Introduction to India!
This week in music class, we were introduced to the country of India! Located in South Asia, India has an amazing cultural heritage and there are so many neat facts to learn about it.
We observed the country on our world map, and also looked at everything from traditional dress, from saris (beautiful, "drapey" dresses worn by women) and turbans worn by men to traditional architecture, such as the Taj Mahal. We also looked at the national flower--the lotus--which some students thought resembled the apple blossom!
We also listened to traditional Indian music while learning about three of the coolest animals native to Indian jungles--the Asian or Indian elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and the Flying Fox bat!
Check out the lyrics and mp3 of the bat song I composed below and don't forget to ask your child about the extender questions to keep the interesting conversation about India going at home!
BATS!
I used a black handkerchief as a pretend "bat" for this song and placed it on my head while singing the verse and chorus. At the end, I pulled it off my head as though I was scared and it had surprised me. The kids thought this was hilarious!
Bats
have shiny leather wings,
bats do many clever things,
bats doze upside-down by day,
bats come out at night to play.
Bats, bats, bats
I sure do like bats!
Bats, bats, bats
But I don’t want one
as a hat!
EEK!
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD:
1) What country are you learning about in music class? India!
2) What animals live in India? The Indian elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Flying Fox fruit bat!
3) In the bat song from music class, what DOESN'T Miss Chantal want to do with the bat? Wear it as a hat! =)