This week our second graders were working on the traditional folk song simple gifts. The song is about the goal to live a simple life. Around 200 years ago, the Shakers believed that a simple life is the only way to reach happiness and freedom. I asked our Roadrunners how they would feel without having a TV, video games, or many toys... they were surely NOT happy about the idea. ;) Still, this song was a great way to connect music to our culture and history and to think about concepts which were not musical but still of great value for understanding the song.

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