The Star Mangled Banner

Our tradition was to begin everyday with the National Anthem. We would practice our posture while singing along with understanding the success, or failure, of a group performance. That being said, the anthem allowed me to indulge in teaching some vital issues. Melisma, i.e. singers making up the melody. How often we witness the performance of the anthem sung by someone who makes no effort to have us sing along. We can't sing along. We have no idea what melody is being sung. We hear versions of music with faux soul and unabashed stylizations that are horrid. Horrible. Inexcusable. Good singing isn't about imitating Idina Menzel (her recent fiasco here) Our children today, unfortunately hear so little quality singing that they have been desensitized to poor intonation and purile melodies.
I had a favorite lesson where we would read the sheet music for "O Mio babbinno caro" and then compare 3 sopranos to hear their voices and make critical judgements. After blind listening tests, they allows choose Montserrat Caballé.

To appreciate melisma we often would site read choral pieces by Henry Purcell. I'd compare his melodic journeys to a roller coaster ride. Try "Come,Come Ye Sons of Art" with your students. It's great fun and an excellent way to practice sighht reading. We would do this in 1st through 4th grades.