Basic Book Information
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Copyright: 1955
ISBN: 0-15-230214-X
Series:
Langstaff, John, author
Rojankobsky, Feodor, illustrator
Book Type: Single Song Title
Reading Levels
Grade Level Equivalent:
Lexile Measure:
DRA Level:
Guided Reading Level:
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Book Subject: (Key Words): frogs, animals, courting, ballads, tales, personification
Book Description: This book is an illustrated retelling of one version of the folk song "Frog Went a Courtin'". In this version, Frog and Mouse wish to marrYES. This story tells of their wedding plans which are ultimately ruined by a hungry cat.
Book Illustrations: The illustrations are well placed to illustrate the text and easy to see and understand.
Read Aloud Adjustments: This book is well suited for a read along. However, the book is a little bit long. It might be possible to skip a few pages if time is an issue without taking away from the read along experience.
Book Description – Single Song Title – Folk Songs
Song Type: Folk Song
Song Title: Frog Went A-Courtin'
Source 1: 150 American Folk Songs to sing read and play
Source 2: Heritage Songster
Source 3: Folk Songs North America Sings: A source book for all teachers
Comparison of book and folk song: There are many different versions of this song. Each version is different from the one in the text either in terms of melody or rhythm or text. The English version found in the Heritage Songster is the closest to the one found in this text.
Book Description - Notation Description
Notation: YES
Description: Simple, easy to read and sing.
Range: M13
Tonality: G major
Form: AB
Meter: Simple Quadruple
Instructional Resources
related to American folk songs, related to music concepts for kinder, folktales, oral tradition
Resource 1:
Calogero, J. (2002). Integrating music and children's literature. Music Education Journal, 23-30. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3399822
Resource 2:
Houlahan, M., & Tacka, P. (2015). Kodály in the kindergarten classroom: Developing the creative brain in the 21st century (Kindle Edition ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pedagogical Suggestions
Kodaly Lesson Ideas
Song Acquisition: YES
Aural Skills: YES
Music Reading:
Music Writing:
Singing Games: YES
Singing Skills:
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Idea: During the first reading of the book, the teacher can ask the students to echo the (hmm-hmm,) sol-mi section of the book as the students listen to the story.
Grade Level: 2nd grade - 3rd grade
IDEA: Children familiar with the song can create a hand game using solfege syllables sol and do. On the repetition of sol-do students touch hands down low for low sol and then move hands in an upward motion for do. For each repetition, switch hands. Other pitches can be added to make the play of the game more interesting.
Orff-Schulwerk Lesson Ideas
Speech as Rhythm:
Ostinato:
Creative Movement: YES
Improvisation:
Instrumental Exploration:
Instrumental Accompaniment: YES
Grade level: 1st grade - 2nd grade
Idea: Students can act out the story. There are lots of characters in this version of the song. Students not acting out a character for the retelling of the story can provide a simple instrumental accompaniment.
Fine Arts Integration Lesson Ideas
Language Arts: YES
Math:
Science:
Social Studies:
Fine Arts:
Grade level: 4th grade - 5th grade
Idea: Students can compare this version of the song and book with the version illustrated by Iza Trapani using a Venn Diagram.
Generative Theory of Music Learning Lesson Ideas
Content/Concept: refrain
Context: Froggie Went a Courtin'
Behavior: Organizing - composing
Mode: enactive (action based)
Level of Cognition: middle diverge
Grade level: 3rd grade - 5th grade
Idea: In each version of this song there is a refrain included in the form. Students could be given the task of creating a new refrain. Once established, the new refrain could be used as the book is reread.
Social Constructivist Lesson Ideas
Real World Problems: YES
Peer Interaction: YES
Collaboration: YES
Open Ended Products: YES
Embedded Assessment: YES
Grade level: 2nd grade - 4th grade
Idea: Students can be given the task of writing an alternate ending that does not include the Tomcat crashing the party.