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Sneezy the Snowman

by Maureen Wright

This story is silly, musical, interactive, and absolutely perfect for January.

And in one lesson, your students will:

Review solfege & Curwen hand signs
Practice ta & titi (plus rests!)
Complete beginner rhythm analysis
Chant with steady beat
Move with purpose
And demonstrate learning through digital or printable assessments

All while giggling their way through a snowman who cannot stop melting.

It’s joyful. It’s structured.
And it makes the first week back feel manageable again.

Let’s Get Started

Step 2 — Chanting the Story

Throughout the book, a line repeats:

“Sneezy the snowman shivered.
Brrr! It’s cold out here — that’s for sure!”

So we turn it into a chant.

Then we layer on:

🎵 staccato vs legato
🎵 piano vs forte
🎵 steady beat work

Suddenly students are performing expressive music skills — without performance pressure.

Step Three: Build-A-Snowman Rhythm Reading

Each time Sneezy melts, the children rebuild him.

Your students do the same.

To earn each snowman part, students decode and perform ta and titi rhythms. They listen, analyze, respond, and succeed — and all of it feels like play rather than assessment.

You gain authentic rhythm-reading evidence while students remain fully engaged.

Both digital and printable options are available, allowing you to adapt the activity for your classroom setup and grade levels.

Step Four: Rests with Expression

A repeating line in the story includes a pause before the children react.

We transform that pause into a musical rest.

We explore quarter rests.
Then half rests.
Then whole rests.

Each pause becomes slightly longer and slightly more dramatic. Students begin to feel the value of silence as music, not interruption.

It is theatrical, engaging, and deeply musical — without causing chaos.

Step Five: The Sneezy Song

Students then sing a simple melody using solfege patterns. It is approachable and comfortable for young voices, and provides an ideal space for rebuilding confidence after the break.

They sing.
They move.
They feel successful.

Which is exactly the tone we want to set in January.

Step Six: Student Creativity and Assessment

To close the lesson, students design their own snowman and label rhythm patterns for each item. This serves as both creative expression and meaningful assessment — without students ever feeling like they are being tested.

Printable and digital versions are included.

By the end of class, you will have:

• rhythm data

• solfege evidence

• steady-beat demonstration

• expressive performance indicators

All gathered naturally through joyful participation.

Want More Lessons Like This? Try the Back-From-Break Survival Kit

Sneezy the Snowman is just one lesson inside my Back-From-Break Survival Kit, created for those first weeks after winter break when students need structure and movement—and teachers need things to be simple.

Inside the kit, you’ll get:

• 12 ready-to-teach review lessons

• Digital + printable assessments

• Movement breaks and rhythm play-alongs

• A 5-week movement course with short, practical videos

• Workbooks, planning tools, and 20+ hours of PD

Everything is designed to help you start the new year strong—with less prep, less stress, and better data.

The kit is available inside The Soaring Scarves Academy and supports you well beyond January.

Final Thoughts

Start 2026 Calm, Prepared, and Confident

Your students and you deserve a thoughtful start.
You deserve easy-to-use, purposeful lessons.

Sneezy the Snowman — along with the Back-From-Break Survival Kit — helps you begin the new year with structure, warmth, and music-making that matters.

Happy teaching, and happy playing.

Happy playing,
Leanna O’Brien
Founder of The Soaring Scarves Academy

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