Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
A few props can add so much to your Holiday Concert. Whether its inviting parents to the classroom for some songs or having the kids up on stage, adding just one “theme” item will bump up the “Ah, so precious” factor. It will make for some adorable photos too! Here’s a few ideas:
- Wear a gold “Halo” made out of garland for the “Angel Band,” make white ones for the “Snow Songs”
- Hold a little gingerbread man for the “Musical Gingerbread” (See last weeks Newsletter)
- Hold a star for the “Star Medley”
- Wear a winter scarf or hat for the snowmen songs
- Santa hats are always festive for the Santa songs
- A Bell Necklace or holding the green strap jingle bells for the “Jingle Bell Medley”
- Have the children make their own holiday head band, perhaps sponge white paint on dark blue or glue foam snowflakes on it for their Snow song
Check out this video to see the sweet props and costumes used for our “Toy Maker’s Clowns” (This video is only available in Music Box) The “Toy Maker’s Clowns” script can be found for FREE in Music Box Downloads.
You can search for songs and props in the SEARCH feature in Music Box. If you don’t find what you need, just click “Ask Lynn!“
See you in the box!
Lynn
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
I had a request for a Chanukah song. “Take a Potato” is one of my favorite. Get out your gathering drum or hand drums and play on the repeated words, then RUMBLE (tremolo) on the “Oh!” You can also use this for a drum or percussion circle. Free play on the song, play together on the 3 repeated words and on “Oh!” everyone moves to a new instrument. So much fun! Percussion Circle Reminders: Set out many more instruments than the number of children and have them laying on the edge of the parachute to maintain order when its time to switch.
For Music Box Members only, the lively recording of the Chanukah song, Take a Potato, is a big hit for babies to grade one. (Not yet a member? Sign Up and join the fun!)
The entire album, Cha Cha Chanukah by the Shirettes, is wonderful.
Also for Chanukah, and FREE this week in Music Box Downloads is I Have a Little Dreidel for your elementary classes, including an Orff Orchestration. And one more FREE one for you this week in the box is March from the Nutcracker. Enjoy a look at the students having fun with percussion and movement.
There are several holiday/winter downloads featured on the top of the home page of Music Box. Check out the festive activities to use once those holiday shows are done.
Aug 13, 2024 | Orff Teaching - Special Moments
With the felt board, How do you get something you have laminated to stick to the felt board? I asked a craft store today and they said Velcro, but I think it would tear up the board.
thank you
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
A penguin theme is adorable for music lessons in the winter or at a holiday camp. I found these precious penguins at one of the online discount stores and purchased a class set. At my Music Rhapsody studio, children each received one as a holiday gift but then used it for our winter lessons.
No penguins? You certainly don’t need them to act out this story. First, let’s warm up our voices by sliding like the penguin, up and down the hill. Next, we learn the song “Little Penguin” and learn the Orff accompaniment. An additional song “Sleep Penguin Sleep” can be added, then we hear the delightful story of “Little Penguin’s Tale” by Audrey Wood.
Lesson plan, songs with Orff orchestration, optional part for beginning recorder is FREE in Music Box Downloads.
You can also purchase it in the Music Rhapsody Shop.
Watch children, ages 4-8, acting out the story at a holiday camp.
Here’s a long time favorite I use for Movement and Penguin Pitch Matching. Have the penguin’s sing to each other using the Hello Echo Song. Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too Page 42. Encourage the children to find penguin friends to match pitches as they sing “Hello” to each other. Have the children stand on paper plates (the thin, cheapest kind are the best). This wonderful recording is FREE in Music Box Downloads.
Have a listen to the song HERE
There are many more winter songs, stories and lessons in Music Box!
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
We are having so much fun with our little winter penguin friend. This is our annual gift to our students. Here’s a few of the activities we’re doing with our holiday friend this week.
Read my blog about winter music lessons for preschool, kindergarten – elementary, “A Penguin Theme”.
What? No penguins? A penguin picture on card stock glued to a craft stick will work!
Now enjoy a glimpse from this video of Music Rhapsody’s penguin story at a past winter break camp. Great for kindergarten – grade 3 students.
