The Elementary School

Ukulele SongBook

Grace Jones

https://techinmusiced.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/photo-20160113223403051.jpg

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 Forward

This book contains Ukulele resources for beginners, chords for

songs that can be played in the classroom and a playlist of general
music for throughout the school day. The purpose of this book is to
provide a helpful resource with classroom appropriate content to
guide beginning players, enhance learning and create a fun
environment for students. The songs chosen vary in diculty to
reach all grade levels and progressively get more challenging. This
book is a work in progress.

Page 1..Cover Page

Page 2....Forward

Page 3..Ukulele Resources

Page 6...Five Classroom Songs

Page 13....Five Personal Songs

Page 19....Classroom Playlist

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 Ukulele Resources

Find some helpful and accessible tips/resources below to help

teach students how to play the ukulele and further their learning in
their own time.

Top Ten Tips for Beginners:

1. Get a decent ukulele

2. Learn how to hold your ukulele

3. Have fun!

4. Learn the basics

5. Decent strumming makes all the dierence

6. Use uku.Tabs.com to learn songs

7. Play as slowly as you can

8. Play along and listen/watch ukulele players

9. Record yourself playing and listen back to it

10. Do finger exercises

Find visual representations of the most used major and minor

chord patterns in the link below. These can be projected in the
classroom for students to view and learn.

Click here > https://ukuguides.com/tips/basic-ukulele-chords-

for-beginning-players/

Find the 99 most popular ukulele tabs of all time in the link below.
There are a number of websites of the like that are equally as good
as this one.

Click here > https://ukutabs.com/top-tabs/99-most-popular-

ukulele-songs/all-time/

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The important parts of a ukulele:

http://www.howtoukulele.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/parts-of-the-ukulele-01.jpg

How to hold a ukulele:

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The four chords:

ukulelego.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/4chords.png

Left hand finger names:

http://www.stringvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Finger-Notation.jpg

Ways to strum:

Thumb strumming Index finger strumming

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fc/03/cf/fc03c3877b62a841f0c7d8294378c7.jpg https://blog.udemy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/shutterstock_176627384.jpg

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 Five Classroom Songs

1. The Lion Sleeps Tonight from The Lion King

This is a very simple song, ideal for students have are beginners. I think its a
song that all students will likely know from a well known film. I think this is a
fun song that will motivate students to play the ukulele, because it is so
simple and they can instantly hear progress when they play it - they can hear
sound theyre themselves creating.

2. Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson

This is a classic Australian song that students can play on any of the
important occasions that signify Australia and our identity, that occur during
school terms. There are only three chords in the songs. Students can strum
along at whatever pace suits them.

3. Hallelujah by Je Buckley

This is a calming and deep song, that can be used when students should be
thankful. It may be used before or after doing something challenging or
impressive, to motivate and inspire students. I think this song is great for
setting a certain mood.

4. Im Yours by Jason Mraz

This is a fun song, most students will likely know. There are only four chords
in the song, which makes it super easy to pick up. Students can have fun
with the strumming patterns in the intro, verses and chorus.

5. Bad Day by Daniel Powter

This is a song that makes light of an unfortunate situation and although it is

sad, it still gives you a sense of hope. I think this could be a powerful song to
teach and play with students when theyre in dicult situations or when
school is tough.

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1. The Lion Sleeps Tonight from The Lion King

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=36AX554A3ew

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2. Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=CwvazMc5EfE

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3. Hallelujah by Je Buckley

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=rxUImfvzM08

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4. Im Yours by Jason Mraz

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1XUg_ZI0NUU

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5. Bad Day by Daniel Powter

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=RmNTAvnSais

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 Five Personal Songs

1. Country Road, Take me Home by John Denver

2. I Dont Know My Name by Grace VanderWaal

3. Riptide by Vance Joy

4. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

5. Bonfire Heart by James Blunt

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1. Country Road, Take me Home by John Denver

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

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2. I Dont Know My Name by Grace VanderWaal

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=XGlKvBtoWjI

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3. Riptide by Vance Joy

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=BdsdgL4_wuY

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4. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=XaKr98ktoxU

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5. Bonfire Heart by James Blunt

Hear this song on You

Tube at https://
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=uhTBHzMI2Y4

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Classroom Playlist

This music playlist has been created with appropriate songs to suit
all Elementary grades. This playlist is something that will grow and
change in time, because its important to try to use new release
songs (when lyrically appropriate) that students are familiar with.
Doing this will make the incorporation of music into the classroom
more eective. This playlist may not be utilised everyday, it may be
a reward that students get or you may have a routine set where you
play a welcome songs every morning for one week, then switch it
up the next week.

Welcome songs - Relaxation songs -

Sunshine, Matisyahu
Home, Gabrielle Aplin

Happy, Pharrell Williams

Someone Like You, Adele

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, Lilo Let it Go, James Bay

and Stitch
Butterfly Fly Away, Miley Cyrus

Were All in this Together, High Three Little Birds, Bob Marley and
School Musical
The Wailers

Try Everything, Shakira

Relaxing Disney piano collection
How Far Ill Go, Alessia Cara
(3hr) https://www.youtube.com/
Im a Believer, Shrek
watch?v=5DiMoehAeOU

Roar, Katy Perry

Transition songs - Inspiring songs -

Ive Been Everywhere, Johnny Cash
Ill Make a Man Out of You, Donny
Get Your Head in the Game, High Osmond

School Musical
Change the World, Eric Clapton

Hakuna Matata, The Lion King

Circle of Life, The Lion King
Cha Cha Slide
The Climb, Miley Cyrus

Cotton Eyed Joe

Lean on Me, Bill Withers

I Like to Move It, Madagascar

Let it Go, Frozen

Yakety Yak, The Coasters

Eye of the Tiger, Survivor

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Inspiring songs continued -
Imagine, John Lennon

Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles

Heal the World, Michael Jackson

Firework, Katy Perry

On Top of the World, Imagine Dragons

Dont Stop Believing, Journey

Bad Day, Daniel Poster

Brave, Sara Bareilles

The World is Yours, Julie Durden

You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban

My Wish, Rascal Flatts

Increase focus songs -

Intro, The xx https://www.youtube.com/watch?
time_continue=64&v=3gxNW2Ulpwk

Youth, Daughter

Explosions in the sky, First breath after coma https://www.youtube.com/

watch?time_continue=57&v=w0o8JCxjjpM

Relaxing Disney piano collection (3hr) https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=5DiMoehAeOU

Piano piece https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGMJ2b-3eCk

Hallelujah, Pentatonix

End of day songs -

Homeward Bound, Simon and Garfunkel

Back Pack Boogie, Dr Jean Feldman

Life is a Highway, Rascal Flatts

Who Let the Dogs Out, Baha men

Midnight City, M83

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