Teach a Song Lesson Mariah Sands

Oats and Beans and Barley Grow 22 February 2017

Even though this is a singing game, I have decided not to focus on the game right away,
but teach the children the music first. The grades I would teach this to are second and third
grade. The music provided is in the key of D, which is appropriate for children. If I were to
change the starting pitch, I would only move it up a maximum of two whole steps, or down one
whole step from the F#4 due to the range of the childrens voices.

(rough) 5Es lesson plan

Engage:
- All sit in a circle.
- Has anyone here planted a seed and grown their own plants by themselves or with their
family?
Explore:
- Did you know that farmers plant seeds every year, and these seed become our food?
What types of food do you think they grow? (or How do you think they grow them?)

Verse 1
Explain:
- Today we are going to learn how a farmer makes oats, beans, and barely grow!
- Sing the entire first verse.
Elaborate:
- Teach the first verse by asking the students to echo what I sing.
- First teach two measures at a time, then four, and finally, sing the entire first verse.
- Students then stand, take hands, and sing with the teacher while stepping to the beat in
a circle, to the right.
Evaluate:
- Students sing the song through while stepping and the teacher is silent.

Verse 2
Explain:
- Now I need some help figuring out what the farmer does to make the food grow. Can
you listen carefully to the next verse and see if you can hear what the farmer does?
- Sing the verse with gestures.
- Take students answers to the question. (guided listening)
Elaborate:
- Teach the verse through echoing.
- First two measures, then four, then the whole verse.
- Sing the entire second verse with gestures.
Evaluate:
- Students will sing the first and second verse with movements while the teacher is silent.
Teach a Song Lesson Mariah Sands
Oats and Beans and Barley Grow 22 February 2017
Next lesson:
- Students will review the first and second verse with actions.
- Students will learn the third and fourth verse and play the game with minimal teacher
prompting.

The song is available on You Tube at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4iQNpGP04

The song was found on Holy Names University, Kodly Center, The American Folk Song
Collection. The PDF that accompanies this lesson plan includes background information and
game instructions.