Hear Those Jingle Bells

This simple Christmas song gives kids a chance to learn about musical dynamics. Music can be fast or slow, loud or soft, and they will explore these option in this song. For older kids, use the real words: andante, allegro, forte, piano. Give them each a jingle bell and let them move around while they sing. You'll need to call out the next dynamic before you start singing each verse, because the only words that change from verse to verse is the 2nd line. Here are the words:

Hear those jingle, jingle, jangle
Hear those jingle bells.
Ringing loudly, Ringing loudly, (change to ringing softly, quickly, slowly)
Hear those jingle bells!

Here's the piano audio file (let me know if you need a vocal audio file):

Jingle Bells

This song comes alive by the addition of a simple musical instrument: a bell! Use the little bells you hang as ornaments, or any type of bell you can find and equip each child. The bells on the wristband are what we use at the library. After singing the first verse traditionally, you can start teaching musical concepts by having them shake quickly, slowly, loudly, softly, etc. If they are older, teach them the musical terms for each concept (quickly: allegretto; slowly: andante; loudly: forte; softly: piano). You can do this using the traditional verse, or teach them the additional verse I wrote. Here are the lyrics:

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to play my jingle bells today!
Shake them fast, shake them slow, shake them loud and clear.
Oh what fun it is to play when Christmas time is near!