One of my favorite workshops was that of Ann Kay.  Ann is a Kodály educator and from what I hear, she is working on developing a music program that supports classroom literacy.  ROCKE has discussed bringing her out for a workshop, I hope that's fruitful some day as she is a fabulous clinician.  Fifteen years later, I still use EVERYTHING that she presented at her workshop in my teaching.

One of my favorite songs that she presented is Bo Diddle Bop.  It's great for improvisation, vocal exploration, expression and it lends itself to this so well in 4th and 5th grade.   And it's an echo song/chant so once students know it they can start leading it (great chance for a singing assessment).

Here it is:

With a pizza in my han' (with a pizza in my han'), 

I can be yo' pizza man! (I can be yo' pizza man!)

Yo' pizza man! (Yo' pizza man!)

[song]

With some books in my han' (with some books in my han')

I can be yo' librarian (I can be yo' librarian)

Librarian, (Librarian)

With the "pizza man" verse you have to act really "laid back/cool" like a stereotypical pizza guy.  With the librarian verse I use a higher, softer voice and act very reserved.  With the barbarian I use a deeper, stronger and fiercer voice and stance.  With the cumulative part you use the corresponding voice for each of the "people".  The kids just eat this up.  Some other verses that my students have made up include a musician (with a trumpet, sax o guitar and spoken like a "jazz cat"); a lineman (with a football  and spoken with a deep, chant like voice: like you're calling a play); a custodian (with a broom or mop); a garbage man. . . the list is endless!!