We love our goodbye song, "I Got Rhythm" written by American composer George Gershwin (you may know his Rhapsody in Blue) that first appeared in the movie An American in Paris with Gene Kelly. I included the video because the clip is so charming!

We sing the lyrics:

I got rhythm; I got music; I got my friends who can ask for anything more

Spend time learning "I Got Rhythm" this week with the original lyrics:

I got rhythm
I got music
I got my man/girl
Who could ask for anything more?
I got daisies
In green pastures
I got my man/girl
Who could ask for anything more?

Ol' Man Trouble
I don't mind him
You won't find him
'Round my door
I got starlight
I got sweet dreams
I got my man/girl
Who could ask for anything more?
Who could ask for anything more?

Then try the following activities:

1. Fill in the blank "I got _____" for the whole tune

2. Copy Gene Kelly and ask your child to sing "I got" and then you complete the line with the original lyrics or your own, creating a call/response

3. Sing the song without words, either humming or on a neutral syllable like "la"

4. Replace the words with totally different words, ie. "Bird cat rabbit, bird cat rabbit, bird cat rabbit, frog and elephant and cow." This is great for rhythmic grouping and imagination!

5. Listen to any number of recordings and tap dance!! Our favorites include Ella Fitzgerlad, Sarah Vaughan, Marcus Roberts Trio, Sonny Stitt, Louis Armstrong, and Hank Jones