A Mulberry Bush Sing-Along has BUILDING BLOCKS in its “Playlist”. Each session follows the same rhythm, with variations in each BUILDING BLOCK.
Between each BUILDING BLOCK are usually “transition songs” – at least whenever the children are expected to DO something it’s shared in a song… you’ll see what I mean a bit later! For YOUR Mulberry Bush Sing-Along, the BUILDING BLOCKS might switch around a bit, or you might have someone in your community who plays the djembe, trumpet, saxophone, or the melodica (I dream to!) who wishes to join the core group and play each week. Each community will evolve their sing-along’s rhythm over the course of a few months. (It can also change when you meet indoors vs. outdoors). Here’s the rhythm that we’ve settled into:

BUILDING BLOCKS

OPENING (always the same)
– 2 finger plays
– Welcome! Brief announcements
– “Hello Everyone!”
– Owl! (Vocal Warm-Up)
– Stretch – be a tree! (Imaginative movement)
– Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (Physical Warm-up)
– A dancing tune on the piano

INSTRUMENT JAM – Bring out the community instrument bins!
– 2-3 songs that feature rhythm, marching, group listening, musical dynamics, and TONS OF FUN

SING-ALONG & MOVEMENT
– 4-5 songs: some are group standards, some pop in and out; this building block features songs in which kids offer ideas (think Old McDonald and Chop, chop, chippity, chop-type songs) and seasonal selections.

GUITAR = Cool Down Time
– 2 group standards

PARACHUTE
– Happy Birthday!
– 4-5 songs, rhymes, imaginative play that meets the fun of the parachute (up/down, round & round, the middle is the moon, and the like!)

THE MULBERRY BUSH
– The playful song where the name originated! Whole community is invited to join hands and sing & act together
– “Bye Bye Everyone!”

BUBBLES