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Children's song in Amharic: Ye bait incessaht Lesson Plan

by Amy Brownlee Objective The student will learn how to sing an Ethiopian children's song in the Amharic language.

Background knowledge This song is a little like our version of "Old McDonald" because it's about animals and the sounds they make. This lesson plan includes a song lyric sheet with the English translation, an audio file of the melody of the song, and sheet music with the melody and Amharic words. Materials Song lyrics projected on screen using computer and projector. Audio file of melody (optional). Sheet music (optional). Optional: have students create cat, dog and chicken stick puppets to hold up during the verses of the song. Procedure 1. Ask students what songs most American kids learn as children. Solicit answers such as "Twinkle, twinkle little star," "Old McDonald," etc. Sing a little bit of the songs as they are suggested. You could do a "name that tune" activity by humming the song and asking the children to identify it. 2. Explain that students will learn a children's song in Amharic that is a little bit like "Old McDonald" because the animals in the song make noise. 3. Explain that Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, but there are over 80 languages spoken there. Children may enjoy seeing some examples of Amharic script or the fidel to see how it differs from English. 4. Pre-teach the names of the animals in the song: wusha = dog, dimmit = cat, doro = chicken. 5. Project the song's lyrics and English translation on the screen. Have students repeat the words after you. Speak the words in rhythm. Then add the melody little by little. Repetition is the key to learning a song. It works well to spread the teaching of the song out over 2-3 sessions, each time reviewing what is known and then adding a new section. 6. Once students learn the song, invite them to sing it for their classroom teacher, principal, or even at a school assembly. 7. Optional: have students create cat, dog and chicken stick puppets to hold up during the verses of the song.

Assessment Performance of song

Extension Activities Partner with the music teacher. Students could play the melody of the song on the recorder, bells, or other musical instruments using the sheet music. Learn more about traditional fine arts in Ethiopia: o Listen to examples of traditional Ethiopian music. o Learn about traditional Ethiopian instruments. o Watch a video of traditional Ethiopian dancing. Let students try the dances. They love this! o Learn about Ethiopian art work. o Learn about traditional art forms such as weaving, pottery, embroidery, etc.

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