Musical Explorers
Lesson 2: Learning “Green Sally”
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Aim: How does a children’s game become a song?
Summary: Students will learn to sing “Green Sally,” explore the children’s games associated with the song, learn about the breakdown, and try their hand at Gullah quilting.
Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, Musical Explorers Student Guide, quilting materials
Standards: National 1, 2, 6, 10, 11; NYC 1, 2, 3, 4
Vocabulary: breakdown, quilt
“Green Sally” was originally a clapping game—one of the games children in the Low Country played to keep them occupied while the adults worked. It also became a jump rope game. The rhythms and rhymes grew directly out of African traditions.
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Sing “Green Sally”
- Listen to “Green Sally” to hear the full song.
- Clap the steady beat while speaking the words to “Green Sally,” noticing and accentuating the rhythm of the words.
- Sing "Green Sally” using “Green Sally” chorus, continuing to clap the steady beat. Start by learning the chorus and add the verses and breakdown as your students are ready.
- Listen to “Green Sally” one more time, clapping the Gullah beat included in Lesson 1
Image Credits
Salt tidal marshes by Castle Light Images / Alamy Stock Photo