Week of February 10th, 2014

I drew "babies" on four year olds fingertips today as we did a fun fingerplay song--see the lyrics below!

PATTERNS IN MUSIC!

Today we explored the ever present "pattern" in music rhythms and songs! Using several different phrases, musical sounds and body rhythms, we explored the association between patterns in music. I also displayed this visually to children using magnet pieces I made with red circles, blue squares and green triangles.  (See the videos and pictures below for a snippet of how we used them!)  Each symbol had a rhythm associated with it; red circles were "1", blue squares were "2" and triangles were "cha". Our students explored some of these rhythms with castanets (the infants enjoyed using them, as well!)

We put them together to make: "ONE-TWO-CHA-CHA-CHA" and other great rhythms!

Even our younger children, such as the twos, were ever so clever reading the musical symbol patterns (make sure to see them in action in a video below). Four year olds did this as well as partner work to create their OWN patterns with a friend using teamwork.

We also enjoyed a few new songs: "Clap your hands, Little Sally" (which I went around the circle with, changing the tune to each child's name) and  a body rhythm song about a helpful little boy who came to the aid of both of his parents called "Terry". This also included a pattern of running feet, walking feet, and still feet.

Check out the questions below to engage your child in extended learning as well as recall! We also enjoyed a fun finger play about a baby taking a nap...check out the actions and lyrics below!

HERE IS A BABY

Here is a baby
Ready for a nap
Lay her down in her mother's lap
Cover her up so she won't peep
And rock her till she's sound asleep.

We substituted "her" for "him" when appropriate and also switched things up, including both mommies and daddies! See the 2 year old video below to see how I sang this song to each individual child.

*WHY I CHOOSE A SELECTION OF "INDIVIDUALIZED" SONGS TO SING TO YOUR CHILD:

Part of my mission in music is to create a connection with each and every child. I do this by making songs as individualized and personalized as I can, as often as possible. Many times I open or close class with songs that give me an opportunity to have a special one-on-one musical connection with each child.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD: 

1. What sound did the "green triangle" symbol make today in music class? (Cha)

2. What did Terry help his parents do? 
(Terry helped his parents around the house--he helped his mother with the dishes and sweeping the floor and his father with the garden, running errands and cleaning the basement--plus more! What a helpful guy!)

3. (For four year olds only) Who was your partner today for music class? Who did you make rhythms with?

Week of February 3rd, 2014

TAMBOURINES!!!

We worked our rhythm knowledge and skills today as we practiced playing on the beat (quarter notes or "tahs" and rests, as well!) and using different techniques with the tambourines: tapping, shaking, and even playing just the cymbals.  The kids did a great job using the instrument and also very much enjoyed a little nursery rhyme/action song, "Acka Backa"! Click on the video below to watch the infant room participating with me. I tailored the song for each age group (depending on how large they were!) so some children were held up, others jumped up, and some sat at the tables while I held their arms up. At the end of the tune, I hugged each child and said, "Acka Backa Soda Cracker, I love you."

It was amazing to see how much the kids really cherished the small moment of individual connection and though we as caregivers and parents strive to communicate our love and concern for the children on a daily basis, it only takes about twenty seconds to engage in a way that makes both parties feel great and builds a lasting connection.

ACKA BACKA

Acka backa soda cracker,

Acka backa boo.

Acka backa soda cracker, 

Up goes you! (Hold your child up in the air!)

Acka backa soda cracker, 

Acka backa boo. 

Acka backa soda cracker,

I love you! (Hug your child close!)

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD TODAY:

1. What color was your tambourine?

2. Can you clap a beat?

Week of August 12th, 2013

FLUTES!

We studied flutes today! From the top, we have an alto flute, soprano flute, and piccolo--all of which we observed and listened to today!

The kids enjoyed hearing the different pitches and sounds that the flutes produced, and we played a guessing game with some contemporary music arrangements of Phineas and Ferb, Toy Story, and more! 

We also played a fun listening game where the children corresponded their movements with the sounds from the flute--a "Jaws" theme like tune where we crawled like a shark on the ground, a fun trill that made us wiggle our bodies like crazy, and some short staccato notes for bunny hops! Check out the video below to watch the four year old class moving with the flute to the corresponding sound.