Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
This week’s blog features some great activities for March music making, including St. Patricks Day and Irish themes. You are certain to find some golden nuggets in this listing for ages 3-10. And there’s more to come next week too!
Talk about Stormy Day! This long time favorite from my first book, Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too, sure came in handy the last few weeks! I never get tired of using my gathering drum for little music makers to hide their scarves and create the sound of rain on the roof, the wind, wipers on the car, hail, thunder and the joy of a sunny day to follow! Here’s a peek at some 2 and 3-year-olds creating the storm using their tambourine.
Eric has reserved extra time for consultations the next week. If you have questions about online or live training or becoming a Music Rhapsody member, feel free to book a time. This is a great time since the Early Bird Rate ends March 15.
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
Farm Songs and the Sounds of Moo-sic is great for a GARDEN theme!
All Around the Gardeners Bench: Easy Orff, an opportunity for solos (pitch matching/singing in tune), a time for props (tinsel for the rain, scarves for the yellow sun, silk flowers or pictures of flowers), movement, singing in Major and Minor keys. Also great for a little drama – act it out!
That’s the Life of a Farmer: Let the unpitched percussion and movement tell the story of how hard the farmer has to work during spring planting! Teachers and students love the Power Point or Smart Board visuals that accompany this activity. You will find this in Lynn Kleiner’s Music Box Downloads in the VISUALS category. Go to https://lynnkleinersmusicbox.com/store
I Plant a Little Seed: I like to extend the solos at the end to include what they grew and what they made with what they grew. For example, “I grew an avocado, I made guacamole.” Or “I grew tomatoes, I made spaghetti.” This song is perfect for easy Orff for your youngest (they can play all the parts together) or older (separate out the parts, choosing specific instruments on specific parts).
John the Rabbit from Music Box Downloads is great for Orff, unpitched percussion, solo singing and recorders. Get music and notes on all these activities for John the Rabbit free to members in lynnkleinersmusicbox.com. Non members can purchase a John the Rabbit activity pack in www.musicrhapsody.com/shop
There is a set of Spring Lessons with many of these favorites and many more. Music Box members: be sure to use your discount code or buy direct in Music Box downloads.
Each of Us is a Flower is perfect for this theme. Get Charlotte Diamond’s CD.
If you want the best garden ever, come to Lynn’s annual summer training or train online anytime!
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Aug 13, 2024 | Spring Music
Spring Music Lesson Plans for preschool and elementary can be found in Music Box by using the Search feature at the top right on the menu bar. Several of my favorites are “All Around the Gardener’s Bench,” and “I Plant a Little Seed,” from Farm Songs and the Sounds of Moo-sic . And as long as we’re singing about dirt, you may want to consider the very popular “Lots of Worms.” Of course, I love using all my puppets and props for these. Here’s a few things I use:
“All Around the Gardener’s Bench,” I use tinsel for the rain. Children can have one or two strands in each hand and you have beautiful rainfall! Rain sticks are also added. Little dancers pop up with yellow scarves for the sun, chimes are played from low to high for a beautiful sunrise. I have “critter” hats and headbands with ears for those who choose to sneak in to eat the flowers. The child playing the farmer wears a bandana and tries to catch the critters. Then he gives up and puts more flower seeds in the ground, repeat and repeat!
“I Plant a Little Seed,” from Farm Songs and the Sounds of Moo-sic needs sun and rain so use the same props as “All Around the Gardener’s bench.” For “Lots of Worms,” I use my body bag, a tight fitting fabric that is hilarious to step into, pull up over head and wiggle like a worm while everyone giggles and squeals with delight. HA. So entertaining! Watch this in Music Box Videos, and see what one of our Music Box friends did for her critter concert. The best worm dancing I’ve seen!
“Who’s That Hatching” and “Mister Sun are classics from In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music.
I hope you can enjoy some sunshine this spring while playing triangles, finger cymbals, glockenspiels with “Mister Sun!”
Books with CDs are at www.musicrhapsody.com
Downloads of printed lessons, music and recordings are at www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com
Questions? Need more ideas? Click Forum, Ask Lynn Questions and I’m happy to help.
Thanks for bringing music to the lives of your students and families.
Happy Spring!
Lynn Kleiner
Aug 13, 2024 | Classroom Management
Kindergarten Music Lessons are so much fun when you have amazing lesson plans AND you know the tricks for smooth transitions, classroom management and engagement techniques for all (or hopefully at least most!) of the students. I have taught this age group for a very long time and still love to be in the music room with kindergarten and also the Pre-K music classes….well, that is, if I’m prepared with my Music Rhapsody lesson plans, using the “WHAT’S NEEDED” to be sure my set up is ready to go..
Variety, unpredictable, surprises, flexible..these are words that describe the lessons. Listening and looking for the children’s input, looking for those moments to show a child he has great ideas, she is influencing the music making, we are all music makers.
Unique cues, both visual and aural cues are used in a way that’s interesting for the students, not just the music teacher talking, talking, explaining, saying directions, talking ABOUT music, blah blah blah…. like they hear from “regular” teachers all day long. The music teacher is something special! We don’t need all this talking in the musical environment we are trying to create. The music teacher uses interesting sounds (tongue clicking, snapping, clapping, etc.) or instruments (tick tock block, cymbals, cowbell, etc) to signal what to do! An article in Music Box, The Young At the Bars (Orff Instruments!), lists the sounds (instruments or body percussion and vocal sounds) that signal putting the mallets down, moving to a different row or area of instruments, when its “free play” opportunities and repeating specific rhythmic or melodic phrases (echos). Singing directions are also much more fun and interesting for a group who hears mostly TALK. I have lots of transition songs (especially check out “Colors Are Gliding” for putting away scarves) in my book, Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too!
In the back of my books, I include suggestions for making lesson visuals. There’s also a category in Music Box called “Teaching Visuals.” I highly recommend printing these out in color on card stock, laminate and use year after year. Showing a visual that’s unexpected or interesting will grab the attention of students who are visual learners and are attracted to visual stimulation. Add to the fun with the homemade puppets or invest in the recommended puppets that are discussed in my books and lesson plans. Using puppets following my suggestions (check out “Lynn Kleiner’s Puppets with a Purpose” on YouTube or in Music Box videos), will guarantee you more participation and focus.
NO TEACHER SPOT! The teacher moves all over the music room, sitting between the children who were talking, standing next to the child who was gazing out the window, moving towards the child who was pushing, while all along continuing the flow and excitement of the lesson. DO NOT BE PREDICTABLE. Instead of saying what not to do, guide the children to participate in your beautiful lesson that’s full of moving, playing, storytelling, and so much fun!
If you are new to teaching early childhood (infants – age 8), check out these training opportunities this summer or online anytime. Detailed lesson plans, videos, recordings available too.
Questions? Sign up for a free consultation!
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
Songs of the Sea will be something very SPECIAL with smooth sailing for all when you incorporate some of these exciting items!
Song Resources: Songs of the Sea Book/CD, In All Kinds of Weather Book/CD, Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too Book/CD
PROPS! Don’t forget all our colorful fun props! Consider using pom poms for The Waves
Or use the Stretchy Band for The Ship Goes Sailing on the Sea (from In All Kinds of Weather). Also from in All Kinds of Weather, use it with Five Handsome Sailors. These could also be fun with the parachute.
Our movement activities introduce musical concepts as it improves language development, and stimulates the vestibular system as it improves timing and coordination. Ten Fish in the Sea (Movement)
Orff with stories and puppets is always a hit with our 3-7 year olds. Everyone loves Larry
Hula Hoops – Going Over the Sea
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Balloons– En Bateau – use the parachute to sail the balloon or each parent and child can sail them back and forth while listening to this beautiful piece of music, such a great one to introduce to your families from our Songs of the Sea CD.
Consider Streamers instead of scarves and pretend you are dancing like an octopus for Ten Fish in the Sea.
Dancing Fish, turtles or Larry the Lobster are fun on top of the gathering drum and Echo Friends with FISH finger puppets can follow Ten Fish in the Sea is awesome with our little fish puppets. Don’t forget to let them dance on the gathering drum, hide underneath for the “low” verse and get up and run around the drum for swam in a circle! SPANISH version is on the Spanish Music Rhapsody CD!
Sandy Sand: Don’t shake until “Shake, shake, shake, shake it off now. Use shaker as a microphone and place shaker on every body part where there is sand. For example, place shaker on head after hearing “you’ve got sand on your head.”
Scuba Man AND the TREASURE BOX (for older classes) – be sure the children bend their knees to go gradually down as the singing goes down and go gradually up as singing goes back up. For older kids, let them choose something from the treasure box a few times during the summer – encouraging them to come back since when we sing Scuba Man, they may find a treasure they want to keep!
Fish finger puppets and big sea life puppets, www.musicrhapsody.com/shop, should be enjoyed for the beloved Larry the Lobster, Ten Fish in the Sea, and the rhymes from the Songs of the Sea book.
STORIES! For older kids, Froggy Learns To Swim is a great summer story. The detailed lesson plan with song, including suggestions for instrument parts and Orff, is available from Lynn Kleiner’s Music Box.
OCEAN DRUMS! Music Rhapsody will order whatever size you need: small, medium and LARGE! Slow tipping then turning is the key to the beautiful sound of waves you can produce with this unique drum. Enjoy for an accompaniment while singing Scuba Man, play along on some of the Sea Songs from our Songs of the Sea CD, or while you sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Looking for my Ocean Lesson Plan Pack? You can get it here!
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Aug 13, 2024 | Classroom Materials
A couple weeks away from Thanksgiving and getting into festive fowl season – time to stock up on your turkeys and ducks!!
Watch my rhythm readers class perform their rendition of “Turkey Feathers,” from the Farm Song and the Sounds of Moo-sic book and CD. We did this lesson with scarves, but your solo-singing activity would be extra-fun with the colorful felt set lesson!
Get the beautifully hand made felt set to go along with this lesson (from rhythm readers lessons 5-10 Fall plans as well as preschool and many SMR plans) at https://www.musicrhapsody.com/Turkey-Feathers/
and of course the Turkey and Duck puppets for “Turkeys and Ducks,” “Shoo Turkey,” “Turkey Feathers,” “Bought me a Cat,” “Brown’s Cow,” and more! https://www.musicrhapsody.com/Large-Turkey/ and https://www.musicrhapsody.com/Small-Duck/
Call (310) 376-8646 or e-mail jj@musicrhapsody.com to make an order.
P.S. Don’t forget to mention your MB member discount!!
www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com
Aug 13, 2024 | Orff Lesson Plans
Orff pieces have been requested to the Mountain theme concert lesson plans found in Downloads in Lynn Kleiner’s Music Box.
The concert plan includes songs for small percussion, scarves, movement but some have requested Orff accompanied songs. Since the request comes from someone who is doing one of Music Box’s Hello songs in the key of C, I suggest making that an Orff piece with one class playing the Orff instruments to accompany as the other classes enter with unpitched percussion instruments. See the concert plan for ideas what each class will play as they enter. Let us Chase the Squirrel with the added poem with rhythm is in the book, My Trip to the Mountains on page 41. – Another C pentatonic possibility that the children will enjoy and can play Orff and unpitched instruments is Peanut Butter and Jelly, page 34. The same class can stay at the Orff instruments for all 3 songs or transition to another class for each song while singing “The Bear Went over the Mountain” and end with a solo “Bear” singing what he sees to introduce the next song.
Then, If you need more Orff pieces, during the singing of songs with hand motions or simple props, have assistants take out the Es and replace with Fs. Now the instruments will be in F pentatonic for Rocky Mountain page 50 and Going on a Picnic, page 34.
If you have purchased the Mountain Lesson Plans and would like the concert chart including Orff pieces, contact Lynn in Music Box and she will send you a plan to include this.
www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com
Aug 13, 2024 | Spring Music
Spring Music Lesson Plans for preschool and elementary can be found in Music Box by using the Search feature at the top right on the menu bar. Several of my favorites are “All Around the Gardener’s Bench,” and “I Plant a Little Seed,” from Farm Songs and the Sounds of Moo-sic . And as long as we’re singing about dirt, you may want to consider the very popular “Lots of Worms.” Of course, I love using all my puppets and props for these. Here’s a few things I use:
“All Around the Gardener’s Bench,” I use tinsel for the rain. Children can have one or two strands in each hand and you have beautiful rainfall! Rain sticks are also added. Little dancers pop up with yellow scarves for the sun, chimes are played from low to high for a beautiful sunrise. I have “critter” hats and headbands with ears for those who choose to sneak in to eat the flowers. The child playing the farmer wears a bandana and tries to catch the critters. Then he gives up and puts more flower seeds in the ground, repeat and repeat!
“I Plant a Little Seed,” from Farm Songs and the Sounds of Moo-sic needs sun and rain so use the same props as “All Around the Gardener’s bench.” For “Lots of Worms,” I use my body bag, a tight fitting fabric that is hilarious to step into, pull up over head and wiggle like a worm while everyone giggles and squeals with delight. HA. So entertaining! Watch this in Music Box Videos, and see what one of our Music Box friends did for her critter concert. The best worm dancing I’ve seen!
“Who’s That Hatching” and “Mister Sun are classics from In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music.
I hope you can enjoy some sunshine this spring while playing triangles, finger cymbals, glockenspiels with “Mister Sun!”
Books with CDs are at www.musicrhapsody.com
Downloads of printed lessons, music and recordings are at www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com
Questions? Need more ideas? Click Forum, Ask Lynn Questions and I’m happy to help.
Thanks for bringing music to the lives of your students and families.
Happy Spring!
Lynn Kleiner
Feb 26, 2019
Professional Development For Music Teachers Professional Development For Early Childhood & Elementary Music Teachers Inspirational. Interactive. Dynamic and Just Plain Fun. Sale! Professional Development Course With Internationally Renowned Music Educator Lynn...
Apr 27, 2016
Become a member of Lynn Kleiner’s Music Box and receive “The Story of Ferdinand” for free!
The story of Ferdinand shares a message of peace and contentment. 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.
Source: Story book by Muno Leaf. Drawings by Robert Lawson Lesson and Song by Lynn Kleiner. Optional “parade dance” from Kids Can Listen, Kids Can Move book and CD
Page Count: 8
Age Group: Ages 3 – 8
Number of Lessons: Shown as one lesson, this can be presented over 2-4 lessons.
Tip from Lynn: This has become a favorite of mine around Valentine’s Day since Ferdinand’s mother is full of love! I use red scarves, the red Ferdinand book, and a soft, red bull toy.
For the related story book, see The Story of Ferdinand
Download link will be available on invoice. Just click on the title.
Jul 18, 2014
Preschool Classes Weekly Music Classes For LA & Orange County Preschools The Music Rhapsody preschool program offers your school much more than just a singer with a guitar. Music Rhapsody’s trained teachers will instruct and interact with the children using...
Jul 18, 2014
Infant & Toddler Classes Weekly Infant & Toddler Classes For Daycares In LA & Orange Counties Music Rhapsody’s Mommy & Me infant and toddler classes are a great way to incorporate music education into a school’s early childhood program. Classes are...
Jun 22, 2010
A tradition in the fall for our classes, use these bright felt leaves in 5 different colors for Five little leaves, In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music Book page 18 and CD. The Lynn Kleiner glockenspiels and xylophone add a wonderful accompaniment and colored scarves are a must!
Mar 27, 2010
22 Scarves set – Multiple Colors
Great for creative movement and dance! Sure to bring smiles to all ages! Each scarf is 26″ square, nylon material and washable. See-through fabric makes this especially fun for young children! For creative music activities for the scarf, see the Kids Make Music Too! DVD!
Mar 25, 2010
Backpack contains:
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- Babies / Toddlers Instrument Kit with or without DVD
- Maraca: Perfect for little hands, this small and durable maraca has a crisp clean sound that all little ones will love! Safety tested for babies making music!
- Colorful Scarf: Great for creative movement and dance sure to bring smiles to all ages! See through fabric makes this especially fun for little ones!
- Baby Tot Drum: Sure to be great fun as little ones “beat” this durable and colorful rainbow covered drum with handle. Short rainbow mallet too! It may be small but the quality is the same Remo quality that the big musicians play!
- Baby Tot Bell: Securely attached large silver bell with cage and easy-to-grip handle. Is great for small hands and will jingle with every shake!
Mar 25, 2010
Yellow-Trimmed backpack contains:
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- Young Musicians Instrument Kit with or without DVD
- Finger Cymbals: These smooth, finger cymbals are safe enough for babies yet have the sound that professionals want! The handles can’t pull out!
- Guiro Tone Block: With mallet, this thick tone block is made of selected hardwood with a natural finish. Scratch the ribs or strike with mallet for two completely different sounds kids will love.
- Shaker Egg: Perfect for little hands, this easy to hold shaker produces a crisp, rhythmic sound. A little heavier than most shaker eggs, one reason why it’s the best!
- Colorful Scarf: Great for creative movement and dance sure to bring smiles to all ages! See through fabric makes this especially fun for young children!
- Lynn Kleiner Hand Drum by REMO: With rainbow mallet, this high-quality durable drum makes it possible to create all kinds of sounds! This is no toy but a first class instrument! Kids love the look and sound of this shiny unique drum.
