Tutorial 6: Learn the song 'I am the golden hen'
Tutorial: 'I am the golden hen'
During the tutorial the children will:
- Learn Verse 1, including the two-part section.
- Learn the Chorus - reaching up high for the top notes.
- Learn Verses 2 and 3.
- Recognise the high notes in the chorus - which descend - or get lower.
- Sing in two parts - Group B repeating what Group A sings.
- Consider how Verse 1 and Verse 2 are similar - which lines are repeated?
Song: 'I am the golden hen'
Practise singing the song together and children can sway to the gentle, lilting rhythm.
Identify how the jumpy rhythms in Verse 1 and Verse 2 are almost exactly the same. They are repeated.
Help the children to identify how the lines (or phrases) two and four are identical in each verse.
Sing with the full-vocal version of 'I am the golden hen'
Sing with the backing track to 'I am the golden hen'
The story
There are two episodes of the Jack and the Beanstalk story on each content page.
Episode 11 of the story
Episode 11
Jack has returned to the village and life is much easier now - Jack even has a bed to sleep in! But soon there is only one silver coin left and food is running short. Jack gazes at the beanstalk and decides he must return to the Giants' castle.
The Giant's wife is delighted to see him again and makes Jack a cup of teaâŠbut suddenly her husband returns - saying again that he can smell a boy - and this time the Giant's wife decides to hide Jack up the chimney.
After his meal the Giant asks for his hen - not an ordinary hen but rather a magic, golden one that lays golden eggs. Jack is amazed!
Episode 12 of the story
Episode 12
The Giant gruffly instructs the hen to lay a golden eggâŠbut nothing happens. In fact, the hen refuses to lay an egg until the Giant says 'Please', which he duly does. The egg joins the many others that the Giant has demanded from the hen.
After the Giant goes to sleep Jack climbs down from the chimney and says he knows exactly where the hen will be most use - in the village. The golden hen is another item the Giant has stolen so the Giant's wife gives Jack another wink.
Then he returns to the village with the hen, where she carries on laying. Jack's Ma is delighted.
Literacy links
Year 1: Talk about the amazing golden hen. Can the children say (or write down) a few words to describe her / say what her name might be / say what she likes to eat / what she likes doing / etc? Draw pictures.
Year 2: Children write simple sentences as though they are the golden hen, beginning âHello! I am the golden henâŠâ and including things like her name / a description of appearance / her age / things she likes doing / etc.
An extract from the 'Bird's theme' from 'Peter and the wolf' by Sergei Prokofiev.
Listening music
An extract from the Bird's theme from Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev.
What instrument is playing the theme? (The flute). The flute is playing a solo - ie on its own.
Can the children say what animal the flute music is for in the story of Peter and the Wolf? They need to really think about the music to help them. Is the music high or low? (High). Is the animal it depicts big or small?
Comprehension quiz
Four questions about Episode 11 and four questions about Episode 12.
Resources
Guidance on all the content for the Jack and the Beanstalk music series
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
Download / print the music (pdf)
Watch next
4. And he went higher! collection
In the morning Jack finds the beanstalk growing in the garden.
5. Fee-fi-fo-fum! collection
Jack makes friends with the Giant's wife in the castle. But when her husband returns Jack hides while the Giant eats his dinner.
7. We're rich! collection
The golden hen has been stolen so Jack must make a final trip to the Giants' castle.
