Joyful Noise Music

Week of February 23rd, 2013

RAINBOW SONGS!

The children really enjoyed taking a look at my rainbow instruments today--namely, desk bells and xylophones--and also enjoyed playing/counting the notes in the major scale!

We sang a popular children's tune, "I Can Sing A Rainbow" and we also got some exercise using rainbow streamers! We practiced shaking from left to right, then up and down, and older children had fun making rainbow arcs as well as playing Simon Says!

What a bunch of cute kids we have here at our center (see proof below)! :)

Week of February 19th, 2013

THE MUSIC OF KING SUNNY ADE

Today in music class we explored African juju music and the amazing singing and guitar playing of a REAL LIFE Nigerian (Yoruban) King, King Sunny! Read all about King Sunny's autobiography here:

King Sunny Ade Biography

We started our classes by looking at pictures of King Sunny as well as Africa, traditional Yoruban dress and artifacts from West Africa. We listened to several musical selections (see the Youtube video below) and even had a "copycat" dance party to the songs wherein each child had an opportunity to do a solo dance that would then be copied by everyone in the room!

We also had fun doing the "Beehive" fingerplay! I drew teeny tiny bees on some of the children's fingers (if time allowed) so they could play along! There were many giggles as the bees "came alive"!

BEEHIVE FINGERPLAY

(Lace fingers together so fingers are inside palms)

Here is the beehive

But where are the bees?

Hidden inside where nobody sees!

Now they are starting to come alive
(Begin wiggling fingers)

1-2-3-4-5! (Unlace fingers and wiggle around like flying)

Beautiful Yoruban woman in traditional dress

Looking at pictures of King Sunny!

SOMEBODY started dancing the moment King Sunny came on the radio! :D

"Here is the beehive..."

Week of February 11th, 2013

This member of our two's classroom stopped me to show off his progress on the harp coloring sheet...look at how he was holding the paper!! HAH! Too cute. ;)

THE HARP

It only seemed appropriate with Valentine's Day right around the corner that we explore the gorgeous, celestial qualities of Cupid's favorite instrument, the harp! I started today by showing the children a picture of the harp (check cubbies for the coloring sheet that went home).

We talked about this stringed instrument and how it is often very heavy (up to 90 lbs) and very tall (up to 6 ft. tall!). We also discussed that it takes very strong fingers to pluck and strum the strings, and that harpists do not use their pinky fingers, because the pinky finger is too weak!

Children pretended to strum and pluck the harp and also watched for the red string ("C") and the black string ("F") in the video we watched (see below).

I was excited to share one of my favorite modern singers with students today! Bjork's Valentine appropriate love song "Like Someone In Love" features a talented harpist. I showed this performance to the children in class and infants through four year olds very much enjoyed listening to the harp playing and the singing!

Week of February 4th, 2013

BEANBAG DANCING!

It never gets old! All students had a great time dancing with bean bags today to music. Many giggles ensued as bean bags were tossed, balanced and moved to the rhythm. Beyond large and fine motor control, it was a great opportunity to follow directions and listen as well!

Check out the pictures, lyrics and free download below!

THROW THE BEANBAG AND CATCH

(Listen to the tune in video below!)

Throw the beanbag, and catch!

Turn around, turn around, stomp, stomp, stomp!

Throw the beanbag, and catch!

Turn around, turn around, stomp, stomp, stomp!

Put it on your head and walk around the room!

1-2-3-4

Put it on your head and walk around the room!

1-2-3-4

Continue with other body parts!