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. The Math ManiacJuly 29, 2013 at 10:40 AM

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

    Tara
    The Math Maniac

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    1. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:13 PM

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

      Delete
  2. Stephanie LiversJuly 29, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:14 PM

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

      Delete
  3. Andrea HJuly 29, 2013 at 1:12 PM

    "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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:15 PM

      Andrea, thank you. I appreciate another great tune.

      Delete
  4. Andrea HJuly 29, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    "We Go Together" from Grease!

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    1. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:15 PM

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

      Delete
  5. Mrs. ClancyJuly 29, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:16 PM

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

      Delete
  6. Mrs. WebbJuly 29, 2013 at 4:16 PM

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

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    1. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:17 PM

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

      Delete
  7. Mrs. WebbJuly 29, 2013 at 4:22 PM

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

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  8. LoriJuly 29, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:17 PM

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

      Delete
  9. JulieJuly 29, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:18 PM

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

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  10. Teaching Little MiraclesJuly 29, 2013 at 5:59 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:19 PM

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

      Delete
  11. Sara at schoolJuly 29, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:19 PM

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

      Delete
    2. Sara at schoolAugust 2, 2013 at 4:27 PM

      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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    3. TammyAugust 3, 2013 at 1:26 PM

      Thanks for more ideas!

      Delete
  12. Mary Chris RoweJuly 29, 2013 at 6:46 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:20 PM

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

      Delete
  13. BarbaraJuly 29, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:21 PM

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

      Delete
  14. susanluluJuly 30, 2013 at 10:17 AM

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

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    1. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:21 PM

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

      Delete
  15. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:22 PM

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

      Delete
  16. Vicki BergeronJuly 30, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    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. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:22 PM

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

      Delete
  17. Miss FooteJuly 30, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Best Day Ever...Spongebob Squarepants!

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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    1. TammyJuly 30, 2013 at 4:23 PM

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

      Delete
  18. yearn to learnJuly 30, 2013 at 5:30 PM

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

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

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    1. TammyAugust 1, 2013 at 9:46 AM

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

      Delete
  19. Maria EshmanJuly 30, 2013 at 6:30 PM

    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. TammyAugust 1, 2013 at 9:47 AM

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

      Delete
  20. UnknownAugust 1, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    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. TammyAugust 2, 2013 at 9:36 AM

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

      Delete
  21. ChelseaAugust 3, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    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. TammyAugust 4, 2013 at 3:11 PM

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

      Delete
  22. Laurie RobertsAugust 4, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    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. TammyAugust 4, 2013 at 3:21 PM

      Laur, thanks for reminding me about those two options.

      Delete