I Wonder
$8.00 – $20.00
Penguins always look so dressed up rocking that black “tuxedo” look. Although we may think they look terrific, what if a penguin gets tired of wearing the same thing every day?
This bouncy march-like song has three verses set with simple rhythms and a melody that falls withing the vocal range of D4 – C5. The melody is written using mostly step-wise motion with a few easy to navigate interval jumps. Natural breathing breaks assist the singer with maintaining good breath energy.
Older singers will manage the three verses easily while younger singers may find it helpful to sing with another singer or in a small ensemble to give support for the lyric load. I Wonder is a super song for young choirs, small group classes and elementary music classes.
Use cross-curricular activities to extend the scope of this song making educational connections and adding elements of creative play. Activities include curricular connections to: Fine arts (music, visual art, and dance), language arts, science and technology.
Get Donna’s “Four Penguin Songs” as a set and save 25%.
Listen to the Donna & Andy performance track:
Listen to melody + accompaniment – sample:
Download Includes:
- Vocal score
- Lead sheet
- Director/piano score
- Lyrics
- Accompaniment – with melody guide
- Accompaniment – piano
- Donna & Andy band – instrumental track
- Donna & Andy – performance track
- 13 Cross-curricular Activities
- Colouring page
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I Wonder
Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for I Wonder
I Wonder is one of 12 songs from the award-winning song collection "Computer Cat". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.
Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 93-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 12 songs. Enjoy!
Please note: audio tracks for the e-book version are sold separately. Print copies of the book include CD (24 tracks)
There are 3 more penguin songs for fun singing in your home school, classroom, vocal studio or choir.
Purchase all Four Penguin Songs together and save 25%
Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including:
Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.
The Computer Cat CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (24) are available for download or physical CD on this website.
Introductory discussion
- Discuss penguin facts that the students know.
- Research additional information about penguins.
Expressive singing
- Emphasize key words by using clear, crisp consonants.
- For dramatic contrast, speak the line “I’m wearing red tonight.” Choose the emotion you wish to convey: excitement, rebellion, decisiveness, musing, etc.
Add actions
- Listen to the performance track and do the following actions for the words listed.
I wonder - index finger to side of head (thinking)
never - shake head or finger side to side, like saying no
suit coat - show where a fancy lapel would be
eater - pretend to eat
shirtfront - put hand flat on chest
won’t see - shake head no and point to eyes
apron - move flat hand down the front of your chest
chest - flat hand on chest
best - thumbs up sign
tired - droop the shoulders and drop the head a bit
“I’m wearing red tonight” - hands on hips and nod head
choice - hands out to the sides, shrug your shoulders
white and black - right hand first, then left hand out to each side
black and white - left hand first, then right hand out to each side
again - fold arms across chest - The actions listed above are included in the PDF download.
Vocal exploration
There are many kinds of voices: talking, singing, whispering, shouting, etc.
In I Wonder, the line “I’m wearing red tonight,” may be spoken.
How well do you know the voices of the people in your class?
Use a recording device.
- Have all the students say their names.
- Record their voices.
- Listen to the recording.
Change the order of the students.
- Have each student say, “Hello, how are you?” and record it.
- Play the recording for the class and see if the speaker can be identified.
Have each child say something with a disguised voice.
- Can the person still be identified?
Have each child sing something (something simple like Rain, rain go away).
- Students should use their best singing voice.
- The voice should not be disguised.
- Can the person be identified from his or her singing voice?
Explore Cross Curricular Activities
A package of 13 cross-curricular activities has been created for use with the song, I Wonder. Additional activities are included with each of Donna’s other penguin songs: Penguin Parade, Pondering Penguins and The Penguin Ball.
Share the cross-curricular activities with classroom teachers so they can tie into the music their students have learned in the music room.
Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song I Wonder.
I Wonder
This is one of four penguin songs I have written. I was asked by a teacher at my school if I had any penguin songs she could include as part of a penguin unit she was doing with her students. I didn’t have anything to offer her, so when her students came to music class and started telling me everything they knew about penguins, I used that information to write them some songs.
I Wonder explores the limited wardrobe options of a penguin. They always look like they are dressed up in a fancy suit. I think they look quite grand, but I wonder if they ever get tired of wearing the same thing day after day! I imagined a penguin standing at the open door of the closet looking at all those black and white shirts and black suits. I was amused as I wondered what would happen if he decided he wanted to be different and wear something red for a change? I had fun imagining the penguin in this song and writing the lyrics for I Wonder.
When you have enjoyed singing this song and doing the activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!
Please send us your performing video - we might be able to post it on this page!
| License | Single User License, Classroom / Studio License, Treble Choir License |
|---|---|
| Context | Choir – Elementary, Choir Repertoire, Classroom Songs, Expressive Storytelling Songs, Small Group Class, Song Collection – Computer Cat, Vocal Solo, Cross-curricular Activities |
| Topic | Animals / Creatures, Curiosity, Humorous, Imagination, Nature |
| Level | |
| Voicing | |
| Vocal Range | D4 – C5 |
| Duration | |
| Composer | Donna Rhodenizer |
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