In the spirit of spring and all of the gardens to awaken in the next few months, our featured weekly free lesson and recording in Music Box is “Snail and Mouse.” We use this activity with the tots all the way up to our K-1 Orff classes to demonstrate adagio and allegro in creative movement and expressive music making! Expect squeals of joy!
Here’s some favorites from the video “Puppets with a Purpose: Show Me the Bunny!” This video is a great example of how to promote participation, excitement, and imagination using puppets and instruments in the classroom.
TIP: See the children’s part with the tone block at 2:59 and how to make your own at 4:22.
Want these puppets to make their way to your house? Click here to get your very own. Music Box members, don’t forget to use your coupon code to get 10% off listed prices!
Happy spring! Enjoy this playlist of visuals and activity ideas about April showers bringing growth, abundance, and a superbloom of May flowers.
In Case You Missed It
My new Mini Workshop, Tips for Smooth Sailing at Your Ocean Themed Concerts, is now available! Get a myriad of tips & ideas, including props, orchestration ideas, pitch matching activites, and more! Includes so many treasures!
This week, we had the shocking news of the passing of Denise Gagne. Somehow, we thought she would outlive us all, continuing her passion and drive for music for children. Long, long ago, Denise attended a 4 day teacher training course I presented. I was so impressed with her drive to learn more about early childhood music. Over the past 30 plus years, Denise presented at conferences that I also presented for, leading us to go to each other’s sessions, getting together for a meal, sharing ideas and resources, and go on outings in the area. We will all miss her amazing energy but wow, she left music educators with a wealth of wonderful resources.
Here’s a few photos from a conference in Italy (2008) and a great music making event at my home with our dear friend Susie Davies Splitter (2000).
Using Rhymes in the Rain, the sky is the limit for creativity for you and your young students! New visuals/PowerPoints are now available in our Big Kids Make Music curriculum! Not yet a member? Join the fun!
1. Free Exploration: Instruments in C pentatonic, invite the children to lightly play drips and drops gently on the bars, anywhere they they think it would sound good with the songs and rhymes. Don’t forget to add some quiet beats. TIP! If you can’t hear the song, your playing is too loud!
