‘YOU GOTTA BE’ – exploring cross-curricular themes
‘YOU GOTTA BE’ - the song for ‘Big Sing 2008’ is threaded with themes that teachers and children explore daily in assemblies and lessons nationwide, through SEAL [Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning], PSHE [Physical , Social and Health Education] and Citizenship.
The lyrics of Des’ree’s song also resonate strongly with Every Child Matters: the government programme for a national framework to support the "joining up" of children’s services - education, culture, health, social care, and justice.
The appealing musical style of ‘You Gotta Be’ is rooted in calypso, one of Des’ree’s early musical influences during a formative time in Barbados. The Caribbean lilt is very evident in this song and may encourage children to explore other calypso songs. The Caribbean would also provide a fascinating topic or theme for cross-curricular development, bringing together subject areas as geography, history, science, English, food technology, art and design, dance and, of course, music!
Here are some pointers for discussion and follow-up work offering opportunities to expand the song’s themes and sustain the impact of ‘Big Sing’ – ideas to contribute to cross-curricular development and build on children’s experiences in lasting, meaningful and appropriate ways:
SEAL aspects of learning:
Self-awareness - Managing feelings – Motivation- Empathy - Social skills
Possible PSHE & Citizenship themes which could also be explored through Drama, Speaking and Listening and Creative Writing:
- Independence in school and family contexts
- Identity: self-worth, self-belief & self-reliance
- Cultural diversity
- Globalisation
- Emotional development
- Bullying
- Respect and responsibility
- Communication and participation
- Collaboration and cooperation
- Expressing and managing feelings
- Friendships and peer mentoring
The Five Outcomes of Every Child Matters
Be Healthy
Stay safe
Enjoy and Achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic wellbeing
2008
On the 27th November 2008 at 2:45pm, live from the O2 Arena in London, the "Big Sing" returns to every school throughout the UK. With your support we aim to break our existing 2005 Guinness World Record of 293,978 children all singing with the stars simultaneously, by reaching the ONE MILLION CHILDREN mark.
2005
We were challenged to attempt to beat the then World Record of 83,637 young voices singing simultaneously. This attempt was to become known as the BIG SING.
Joss Stone and Lemar headed the all star lineup that kicked off the BIG SING attempt from the Royal Albert Hall at 2:45PM on December 8th 2005.
