Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
Schools often celebrate the 100th day of Kindergarten. Here’s a few ideas from Lynn Kleiner for a counting celebration activity. musicrhapsody.com
After introducing the rhymes using echos, students stand around the parachute, unpitched percussion are placed on the edge of it. When switching instruments, the teacher plays the cowbell as students have 8 beats to walk around the parachute to a new instrument. The teacher uses sopranino improvisation (see Lynn’s training if you don’t know how to play!) or another signal to give some “free play” time.
Use the 100 Days of Counting poem for the A section of a rondo form. Choose instruments, such as rhythm sticks, hand drums, tone blocks, xylophones (remove Fs and Bs) to play on the underlined words. Choose metals, such as triangles, finger cymbals, glockenspiels (set up without Fs and Bs) to play on the X’s.
To simplify, consider the following choices:
-Everyone plays together on the entire rhyme when they think it will sound best
-Everyone plays only on the rests (the Xs)
-Everyone plays on the underlined words
-For additional challenges, have only woods on the underlined words and all others on the Xs. Try other groups of instruments.
One hundred days of count -ing, X
One hundred days of fun, X
One hundred days to sing and play,
Aren’t I the lucky one? X
Play and count 16 beats, then repeat the rhyme.
More counting opportunities:
Play only on the numbers of the following rhymes, using them as a B, C and D section to become a rondo using the rhyme “One hundred days of counting”.
1, 2, 3 4, 5 Once I caught a fish alive
6, 7, 8 9, 10 Then I let him go again
Why did you let him go? Because he bite my finger so
Which finger did he bite? The little finger on the right.
PLAY 8 BEATS ON A COWBELL TO SIGNAL SWITCHING TO A NEW INSTRUMENT, THEN PLAY THE 100 DAYS RHYME AND CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT RHYME, PLAYING ONLY ON THE NUMBERS)
One, two, three musicians, four, five, six musicians
Seven, eight, nine musicians, ten musicians counting. (REPEAT)
(From the Sound Shape Play book by Lynn Kleiner and Christine Stevens)
COWBELL SIGNALS THE INSTRUMENT SWITCH, PERFORM THE 100 Days of COUNTING RHYME AND CONTINUE WITH THE RHYME BELOW.
1, 2, Tie my shoe
3, 4 Point to the door
5, 6, Here’s my sticks
7, 8, Don’t be Late
9, 10 Count again!
(From the Sound Shape Play Book, see additional counting rhymes in this book for drumming and sound shapes! MORE delightful counting songs can be found in Songs of the Sea, Jungle Beat, In All Kinds of Weather)
For the Counting Felt Set and instruments, go to www.musicrhapsody.com/shop
A free digital counting set for SmartBoard or SmartNote Book can be found in Music Box Downloads under Visuals.
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
How about a music vacay this summer? Something that’ll make you fall even more in love with teaching?
Join me for teacher training in Redondo Beach, CA or Newark, NJ!
Only ONE month left! Register by March 15, and the Earliest Bird Special Rate will save you $150 on tuition!
Returning teachers, if you’ve attended online or live training in the past, register now and you’ll save a grand total of $399.
If you aren’t available these dates and can’t make the trip, don’t worry — online training is ready anytime! Music Rhapsody Members, you always have access to online training in your teacher area.
Here’s how teachers are describing their teacher training experience:
It’s not just a song! “Ferdinand” has drama, emotion, adventure, suspense, and joy! This has become a favorite of mine around Valentine’s Day since Ferdinand’s mother is full of love! Order the bestselling book, The Story of Ferdinand, in our Music Rhapsody shop. Music Rhapsody Members, Ferdinand is also part of the Melody Makers lesson plans.
Children are delighted to create the music for Ferdinand and the other bulls; this requires two very different styles! The lesson introduces terms and symbols for piano, forte, and crescendo, as well as suggested sound effects and a song with easy Orff accompaniment.
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
I have seen teachers start way too hard, causing frustration by the students and the teacher. As one of my teachers said K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Silly!) I make a big deal about waiting until I have my turn. I use my body and cowbell to indicate when its my turn (looking like I’m trying to turn around) and when it is their turn to echo (leaning towrads them). I begin with playing on each beat while saying 1, 2, 3, 4. If that is successful, I do again with a louder voice, then a softer voice, then with no voice at all, just playing the 4 beats.
Repeat the same process with saying and playing just 3 beats and thinking the 4th beat is quiet. 1, 2, 3.
Next, try 1, 2, 3&, 4……with the same process.
End by going back to 1. 2. 3. 4
Songs of the Sea book, Lynn Kleiner, has a song called We are Gathered and it includes fish rhythms for echo playing. Have the students make up their own!
www.musicrhapsody.com/shop
Aug 13, 2024 | Puppets, Felts & Other Visuals and Props
There are some great discussions going on in Music Box right now. Classroom management, puppets, gathering drum and more. Get in on the conversation!
And while you’re in the Box, check out FIVE FREE downloads for something special in March, especially St. Patrick’s Day. From preschool to elementary, singing, moving, ukulele, recorder and Orff, I’m sure you’ll want one or download all of them!
Here’s a Puppets With a Purpose video to demonstrate the Power of Puppets in the Music Room.
Members, use your coupon codes in Music Box to receive 10-25% off at the Music Rhapsody Shop.
Just a reminder, whether you are new to training or a returning teacher, you have until March 15 to get the lowest tuition on this summer’s live training.
As always, thanks for your readership, membership, and friendship!
Happy music making!
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
Tired of the snow already? Let’s warm our hearts with some love songs! Music Box is full of Valentine activities for every age level: babies, tots, preschool and elementary too. Just type Valentine in the SEARCH feature to find dances, stories, Orff activities, baby games and more. Need help? Click ASK LYNN!
Now, how do you teach rhythm to that little, crazy ACTIVE, won’t stop moving, after school kindergarten group? Here’s a peek from Rhythm Readers lesson plan 17, playing and moving with the ostinato whole note, then 3 quarters and a rest: Digital Lesson Plans. Move on LOVE, (hold for 4) then Yes I Do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApUVdjSRifM&list=PLcGAMvU2YN-XwhY-UtA-3-7tFCJa2vON3&index=7
Click on the link above the video thumbnail.
