Three States of Matter

This is the first integrated lesson I developed. I taught it with a wonderful third grade teacher at Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville, Missouri as part of a rotating science unit. It is a simple adaptation of one of my favorite singing games, What Shall We Do with A Drunken Sailor. The first time I played this game was in Sister Kenney's elementary music methods course at BYU; we visited a fifth grade class and played it with the fifth graders. I've taught it for many years and kids really enjoy it. Here's my class at Northwest Missouri State playing it:

Overview
Students will complete a states of matter "quiz" within the context of a popular singing game.

Materials
Space for movement

Standards
Music (singing, movement, create rhythmic accompaniments)
Science (states of matter)

Process

• Learn the singing game on previous days
• Play the game with new lyrics:

We all know three states of matter.

We all know three states of matter.

We all  know three states of matter,

Solid, liquid, gas.

• Replace the final portion of the verse (twirling under, often called "wringing the dishrag") with clapping the rhythm of "solid, liquid, gas". 
• Develop new ways (besides clapping) to show the rhythm of "solid, liquid, gas". 
• Develop new ways (besides sashaying back and forth) to do the dance.
• Perform the dance with the new lyrics and new dance moves.
• Let partnerships share how they did the dance.
• Perform the quiz to the same tune in echo and answer fashion as follows:

Teacher: Water is matter. Students: Water is liquid.

Teacher: Water is matter. Students: Water is liquid.

Teacher: Water is matter. Students: Water is liquid.

All: Solid, liquid, gas

• Alternate verse and chorus. Change partners. Combine partners and develop round dances. Fill in the gaps with additional items. Let students (individually or in groups) present quiz items. Make sure the quiz and the answers follow the tune. Eventually include three quiz items in a single verse (rather than repeating the same one three times). 

Shortnin' Bread (for 6-hole ocarina)

Shortnin' Bread (for 6-hole ocarina)

I'm a Little Teapot (for 6-hole ocarina)

I'm a Little Teapot (for 6-hole ocarina)

Row Row Row Your Boat (for 6-hole ocarina)

Row Row Row Your Boat (for 6-hole ocarina)

Rocket Cruiser (for 6-hole ocarina)

Rocket Cruiser (for 6-hole ocarina)

I first encountered this tune in the Do It! band method by James Froseth. For any beginning band directors "out there", I highly recommend the Do It! method. It has, by far, the best and most authentic accompaniment tracks and the most sound pedagogy of any band methods I have seen. The lyrics are: "Wish I had a rocket cruiser and a base on Mars. I could fly away to distant stars." It is listed as a traditional American folk song.