|
Please use the following introduction when performing:
“Kuku" means "chicken" in many languages, including Kiswahili, the most widely spoken African language. The original South African choir folk song was arranged for children by Garth Prince during the pandemic. This dance performance, like the rooster on a farm, is meant to wake us up and get us ready for a new day. |
TEACHER NOTES:
|
Step 1: Watch the video |
TEACHER NOTES:
I arranged the song at home during COVID and recently had a chance to test it with Grade 2 students for a concert. I found that memorizing the lyrics and singing the chorus melody were challenging for them but it worked well as a dance performance piece. I think it might work well as a combined performance. Older grades could do the singing and even xylophone parts, while younger grades did the dance. |
Step 2: Learn the lyrics and dance movesBass xylophone starts
The beat starts (and then other xylophones) Get up get up... Open my eyes. Give thanks, it’s a new day. Can’t wait to learn, make music and play. Good morning world, here I come To do my best, and have some fun Open my heart. Give love and kindness. A better way, yes I’ll try it I have no wings, but I can fly 'cause I do my best, and reach for the sky Kuku kuru kuru (or Kuku kuru kuku) Kuru kuku Get up get up... An open mind. Stretch up high Breathe in deep. Side to side Turn around. Go down low Touch the ground. Feel the flow An open body. Shake off the sleep Twisting turning, feeling free Now I’m ready to learn An early bird, catching the worm Kuku kuru kuru (or Kuku kuru kuku) Kuru kuku Now let's go low and do the chicken Cluck like a chicken stand up before chorus Kuku kuru kuru (or Kuku kuru kuku) Kuru kuku I'm ready, I'm ready for today (X3) I'm ready, I'm ready for today |
TEACHER NOTES:
Please note that I've underlined the lyrics where dance moves change from one to another. Step on the beat starting with right foot (then left etc.) Get up: Raise both hands up on the beat while stepping eyes: slide right foot to the right (then left etc.) heart: lift right knee to connect with hands (then left etc.) no wings: raise hands higher while doing the knee touch kuku/kuru: Side step with right foot forward (then left etc.) Get up: Raise both hands up on the beat while stepping Stretch up Side: Left hand to the right then right hand to the left Turn around. Go down low An open: stand up. Shake off: shake both hands at head level Twisting: Left hand to the right then right hand to the left Now: Shake hands above head early bird: Shake hand at knee level kuku/kuru: Side step with right foot forward (then left etc.) Lower yourself gradually to your knees Cluck: Bounce on the beat kuku/kuru: Side step with right foot forward (then left etc.) Ready: Right thumbs up with right step (then left etc) today: Freeze with right thumbs up |
Step 3: Check out the original
Check out the choir version that inspired Garth's arrangement.
Can you see name some differences and similarities between the original and Garth's arrangement?
Can you see name some differences and similarities between the original and Garth's arrangement?