoulders to resemble wings; they will hold a tiny tree ($3 at Target!) that I've glued little pears onto
2 - Turtle Doves - I googled ninja turtle DIT costumes and came up with painting roasting pans green, adding straps and a bandana; they'll also get a set of cardboard wings with feathers. (Ninja Turtle Doves! Bwahaha!)
4 - Calling Birds - toy cell phones and feather boas
6 - Geese-a-Laying - grey feather boas, easter basket with eggs
7 - Swans-a-Swimming - I googled DIY scuba costume and made air tanks from 2-liter bottles, borrowed some goggles and made cardboard flippers; add a feather boa and done!
8 - Maids - aprons
9 - Ladies Dancing - dressy dresses
10 - Lords-a-Leaping - crowns and king robes
11 - Pipers Piping - I made a DIY wrap skirt / kilt out of plaid fabric, add a beanie or beret and gave them each a recorder
12 - Drummers Drumming - Tie Dye Shirt, bandana on their head and a pair of drum sticks (I have fingerless leather gloves as well if you have those, it adds to the effect!)
The Game:
If you have an all-school sing-along or winter assembly coming up, you need to check out the newest addition to the Sweet Sounds store: Reindeer, Christmas Tree, Candy Cane - it's a freeze game for large groups.
Currently, I'm teaching every class how to play - then we will play a mega-round at the all-school sing-along right before we get out for break. The kids are so pumped - even the Kindergarteners have loved this!
Inside this resource pack, you get very specific, detailed directions for teaching this game. The idea is very simple, but it helps if you teach it ahead of time and practice so that the kids know the rules and aren't surprised.
I've included cards to print in case you don't have a screen or projector in your performance area. I have found that technology can be hit or miss when it comes to performances, so it's nice to have a backup plan in any case.
How to Play:
The game slides are projected on the screen - after we say the chant, students pick a pose and FREEZE! Then we click to the next slide to see who is out! It's that simple - but there are some helpful hints in the pack to keep the energy positive and upbeat. In this resource pack, I go through how to teach this game in your classroom step by step.After we learned the "easy" version and moved to the "harder" version of the game, I added drums. My 4th graders will be leading the all-school sing-along in a few weeks, so they will be the ones playing drums at the assembly. If you are a classroom teacher playing this game, drums are optional, just have the kids chant the words.
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