Week of December 29th, 2014

Thank you so much to the LeFurge family for sending a wonderful video of their family enjoying music at home! Read more below...

MAKE NEW FRIENDS, 

BUT KEEP THE OLD!

As we approach 2015 in mere days, I spent a few moments in each classroom this week talking about friends--those who we've known since birth, those who we've just met--and how all of our friends and family are valuable. We reflected on those special people in our lives by singing the following song:

Make New Friends

Make new friends,

But keep the old.

One is silver;

The other gold

A circle's round--

It has no end.

That's how long

I'll be your friend!

As I sang the song on ukulele, we danced around in a circle holding hands. At the end of the song, all of the children hugged or high fived each other. In the toddler room, I showed the children how to "shake hands" as a greeting. They enjoyed this activity!

I extended our lesson in the school age room by asking the children to write about an experience: when has a new friend turned into an old friend? Some students chose to write about any friend of their choosing, and they also drew pictures relating to their writing. Look for a writing sheet in your child's backpack!

All of the music students also loved watching a video sent in from the LeFurge family featuring our student, Tatum, on ukulele along with her family, who also played instruments and sang. This was so much fun and sparked great conversation among the students about how they celebrate music with family at home!

This was one of my "wish list" items and I'm so grateful to have recieved it!  In case you missed my wish list, it is upstairs near the main entrance. On the hand-drawn guitar poster you will find bright orange music notes to take (any of your choosing) with absolutely free requests on them, such as visiting our class to share a song or instrument, or simply emailing musicatjn@gmail.com with a video or sound clip of your child making music or dancing at home! =)

I hope your 2014 has been blessed. Thank you for the gift of your children, and I hope 2015 has nothing but light and love in store for you!

Warmest Regards,
Miss Chantal

Week of December 30th, 2013

ONE IS SILVER AND THE OTHER GOLD!

Today's theme in music class was friendship! We sang "Silver and Gold" and sorted/wore gold and silver bead necklaces--a big hit. =)

We also read the following poem about friendship:

With a Friend

 by Vivian Gouled

 I can talk with a friend

 and walk with friend

 and share my umbrella

 in the rain.

 I can play with a friend

 and stay with a friend

 and learn with a friend

 and explain.

 I can eat with a friend

 and compete with a friend

 and even sometimes 

 disagree.

 I can ride with a friend

 and take pride with a friend.

 A friend can mean

 so much to me!

Older children talked about how the structure of a poem is different from a book, and learned what the word "stanza" meant. We also discussed a few vocabulary words in the poem including "compete" and "pride"!

We also played a fun ball game, sang "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story and learned how to sing "friend" in Spanish! We discovered today that if we are speaking of a friend that is a girl, we would say, "mi amiga" and if the friend is a boy, it would be "amigo". 

Our infant class also enjoyed singing songs with puppets and practicing rolling the ball! 

Over all, our main theme today is how precious our friends are, and we are thankful for each and every one here at Joyful Noise.

Have a safe and joyous New Year!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD 

FOR EXTENDED LEARNING:

1. Who are your friends?

2. Is "amiga" a friend that is a girl or a boy? What about "amigo"?

3. Can you show me something silver and something gold?