Monday, July 29, 2013

A Singing Contest (Giveaway)

For about 8 years now, I've so wanted to have a class theme song and just haven't been able to pull it off.  I pretty much only listen to contemporary Christian music and don't have a great idea of what's out there.  I hope to change that this year.  My vision is to have two songs ready before school starts.  Then after listening to both for a few weeks, I want the kids to vote on their favorite.  Here's where you come in.  I need some ideas.  This is what I'm looking for:

  • uplifting, encouraging, positive (great message)
  • catchy tune and catchy words
  • fairly easy to sing along with
  • popular and trendy
  • theme ideas - character, friendship, being together, family, being you, determination, etc. (ie. "Don't Stop Believin'"...you get the idea)


I'll even bribe you to leave me ideas.  I'm desperate.  If you leave me a song, I'll put your name in a drawing for one of these, but custom-made to fit your favorite color scheme.



I'll put your name in the drawing repeatedly for each song you leave, so feel free to give me several ideas.  Thanks for helping me out!  (I'll take ideas through Aug. 4th.)


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46 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great idea! Wish I was better in the song department myself!

    Tara
    The Math Maniac

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    1. Tara, I just wish I'd found a song years ago and hadn't waited this long. :)

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  2. My first graders love all the music from Have Fun Teaching but one of their favs is the friendship song!

    http://havefunteaching.com/songs/character-songs/friend-song

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    1. Stephanie, thank you so much for the idea! I'll take a listen.

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  3. "Up Kind of Day" by Alison Moulton. It's on the album of the same name, and I'm pretty sure it's on iTunes. If not, it's on Flylady.net.

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    1. Andrea, thank you. I appreciate another great tune.

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    1. Andrea, that one has a great message,huh? Thanks!

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  5. maybe the Philip Philip song HOME I am not sure all of the lyrics... the big rock candy mountain (Red Grammar has a great version) it's not a radio song but the lyrics are great..I will keep thinking. melissa

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    1. Melissa, how appropriate that my classroom would be home. Thanks for the ideas. let me know if you come up with more.

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  6. "We Are Family" or "Happy Face" by Destinys Child. Love the idea of a theme song!

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    1. Mrs. Webb, thank you! I love the idea too. Thanks for adding to my collection.

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  7. Oh thought of two more....The Climb by Miley Cyrus or Lean on Me by Rockapella.

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  8. I am not much help in this department! But it is a really cute idea to have a theme song. :)
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Thanks Lori. I'm glad I finally found a way to get myself a song.

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  9. This one isn't on the radio...but it has Will. I. Am and Sesame Street!! I have used this with my second and third graders and they loved it- I plan to use it with my kinders this year too :)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyVzjoj96vs

    Hope you find a good song!
    Julie
    Light A Fire in Third

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    1. Julie, I heard that last spring. It's a good one for sure.

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  10. Love that sign, Tammy! Too bad I'm not much in the song department either. We stick to southern gospel around here - just CDs. Funny story, my 13 year old son recently took a road trip with someone who listens to country on the radio. According to my son..."It was so annoying because they think they can sing and they can't. And apparently, they don't have very many songs because they just played the same thing over and over." Ha! I love that kid! Hope his heart stays so tender to the Lord.

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, sounds very similar to my thoughts on country music! Ha! :)

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  11. Oh, man, I was going to give you the Will I Am Sesame Street song also. There's the official version on YouTube and there's also a version with lyrics.
    Last year, at the first if the year, we also sang Crazy Backwards Day by Sephen Fite. I got it as a freebie from this site: http://melodyhousemusic.com/artists
    He seems to have one freebie for each album. The kids really enjoyed this song, but it's mostly just a fun song.
    I'm looking forward to seeing what songs ideas you get. Sara

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    1. Sara, I really do like the Will I Am song. Even though it's been already mentioned, your vote counts!

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    2. Oh, I was on a long drive yesterday and heard Zippadaydoodah - by Ali and AJ. It was very catchy.
      I had wanted to do Good Morning by Mandisa, but I'm not sure I could make it work.
      Sara

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  12. My class and I like to sing "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. I tell them THEY are MY "favorite things" and it is usually a sweet way to end the day together.

    Good luck, Tammy! I hope you find the perfect song.
    Mary Chris

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    1. Mary Chris, that's very sweet that your kids think of themselves as your favorite things. Thank you for the suggestion.

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  13. Up up up by Rose Falcon ... it's the BEST! Uplifting lyrics, upbeat tempo ... lemons into lemonade theme ... AmAzInG!

    Here's a link to my playlist if you want more ... most don't have lyrics and are just dance tunes: http://www.fisdk12.net/wb/faculty/pdf/Music4Movement.pdf

    I call them FUN tunes. Happy dancing!

    Barbara

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    1. Barbara, I just listened to your song. It's a great uplifting song! Thanks for sending it my way.

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  14. The World is a Rainbow - filled with many colors.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Susan, thank you. Your song choice is a great one too.

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  15. What a great idea! "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang or "We're All in This Together" from High School Musical - my 7 year old (son) loves that song/movie. Best of luck! Colleen

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    1. Colleen, both are great choices and so very catchy too! Thanks.

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  16. My K-2 community loves the music of Stuart Stotts and Tom Pease, especially from the album, Everybody Started Out Small. Our theme song is #11-Put Your Hand In Mine.
    I think you will love t!

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    1. Vicki, thank you so much for leaving your suggestion with me. So many great songs to choose from!

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  17. Best Day Ever...Spongebob Squarepants!

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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    1. Laurie, I'm sure my kids would be lovin' Spongebob. Thanks!

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  18. My 1st graders LOVE this song "Gotta Keep Reading".

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpNfhpqDk4

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    1. Yearn to Learn, that's a great song. I'm sure my kids would love it.

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  19. What a great idea!!! :) All that comes to my mind is probably not a song that any first grader would recognize. We used this one when I played volleyball like a million years ago. :) It's Kenny Rogers "When You Put Your Heart In It" I LOVE THIS ONE. such a GREAT message and who knows... they may love it. :)

    Good luck!!!! Can't wait to hear which song they choose. :)
    Maria

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    1. Maria, thank you so much for adding your song to my list. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

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  20. We are family is really a great one....it especially goes with your theme of having a living room and a family atmosphere in your classroom.

    It's a great moving song too...You just change it from I've got all my sisters with me to I've got all my ____ with me.

    Good luck neighbor!
    Miss you

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    1. Marie, that is a great one. Thanks for adding to my collection!

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  21. Hi Tammy,

    At the end of this year I put together a class slideshow and included the following songs...

    Shooting Star - Owl City (my personal fav)
    Better Together - Jack Johnson
    We Are Family - Sister Sledge
    This is Home - Switchfoot
    Good Time - Owl City
    My Wish - Rascal Flatts
    I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
    Breaking Free - High School Musical

    I hope that these help you on your search! Good luck! :-)

    Chelsea

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    1. Chelsea, I feel like I've found the motherload. Wow. Thanks for all these songs!

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  22. First, I feel silly for not reading your blog for a several weeks. Have you stopped putting it on FB? I know I shouldn't need that reminder, but alas, I do.

    I think maybe we've talked about the theme song idea before, and Seasons of Love from the musical Rent may have been part of our conversation.

    Also this late 90s song "You Gotta Be" has potential:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oZXJD1NVW0

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    1. Laur, thanks for reminding me about those two options.

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