There is a reason We Wish You A Merry Christmas is not found in pre-reading Christmas books very often. First, there is a pick up note, but most students ignore that. A bigger problem is the 8th notes. I could have written this in 6/4 time, and I have done that before for my students. So I am going to insert a poll. If you use pre-reading music with your students, do you think I should revise this and change all the quarters to half notes and all the eighth notes to quarters? In the meantime, I’m not going to count this, or explain the value of 8th notes. I’m not going to get out my hearts and teach two sounds on the beat at this point in their lessons. I’m just going to teach the 8ths by rote. Since my students learn eights as “ti-ti” in school, I’ll start there, then tap the words in rhythm on the fall board, play in the air, jump up and down (I need the exercise) and finally play on the keys. That should do it! 
Take a minute to take the poll so I can see how you feel about this.
