7 Effective Ways to Use Acka Backa in the Music Classroom
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Acka Backa Soda Cracker is one of those silly songs that my scholars love. However, it get’s boring doing the same activity to the same song over and over again. I’m always looking for how to reuse old songs in a fresh, new way. Below are 7 ways I like to use Acka Backa in my classroom.
Incorporate Instruments
Acka Backa can be used as an elimination circle game since it ends with the phrase, “out goes you!”. But what do the kids do when they are out? You definitely don’t want them just sitting down waiting for the game to end! This is where instruments come in handy. For my younger kids, I set up a few un-pitched classroom percussion instruments on the side. When they are out, they leave the main circle and head over to the instruments that have already been laid out for them. We continue the game while those that are out keep the steady beat on an instrument. For my older scholars, they do the same thing; however, I incorporate pitched instruments such as xylophones and have them play a specific ostinato or melodic line.
Introduce/Reinforce Quarter Rest/Note and Eighth Note Pair
Acka Backa is made up of quarter notes, quarter rests, and eighth note pairs. This song is a perfect song to teach and reinforce those rhythms in the lower grades (K-2). Teach the song and then have scholars practice their rhythmic dictation. I have an Acka Backa lesson that is geared towards teaching and reinforcing these rhythms. You can purchase it here.
Introduce/Reinforce So-La-Mi
Acka Backa is made up of so, la, and mi so if you are looking for a song to teach those pitches this is it! I know that some teachers also incorporate ‘do’; however, that’s not how it’s traditionally song. Either way, make the song your own. Do what’s best for your scholars!
Four Voices
This is another way to play the circle game without using instruments. I teach Four Voices in Kindergarten but you can probably play this version up until 2nd grade. Scholars sit in a circle. In the center of the circle, I place 4 cards with one of the voices written on each (sing, whisper, speak, shout). Whoever is out goes to the center of the circle and selects one of the four voices. Whatever voice he or she selects is how we will perform the song the next round. For example, if the scholar selects ‘whisper’, we ‘whisper’ Acka Backa for the next round. Scholar rejoins the circle.
Steady Beat
Use Acka Backa to reinforce steady beat with your little ones. You can have them clap the beat, play rhythm sticks or pass around a ball or bean bag on the beat. I have an Acka Backa lesson that focuses on the steady beat. You can purchase it here.
Beat vs. Rhythm
Once you have used Acka Backa to teach steady beat, it’ll be great to take it a step further and use it to show the difference between beat and rhythm. I have an Acka Backa lesson that focuses on the beat vs rhythm. You can purchase it here.
2/4 or 4/4 meter
I try to use familiar songs with my older scholars when I’m teaching meter. Because they have learned Acka Backa in Kindergarten it’s a great way to bring it back when you’re teaching meter and have them feel the beat. I teach Acka Backa in 2/4 meter but it can also be used to teach 4/4.
There you have it! I’d love to hear from you if you use Acka Backa in your classroom a different way. Or, if you use any of these let me know how it goes in your classroom![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”304″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
