Characters With Character

Our 1st grade character musical program was a fresh twist to our traditional “Fairy Tale” program. I’d love to share what we put together in case you might need a show about character in the future. The idea for the musical program came from all of the wonderful books first graders read and the morals they learn through each story. The characters in the book teach character! In our program, Fancy Nancy introduces each song by relating it to lessons learned from the main character. Here is the script we used:

“Hi!  I’m Fancy Nancy and I love DRAMA! Drama is just a fancy word for a show, and we have a GREAT show for you today! Today’s show is about characters, like me, who teach us about character.  Character is another fancy word for personality and our stage is packed with lots of unique personalities.  These characters have appeared in many books, movies or plays  to teach us how to be the best that we can be.   There is one very special character who is here to teach us what it means to be a Skyhawk.  Please welcome Henry Hawk! (our mascot) [Henry walks out with Skyhawk honor code]

Henry has the Skyhawk Honor Code. An honor code is just fancy for a promise we all try to keep.  Hey, characters, can you help read this for our audience? [1st grade reads the honor code in unison]  “A Skyhawk is kind to others, courteous and polite, honest, works hard, practices digital citizenship, and Never gives up” Wow, Henry!  Thanks for your help with our Honor Code. I know these students have read many books filled with Characters who show us important ways to be the best person we can be, just like you do.  Are you ready to hear all about what the 1st graders have learned?  [Henry nods or gives thumbs up]  Me too!   Henry shows us that a Skyhawk is kind to others and there is nothing fancy about kindness: it simply starts with a pair of smiling eyes and a simple, “How do you do?”

#1 “How Do You Do?” (Kind to others)

Purchase and download “How Do You Do”‘ here

#2 “Hold on, Slow Down” (Never gives up)

We all know that a Skyhawk never gives up. In my books, I (Fancy Nancy) like to run slow and dance in circles. Other characters move as uniquely as they look, like caterpillar and sloth. In the books, “The Very Impatient Caterpillar” and “Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth,” these characters learn that no matter how fast you want to move and grow, you have to be patient. Patience is a fancy word for waiting your turn.   [HENRY RUNS ACROSS AS BUTTERFLY] Who knew that patience creates a beautiful butterfly and can teach a jaguar to be calm and peaceful.  Patience and perseverance is the way to go! Just Hold On and Slow Down! 

Visit Starshine music.co.uk to purchase this song

#3 “Say Please” (Courteous and polite)

We all know that Skyhawks are courteous and polite.  That’s just fancy for good manners! In the book that we read, “Lilly and Her Purple Plastic Purse” taught us that manners are a MUST!  True Skyhawks are proud of their good manners, and there is no easier way to have good manners than simply saying Please and Thank you! Say PLEASE! 

Purchase and download “Say Please”‘ here from Music K-8

#4 “I’m Not Perfect” Chrysanthemum and imperfection 

My best friend has a fancy name and it is Chrysanthemum.  Some people at Chrysanthemum’s school teased her about her name and I would give anything for a fancier name than Nancy, like Nanthymum.  But I don’t think that will ever happen. And, my mom tells me, Nancy is the most perfect name in the world because It’s Mine!  My mom says that what we most want to change about ourselves is actually what makes us perfectly who we are! Whether we are tall, short, have a fancy name or a sweet one, our differences make us unique and special. Perfectly imperfect is the perfect way to be, which is why “I’m Not Perfect”  is my favorite song…I could sing it alllll day long! 

Purchase “I’m Not Perfect” from Music K-8 here.                        

#5 It’s Not Tricky, Don’t Be Icky! 

In almost every story, there is at least one character who is mean. That’s what makes the drama, because if everyone was kind like a true Skyhawk, we’d have no drama at all! Keep your days drama free!  Be kind!  It’s not tricky, don’t be icky! 

Purchase and download “Don’t Be Icky”‘ here. Vol. 31, No 1

#6 “Little Red Hen” (Skyhawks work Hard)

A Skyhawk works hard.  I often think about all of the farm animals who refused to (that’s fancy for WOULD NOT) help the little red hen who was only trying to do something great for everyone. If only there had been a Skyhawk on that farm, who surely would have worked hard and helped little red, then the little red hen would have had some help…  

Purchase and download “Little Red Hen”‘ here at Music K-8

#7 “Get Back Jack” (Common Sense) 

There are a few things that the Skyhawk honor code doesn’t tell us to do with our character. The biggest missing piece might be:  A Skyhawk uses common sense!   Or A Skyhawk assesses the risk. (That’s fancy for think before you act!)  Using common sense would have been a very good addition for that character Jack if he had been a Skyhawk.  Jack, Really?! A beanstalk that grows into the clouds where a giant lives?! Not a good choice, Jack!  Think! Get Back! 

Purchase and download “We’re Gonna Be All Right” here from Music K-8

We changed the words in this song

#8:  “Smile Smile Smile” (Anxious and worried)  

I am anxious. (That’s fancy for I worry so much I can feel unwell.) My dad tells me, sometimes we worry for a good reason and sometimes we worry for no reason at all. My dad tells me, just don’t worry about your worrying! He tells me to smile big and tell the whole world:  I’M WORRIED! And when I do that, it makes me laugh and I’m not so worried after all. That’s the trick: smile, smile smile.  

Purchase and download “Smile, Smile, Smile”‘ here from Music K-8

#9 “The Golden Rule”  

In class, we read about otters. (That’s fancy for river puppies) But the story wasn’t about real otters, it was about otter characters.  And the characters say, “Do Unto Otters as Otters do unto you!” Get it!?!!  If not, here’s a beautiful song that will explain… The Golden Rule. 

Purchase and download “Golden Rule”‘ here from Music K-8

#10 Encore:  “I’m not Perfect” 

Henry!  Aren’t these characters and their lessons for us amazing!!!  I have really loved being on stage with these characters.  We are all characters just working on our character.  We are all different but we have a few things in common:

1. 1. WE ARE FANCY! 
   2. WE MAKE MISTAKES! 
   3. WE ARE CHARACTERS DEVELOPING CHARACTER! 
   4. And WE WANT YOU TO SING WITH US! 

Please sing along with us to “I’m Not Perfect”  The lyrics are in your program  [Sing Encore: I’m Not Perfect] Thank you 1st Grade Teachers, Mr. S., our sound engineer, Parents for wonderful costumes

Make it a great day!”

Watch the show here.

What other songs have you found that address character at the first grade level?

Leave a comment and share your idea.