One of our subscribers, teacher Jo-Ann Trifiro of Millstone Twp. Elementary School, just told us how she used the GreenBookofSongs.com® database to focus her Fourth Grade students’ attention for a lesson on division with remainders.

Here’s what she said:

I wanted the kids to carefully examine each division number story to understand how to use (or not to use) the remainders. I started by making “spy glasses” out of tin foil; this got them motivated to zoom in, and when I added the “Theme To ‘Mission Impossible’”, it really got them moving as detectives!

That ran into some working songs as they circled around the room: “Across the Great Divide” [by The Band] and “Biggest Part of Me” [by Ambrosia].

Next, I just continued some fun music as they completed their carousel: “ABC” and “Enjoy Yourself” [by the Jacksons]. My Fourth Graders also love “Shakable You”, by Imagination Movers.  This song directs the kids to shake certain parts of their bodies, and it’s just long enough for them to loosen up and get some movement. 

Here are two more ideas for activity songs:

• “Shout”, by the Isley Brothers.  There’s a point in the song where the volume is dropped to a whisper, which offers a good way to ease into quiet time.
• “Peanut Butter Jelly Time”, by the Buckwheat Boys, is a silly song that’s great for letting energy loose!

Ms. Trifiro also suggested the following for class dismissal:

• “Who Let The Dogs Out”, by the Baha Men
• “Saved By The Bell”, the television theme song 

Here are some other songs to help illustrate division with remainders:

• “One”, by Three Dog Night. With its well-known line, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,” it’s a great match for problems with a remainder of one.
• “Sole Survivor”, by Asia, is another good choice for remainders of one.  
• “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, by Herman’s Hermits, helps illustrate eighths specifically, and fractions generally.
• “Two Divided By Love”, by the Grass Roots, has hooks that can help demonstrate the division process.

For more songs for teaching math and science, check out the GreenBookofSongs.com® category Science & Math. For activity songs, try our categories Carefree, Dance, Fun and Party.

Are you using songs to teach science or math? Please add your comments!