The Badger and the Grizzly

Poststructural Pub
1

Every spring, I have my 4th, 5th, and 6th graders write their own song for their spring concert. In the past, they have chosen a poem to set to music and arrange. This year, we walked (and crawled, and struggled) through the process of starting from scratch, with just an idea, and then helping it grow into a song. As might be expected, the results were delightful and unexpected. This one is particularly fun, written by forth graders. It has a spooky, minor key tune, sung acapella:

The Badger and the Grizzly
'Twas in a mountain forest
on a dark and gloomy night
a badger met a grizzly bear
and challenged him to fight

Said Griz, “Are you sure, Badger?
I’m too big and strong for you!
I’m the meanest creature in these woods:
I’d beat you black and blue!”

Said Badger, “You may be big,
but I’m not scared of you:
I’m quick and fierce and headstrong.
You’ll be sorry when I’m through.”

Just then they heard a rustling
coming from the trees.
The two began to tremble,
and got shaky in the knees.

“I think I hear a trapper!”
“Or a hunter with a gun!”
“Or maybe it’s a bull moose!”
“I don’t want to meet either one!”

The Badger and the Grizzly
ran away in fright.
The meanest creatures in the woods:
So much for their fight!

And what was it that scared them so,
and caused them both to flee?
Just a tiny chipmunk
scampering through the trees.

I love my job. :heart:

2

Little plague carriers is what they are.

3

by the sixth grade, some of ‘em are gettin’ pretty big!!!

4

that’s brilliant, good job! very cute.

5

Yes, I detect some abiguity. Probably true on both counts. :LOL:

6

That’s great! :slight_smile: Thanks for the smile!

7

Lovely! Thank you!

8

Tonight is the big night. We’ll be finishing up the concert with Three Little Birds (by Bob Marley), complete with four fourth graders on Sweettone C’s playing the countermelody. :smiley: Wish us luck!
T

9

And since there is specific mention of the Grizzly, this is what is meant by badger: :smiling_imp:

10

Yep, a good old American Badger. Of course, it’s pure fantasy–American badgers don’t run away from much. :slight_smile:

I’ll try to post a video link of some of the songs later on. The one about “Murphy’s Law” has been a big hit, so far.

Tom

11

Badgers like to hang out with coyotes, I think together they could have taken that 'munk.

12

That, my friend, is a chicken owner’s nightmare right there.

13

Looks like the start of the Get Along Gang:

14

My kids utterly KICKED TAIL tonight! Stay tuned for some links. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

T

15

:smiley: cool!!! :smiley:

16

:laughing: