Category Archives: Year 2

In all cultures the Arts are used to express identity.

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As we draw our current “How we express ourselves” unit to a close, I would like to offer the students in year 2 an opportunity to share a musical example of their cultural identity. This is optional and should not create any extra work in any way. Examples can be shared over the course of the next 2 or 3 music lessons, as part of our ‘Music and Me’ time and we will continue to study musical examples from Thailand, Kenya and other parts of the world.
Examples might be: a significant musical instrument (or a photo or video of one if it is difficult to bring to school), a dance move or a song. The most important thing is that there is some brief thought or discussion as to how the artefact is connected to your child’s culture. It could be an example from a home country, a country lived in for a while or even a country visited on holiday that has significance.
I have shared my East African drums and instruments from Kenya and Tanzania with the students as they embody a very important part of my musical life, when I lived in Africa for 3 years.

East African drums are an important part of my cultural identity.

NIST Song (YMCA)

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Sorry about this, but it had to be done ……

N I S T Song (YMCA)

Kazoo solo

Young kid, there’s no need to feel down.
I said, young kid, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young kid, ’cause you’re in a new town,
There’s no need to be unhappy.

Young kid, there’s a place you can go.
I said, young kid, when you’re feeling so low
You can learn there, and I’m sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.

It’s fun to learn at the N I S T
It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

They have everything for us kids to enjoy,
You can hang out and make some noise

N I S T
It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

You can learn some new things,
You can make some new friends,
You can do whatever you feel …

Young kid, are you listening to me?
I said, young kid, what do you want to be?
I said, young kid, you can make real your dreams.
But you’ve got to know this one thing!

No one does it all by themself.
I said, young kid, put your pride on the shelf,
And just hang there, at the N I S T
I’m sure they can help you today. X X X X X

It’s fun to learn at the N I S T
It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

They have everything for us kids to enjoy,
You can hang out and make some noise.

N I S T
It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

You can learn some new things,
You can make some new friends,
You can do whatever you feel …

Young kid, I was once in your shoes.
I said, I was down and out with the blues.
I felt no one cared if I were alive.
I felt the whole world was so tight …

That’s when someone came up to me,
And said, young kid, take a walk up the street.
There’s a place there called the N I S T
They can start you back on your way. X X X X X

It’s fun to learn at the N I S T
It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

You can learn some new things,
You can make some new friends,
You can do whatever you feel …

N I S T – It’s fun to learn at the N I S T

Young kid, young kid, there’s no need to feel down.
Young kid, young kid, get yourself off the ground.

Kazoo solo

N I S T !

Year 2 Music – Where in the world?

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Year 2’s have started to explore culture and identity through exploring instruments from Kenya.
Check out these slideshows of the year 2’s in action.

Jambo, Jambo bwana, (Hello, sir)
Habari gani, (How are you?)
Mzuri sana. (Fine, thank you)
Wageni, mwakaribishwa, (Foreigners, you are welcome)
Kenya yetu (In Kenya)
Hakuna Matata. (There are no worries)

2LH – Where in the world? on PhotoPeach
2BM – Where in the world? on PhotoPeach
2MR – Where in the world? on PhotoPeach
2NR- Where in the world? on PhotoPeach
2RJ – Where in the world? on PhotoPeach

Bucket Filler Song

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Bucket Filler Song

I have a bucket that needs to be full,
And so does everyone around this school.
When it’s full I feel happy all day.
But when it’s empty I feel sad and grey ……
Hey Hey!
So be a bucket filler.

Fill, fill, fill, fill a bucket don’t
Dip, dip, dip, dip in a bucket.
Fill, fill, fill, fill a bucket don’t
Dip, dip, dip, dip in a bucket.

Give out a smile and don’t be mean,
And we’ll have the kindest school
you’ve ever seen.
Hey Hey.
Just be a bucket filler …….

(Repeat all from beginning)

Mister Sun

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Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me.
Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden sun,
Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you
To please come out so we can play with you.
Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me.

Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me.
Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden sun,
Hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you
To please come out so we can play with you.
Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on
Please shine down on
Please shine down me.

Year 2 – Haydn’s Big Surprise

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Franz Josef Haydn was so fed up with his audiences falling asleep that he made a piece of music with a loud bang in the middle of it. His aim was to make the point that his music should be listened to properly, with what we call ‘active listening’. He was half joking – and his music became known as “The Surprise Symphony”. He liked jokes though, as one time he made music called “The Farewell Symphony” and one by one the performers leave the stage until there are just two instruments left! It was said that he wanted more money from his boss and was sending a message that he would leave if he didn’t get it!