CREATIVE MUSIC CLASSROOMS with THOM BORDEN

MELODY - SOLFA MATCH-UPS

2012-02-11T06:03:00.001-08:00

Take foam hearts and cut them into 2 equal pieces. On one set of halves, write the solfa letters that you are working with. For example, in GR 1 you might only use so and mi. In GR 3, you might want to use do, re, and mi. On the other sets of halves, write the absolute letter names. Have children match up the solfa letter to the corresponding absolute letter.

The challenge will be in the class ability to "change keys." If you tell them that do is G, then mi is B, re is A and do is G. However, if you tell them that do is C, then they must be able to change their match-ups to reflect the new key.

I use the solfa letters for the keys of C, F and G since pentatonic scales won't include any sharps or flats. However, you can certainly add more challenging keys for upper grade levels. You can also color code your hearts to make them easier to identify when choose "sets" of match-ups (i.e. GR 1 is Green, GR 2 is yellow, etc.). Once children have completed the match-ups correctly, have them PLAY their solfa patters on Orff instruments or recorder (whichever fits or is appropriate for the age).

STEADY BEAT

2012-02-04T10:16:00.001-08:00

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2012-01-28T18:28:00.001-08:00

10 Little Penguins
Written and Illustrated by Kate Toms
ISBN: 978-01-84879-741-3

This charming counting book can be sung to the familiar melody of "Ten Little Elephants."

With a little adaptation, you can also sing the words of the story to "Ten in the Bed." However, once you get to the "... roll over" portion of the song, sing the number of penguins remaining. For example, after penguin number 10 leaves, sing "9 penguins, 9 penguins.

Enjoy the story and keep singing!

MELODY - SOLFEGE LITERACY

2012-01-21T04:47:00.003-08:00

On January 7 2012, we created winter solfege blocks. This week, I wanted to use them in another activity. For this activity, you will need to paint and letter another block (I painted mine a bright winter blue). After the block is painted and dry, write a single letter (C, D, E, F and G) on each side. You may wish to seal this block with a clear varnish before using. Children will be using this block to roll and determine the "key" in which they create their melody.

Create a large piece of staff paper - large enough for the solfege blocks to either fit between lines of on a line. Have the children roll the white winter solfege dice to create a solfege melody. Then roll the "blue" die to determine the key or home tone. To make it easier, you may wish to use only d, r, m, s, and l solfege dice. Once the key or home tone has been rolled (the blue dice), children must place the solfege blocks on the staff paper and sing their melody. There are no specific rhythm patterns as children will simply be singing the solfege blocks on absolute pitch.

For an assessment, have the children write their "melody" on personal pages of staff paper that can be reviewed after class. Although they are simply copying the block patterns to paper, this will give you time to assess which children can associate the solfege pitch on the staff.

STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM ICE CUBES

2012-01-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

For this game, you will need to purchase "Don't Break the Ice" game. They can be found at Target and Walmart and usually run $5. When you look at the game, you will see that there is a large blue border that you place white cubes into, filling the frame with "ice cubes." The object of the game is to tap on an individual ice cube, knocking it out, while not disturbing other cubes that are held into place due to the tightness of the frame. The "loser" of the game is the person that taps an ice cube an causes all of the cubes to fall out of the frame. Reset the cubes and play again.

So -- let's make it musical. I wanted to work on my sixteenth-note patterns, so using a permanent marker or label maker, write sixteenth-note patterns, eighth-note patterns, and even quarter-note and other rhythmic patterns on each cube. Just remember that you need rhythm patterns that have been presented to the children. Do NOT include rests -- as each time a cube is knocked out of the frame, that empty space become 1 beat of rest.

Place all of the rhythm cubes into the frame and begin playing. Start the game by having children in the playing group (you may want to make 4 or 6 of these games so that your playing groups are 4-6 children) say, say/play, play the complete rhythm patterns on the cubes. After they complete reading the patten, have player 1 tap out a cube, that player will then have to read/play the new pattern as a rest was created when the cube fell out of the frame. Keep going around the circle, as each player taps out a cube and reads/performs the new pattern. The game continues until someone taps a cube causing the entire frame of ice cubes to fall out. Reset the cubes and the game starts again.

Extension: The game could be extended to lower or higher levels by purchasing additional sets of the game (as they are only $5) to create different ice cube pattern sets.

MELODY - ICE BLOCK SOLFEGE

2012-01-07T03:55:00.000-08:00

Paint 16 wooden blocks white and let them dry. I prefer the 2" size over other options. Once dry, add solfege letters on the blocks. This is determined by the group that you would like to use the blocks with. Have the children roll the blocks to create a 4 4-beat melody. Add a simply winter song as an "A" sectino and invite children to sing their melody to create a rondo activity. When I am finished with my blocks, I simply place them on the shelf and place my penguin puppet on top!

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-12-31T09:09:00.001-08:00

Ten on the Sled
Written by Kim Norman
Illustrated by Liza Woodruff
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7076-0

The adorable winter story can be easily sung to the melody of "Ten in the Bed" with little adaptation.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

STEADY BEAT

2011-12-24T20:01:00.001-08:00

MELODY

2011-12-17T07:48:00.001-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-12-10T08:57:00.001-08:00

MELODY

2011-12-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-11-26T11:12:00.001-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-11-19T21:25:00.001-08:00

MELODY

2011-11-12T03:33:00.003-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-11-05T04:02:00.001-07:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

The Scarecrow's Dance
Written by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3770-8

This beautifully illustrated story tells the tale of a scarecrow who slips off his post one evening to frolic around the farm. The story does include a strong inspirational message as the scarecrow observes a small boys prayers, but these pages can be omitted in sharing if necessary.

The story is told in rhyme and can be sung to an adapted melody of "Ghost of John." Read through the book a few times as there are a few adjustments in the rhythm pattern of the words that will be needed to sing to the familiar melody. Sing the first 4-line stanza to the words, "Have you seen the ghost of John? Long white bones with the skin all on." The "oooo" pattern from "Ghost of John" is still included as it connects the first and second 4-line stanza on each page. The second 4-line stanza is sung to the melody pattern of "wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on." This last melody line of "Ghost of John" must be sung twice so that the second 4-line stanza can be sung.

Here is the Amazon link for this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Scarecrows-Dance-Jane-Yolen/dp/1416937706/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320166348&sr=8-1

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY

2011-10-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

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STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM BLOCKS

2011-10-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

Create rhythm blocks to use with children's book, I'm Coming to Get You by Tony Ross. Each time the monster shouts, "I'm coming to get you!" children roll out the blocks and say/play the rhythms. These blocks should include simply one-beat words "I will get you" and 4 quarter rests to reinforce ta rest.

MELODY - MELODY BLOCKS

2011-10-08T04:39:00.000-07:00

This week, I want to focus on new-note do. I also wanted an manipulative that I could use in upper grades to reinforce chord structure. Purchase wooden blocks at your local craft store. The 1" size are probably the best to work with. Some craft stores sell them in bags of 12 or 24.

For primary grades, write do, mi, and sol on the side of the cubes 2 times -- this will give you a pitch on all 6 sides of the cube. Have chidlren create simple melody lines to create an interlude to familiar Level 1 singing games to reinforce new-note do.

For upper grades, write do, re, mi, fa, sol and la on each side of the cube. Ask children to create a simple 4-beat or 8-beat measure with the blocks. Reinfoce Tonic (I) chords by asking children stack the cubes 3 high to create chords on all do blocks. Challenge chidlren to play their melodies. Use a dulcimer or autoharp to play the I chord when it is found in the melody.

STEADY BEAT

2011-10-01T03:25:00.000-07:00

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-09-24T05:00:00.001-07:00

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MELODY

2011-09-17T05:19:00.001-07:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-09-10T07:47:00.001-07:00

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MELODY

2011-09-03T06:58:00.001-07:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-08-27T08:43:00.001-07:00

STEADY BEAT

2011-08-20T12:12:00.001-07:00

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MELODY

2011-08-14T13:27:00.001-07:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-08-06T17:33:00.001-07:00

Welcome back! I hope to have a great new ideas for your classroom posted shortly.

NEW IDEAS COMING SOON -- AUGUST 2011

2011-06-18T09:24:00.001-07:00

Be sure to come back to visit soon! I will be posting all new ideas beginning August 2011. Until then, have a safe and restful summer.

STEADY BEAT

2011-06-11T20:57:00.001-07:00

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MELODY

2011-06-04T23:04:00.001-07:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-05-28T15:22:00.003-07:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-05-21T20:08:00.001-07:00

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MELODY

2011-05-14T11:57:00.001-07:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-05-07T08:44:00.001-07:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-04-30T12:08:00.001-07:00

The Night Before Summer Vacation
Written by Natasha Wing
Illustrated by Julie Durrell
ISBN: 978-0448-42830-7
This book is a wonderful story about the excitement and wonderful traditions associated with summer and the end of school. Each page includes a 4-line verse that can be adaptedly sung to the tune of the familiar folk melody "Cindy." Read through the story once before sharing with the class as the rhythm of words may need to be slightly adjusted to fit the familiar tune.

In the traditional refrain, "Get along home, Cindy, Cindy," invite the children to sing the following summer refrain:

Summer Time! Summer Time!
Summer Time! I love the summer time!

There is also another title -- "The Night Before Summer Camp" that children may enjoy reading as well. Change the response to "Summer Camp! Summer Camp! Summer Camp! I love summer camp!"

Finally, the book selection can also be sung to the melody of the folk song "Clementine."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY

2011-04-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

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STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM EGGS

2011-04-16T21:45:00.001-07:00

Let's expand the Easter Egg experience from last week. This week, take the eggs and add quarter notes and eighth notes to each egg. Place the eggs in the basket. As you read the story 10 Easter Egg Hunters, children will pull one egg out of the basket after each 4-line stanza and clap the rhythm pattern found on the egg after reading the repeated phrase "___ egg." Each time another egg is found, an additional beat is added to the response. For example, after the third egg is read, the children respond, "Three eggs," and then play the 3 beats found on the eggs.

Extension: Have the children play the rhythm colors of the eggs pictured in the story after each stanza. For instance, after the first egg is found, the picture shows a green egg. The children would respond, "One egg. Green." After the second egg is found, they respond, "Two eggs. Green! Blue!" The game continues as additional eggs are found and the response continues to grow sequentially.

MELODY - SOLFEGE EGGS

2011-04-09T13:04:00.001-07:00

With Easter just around the corner, I thought it might be fun to provide another activity using all of those wonderful, "what do I do with them?" plastic easter eggs. This is a simple activity, in that you simply purchase a bag of the plastic easter eggs and seperate the tops and bottoms.

Use a file folder and place tape lines (only 1 line for sol-mi activities) to represent the staff. Have students create a B Section to an Easter or Spring song. As children sing the song (A Section), move the eagg tops and bottoms above or below the line to create a sol-mi melody.

Extension 1: Use more tape lines to create advanced B Section options. For example, 2 lines could be used for mi-re-do activities. I usually only use 1-line, 3-line and 5-line file folders.

Extension 2: Use file folders and mini-eggs to create learning center activities. Place the file folders (with tape lines) and mini-eggs in a learning center. Have a collection of sentence strips cut to 6". On each of the sentence strips, write solfege patterns using letters. Example - s-m-l or s-m-d or d-r-m. Have the children work in groups of 2. Student 1 will draw a card and place the mini-eggs on the file folder lines. Student 2 will sing the solfege pattern created with the mini-eggs. Student 1 can assess Student 2 as the child's singing should match the sentence strip card.

STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM CARROTS

2011-04-02T13:15:00.003-07:00

With Easter around the corner, I thought that an assessment of rhythm skills and time signature with a fun Easter theme might be engaging. Purchase affordable Easter baskets, plastic or wooden carrots, and a wooded box at your local craft store. If you can't find wooden carrots, use empty seed packets after you have planted carrots in your garden. :) I found felt baskets at Michael's for $1 each in a variety of colors. You will also need sentence strip pieces (mine are 6") so that children can write the rhythm patterns they create to turn in at the end of the activity.

The wooden box will become your "garden" area. Paint the wooden carrots and write a different rhythmic pattern on each carrot -- each carrot should equal 1 beat. Example - 1 quarter note, 2 eighth notes. Place the carrots in the "garden" box. Affix time signatures on each basket. Have children place carrots in each basket. The rhythms of the carrots must add up to equal the number of beats indicated in the time signature. For example, the basket with a time signature of 3/4 would have 3 carrots with a quarter note on each or 2 carrots with quarter notes on each and one carrot with 2 eighth notes.

After carrots have been put into the baskets, have children write the rhythm patterns in each basket on an assessment "menu" for their carrot dinner special. This will have them writing rhythms and give you an opportunity to collect and assess their understanding of time signature.

Extension: Add more complex rhythms for upper grades. Change time signatures on baskets for more rhythm experiences.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-03-26T17:56:00.001-07:00

If You're Hoppy
Written by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic

This is a wonderful Easter adaptation of "If You're Happy and You Know It." But watch out, you may find yourself happy as a bird, a frog, a cricket, or dog - or even a bunny!

Enjoy the story and keep singing!

MELODY

2011-03-19T18:05:00.001-07:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-03-12T05:32:00.001-08:00

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MELODY

2011-03-05T05:16:00.001-08:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-02-26T04:52:00.001-08:00

It's St. Patrick's Day!
Written by Rebecca Gomez
Illustrated by Mary Morgan
ISBN: 978-0-439-44160-5

Read the story (each verse told in rhyme) to the children inviting them to repeat the 1st phrase twice at the end of each 4-phrase passage. Example: "It's St. Patrick's Day!" (clap clap - 2 eighth notes) - "It's St. Patrick's Day!" (clap - quarter note)

The second time the story is retold, it can be sung to the melody of "The Grand Old Duke of York." Add a simple rhythmic ostinato pattern after 2 4-phrase passages.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

STEADY BEAT

2011-02-19T07:20:00.001-08:00

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MELODY

2011-02-12T12:16:00.001-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2011-02-05T08:59:00.001-08:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2011-01-29T06:34:00.000-08:00

Ten Grouchy Groundhogs
Written by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
Illustrated by Jay Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-545-13414-9

Read the story (each verse told in rhyme) to the children inviting them to repeat the 4th phrase with a patting and clapping response (see Blog Activity 1-22-11). The second time the story is retold, it can be sung to the melody of "One Little Elephant."

When each groundhog has left the den, and you have read or sung "out, out, out!", have the childen repeat "out, out, out!" on a s-m-d pattern. Use solfege buttons to cue the children.

Extension: Once the children are able to sing s-m-d on cue, change the solfege response to create different melody pattern responses each time.
The story can also be sung to the melody of "Twinkle, Twinkle" and adapted to "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY - SOLFEGE T-SHIRTS - PREPARING 'DO'

2011-01-22T05:23:00.001-08:00

I purchased T-shirt patterns from my local teacher store -- though you will need only 10 t-shirt patterns. On each of the t-shirt patterns I wrote a 3-note s-m-d pattern. Be careful to space them apart so that you don't create a chord triad. Laminate and place magnets on the back of each t-shirt pattern.

At this time of year, I like using the story "Ten Grouchy Groundhogs," because it is a great retelling of "Ten in the Bed." Each groundhog is represented in an 8-line stanza (or 2 4-line stanzas). The first 4-line stanza ends with "then...then...then" while the second 4-line stanza ends with "out, out, out!" After reading all four lines of the first stanza, invite the children to repeat the 4th line "then...then...then" while playing a pat-pat-pat on their legs to what the words say. After reading all four lines of the second stanza, invite the children to repeat the 4th line "out, out, out!" while playing a clap-clap-clap pattern to what the words say.

To prepare an opporunity to read s-m-d patterns, I created an additional poem. The following poem is spoken after each groundhog leaves the den:

"So up, up, up the ladder
It didn't take too long
To see the light of the noon-day sun
and the T-shirt melody song."

Then using the familiar tune to the words, ". . . shave and a haircut, two bits" -- have the children sing "Let's hang the t-shirt . . . on the line." After singing this little melody, have children sing the s-m-d pattern they see of the t-shirt added to the clothes line. (Of course you can remind the children that the t-shirts are hanging on the line because they were washed after the little groundhog climbed up the ladder out of the den through the roots, vines, and dirt.) As you add more t-shirts to the line, you will create longer s-m-d patterns to sing.

Mix up the t-shirt patterns and retell the story with a new "t-shirt" melody.

Extension 1: Create a KWL Chart -- BEFORE: What do you know about groundhogs? PREPARE: What would you like to know about groundhogs? AFTER: What did you learn about groundhogs?

Extension 2: Language Arts - Have children identify all of the verbs they find in the story. (These actions words are found in the first 4-line phrases of the story.) Invite the children to play a hand drum after they hear each adverb.

Extension 3: Language Arts - Have children identify all of the adjectives they find in the story. (These are mostly words found describing the groundhogs.) Invite the children to play a triangle after they hear each adjective.

Have fun with this wonderful groundhog story as Feb 2 - GROUNDHOG DAY - will be here sooner than we realize. Let's hope that there's no shadow! :)

STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM FOOTPRINTS - PREPARING HALF NOTE

2011-01-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

I wanted to continue with The Snowy Day since I know that many of you like to use a book more than once -- or have more than one activity with a book. So this week, I am adding a steady beat activity.

In the story, when Peter goes out into the snow, the snow ostinato is "crunch, crunch, crunch." Add a 4th "crunch" to have a full 4-beat measure ostinato. You can use 4 footprint outlines and write one quarter note on each (see last week's entry for ideas about creating footprints). As you read the story, invite one child to tap on the posted footprints while the rest of the class plays the rhythm pattern of the ostinato (ta-ta-ta-ta) on a non-pitched instrument. Use bar instruments in pentatonic for a more melodic winter response.

Extension 1: Write a different rhythm pattern on each footprint. Remember that each footprint is only one beat. Mix the footprints up to create different rhythmic sentences.

Extension 2: Have the children trace both feet and cut them out -- this gives you matching footprints. Have the children write a quarter note on each of their footprints and mix them in a pile with other footprints. Ask them to re-match. Tie string on the footprints and ask the children to "tie" their shoes together. Place the footprints in 4-beat (4 footprints) or 8-beat (8 footprints) patterns. Place each child's footprints beside their matching footprint so that they can be "tied" together (or "tied" together at a later time). If they tie their shoes together, explain that they will only play the first of their footprints and not the second. This is a great opportunity to PREPARE half note. In a later lesson, you can place YOUR footprint, which is obviously much larger, on top of their footprints. Each of your footprints must have a half note written on each of them. One of your footprints should cover two of theirs. By showing their footprint under yours, they can visually see that your footprint (the half note) receives 2 full beats.

MELODY - SOLFEGE FOOTPRINTS

2011-01-08T10:09:00.001-08:00

For a fun winter activity, I picked up some die-cut patterns of footprints at my local teacher store. You can find die-cut shapes of feet as well as shoe foot prints. Since it's winter, I'm using the shoe foot prints (an outline of the bottom of shoes) -- it might be too cold to walk around barefoot. LOL You can also simplify the activity by using construction paper and having the children trace around their own shoes. This would give the activity more personality and individual ownership as each child proudly recognizes their own shoe outline. Allow the children to use different colors of construction paper to represent the shoe they are tracing.

After Peter finishing his breakfast, he puts on his snowsuit and goes outside. His feet sink into the snow. The story uses the words "crunch, crunch, crunch." Place the shoe prints on the board to create simply sol-mi-do patterns. Play a simple chord bordun on the BX as children sing the different shoe patterns. Each time Peter walks, have the children sing his footsteps. Change the location of the die-cut patterns to create different melody patterns.

Extension 1: Add another "crunch" to begin preparing re.

Extention 2: Add the folk song "Winter Weather" to the song. I like using this song since the first 2 verses include a sol-mi-re-do pattern. Have the children decide where they would like to sing the song as the story is told. Have them discuss different "winter" words to create new verses to the song.

Extension 3: Adapt the folk song "I Don't Care if the Rain Comes Down" to "I Don't Care if the Snow Comes Down." Use this as an opening or closing song selection to tell the story. While I have traditionally used this song selection in Spring, I have to thank Liza for posting a movement activity in her blog to this song as it prompted me to think of a new way to use the familiar song for winter. Be sure to check our Liza Meyer's Music Blog (a link is found on the left side of my home page) for the movement suggestions. Thanks Liza! :)

STEADY BEAT - WINTER RHYTHM CUBES

2011-01-01T11:09:00.001-08:00

Be sure to check out "Let it Snow" from Dec 25 2010 -- Books to Sing.

I picked up 2" wooden cubes at my local crafts store and painted them white. These cubes are a bit more expensive but the size makes them much more engaging to roll and play with. However, you can also purchase smaller bags of 1" cubes for about $3. On each of the painted cubes, I used a black marker to create simple stick notation on each of the 6 sides of the cubes. Since I plan on using this with lower grade levels, I used quarter note, eighth note and quarter rests. I put 2 of each on each cube. I also purchased a plastic cup and placed snowflake stickers on it to create a winter "shaker" cup for the 1" cubes that I created. A larger bucket or basket can be used for the larger cubes.

After reading through (or singing) the story, the children find the repeated phrase, "But then . . . " As the children read or sing the next 2 phrases, allow a child to shake and roll the snowflake cubes out and line them up. When the children reach the part of the story where they repond, "Let it snow!" the child with the cubes would then read and/or perform the rhythm pattern they created.

Once the rhythm performance is complete, the cubes are returned to the cup or basket and the story continues. Have fun with this exciting winter activity.

Extension: To make this activity engaging, create a set of cubes with winter stickers. By chosing stickers with snowflakes and icicles, the children experience rhythms with ti-ti and tiki-ti. I also found stickers of polar bears and penguins. There were many other sticker options that would allow different rhythmic patterns.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-12-25T22:58:00.001-08:00

Let It Snow
Written and Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
ISBN: 978-0-545-20880-2

Read the story (each verse told in rhyme) to the children inviting them to respond with a simple "mi-re-do" pattern each time they hear "let it fall." The next time the story is shared, sing the words of each verse using the melody of the familiar piece "Ding Dong Digga-Digga Dong" (which can be found in the Orff Schulwerk, Vol.1 and in music curriculum series).

When you get the the end of the melody, sing the words "but then" on d and t, -- sing the rest of the words on this page as a l.-m pattern. This will give the story an interlude using the relative minor (la based). Sing the end of this passage (found on the next page) on mi-re-do to complete the interlude.
The next verse begins again with the "Ding Dong" melody.

The story can also be sung to the melody of "Twinkle, Twinkle."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY

2010-12-18T12:48:00.005-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2010-12-11T15:17:00.001-08:00

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MELODY

2010-12-04T16:29:00.001-08:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-11-27T11:53:00.001-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2010-11-20T18:24:00.001-08:00

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MELODY

2010-11-13T06:17:00.001-08:00

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STEADY BEAT

2010-11-06T22:24:00.001-07:00

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CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-10-30T08:08:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving at our House
Written and Illustrated by P.K. Hallinan
ISBN: 978-0-824-95534-2

Read the story to the children -- each verse is told in rhyme. The next time the story is shared, sing the words of each verse using the melody of the familiar piece "Pop! Goes the Weasel."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY - SOLFEGE PUMPKINS

2010-10-23T10:23:00.001-07:00

I use die-cut shapes of pumpkins that I found at my local teacher supply store and placed "s" or "m" in the center of each pattern. I use the peel-n-stick letters since they show up much better. Magnets can be added to the back of each pumpkin for easy magnetic use.

Place the pumpkins above or below a vine in the garden (a single line drawn on the board using a green marker). After a pumpkin "melody" is sung correctly, die-cut leaves can be awarded to the "vine" as children sing the m-r-d melodies correctly.

For a fun extension, mix the pumpkins up each time the story is read. If you have additional pumpkin shapes, add "l" to use with a more advanced group. Consider solfege hand signs or even staff notation. Rhythm options would include Level I rhythmic concepts.

Finally have the children write (literacy) and play their Autumn Pumpkin Melody. Provide evaluation sheets for each child to encourage self-assessment.

STEADY BEAT

2010-10-16T05:00:00.001-07:00

Type the names of different owls and affix to patterns. Each owl would have the name of only one owl written or posted upon it. You can find the larger die-cut patterns at a local card outlet or teacher's supply store.

After singing a owl song (My Owlet) or reciting a owl poem (A Wise Old Owl), create a B Section by having children speak and/or play the rhythm patterns of what the owls say when placed in a rhythmic sentence of 8. Each pattern will have only one type of owl written on it -- therefore, each pattern/owl equals one complete beat. For example, "long-whiskered" would be represented by an eighth note and 2 sixteenth notes; "barn owl" would be represented by a two eighth notes. Use an owl finger puppet to tap each owl, keeping a steady beat as the B Section is created. Allow different children to use the finger puppet. Transfer the language to non-pitched percussion instruments and invite children to perform what the words say.

For an extension, try creating rhythmic sentences in different meters. Can you sing or chant your A section selection in that meter as well? :)

You can also connect this rhythmic activity to other children's titles that have an owl theme.

MELODY - SOLFEGE OWLS

2010-10-09T09:38:00.001-07:00

I use die-cut shapes of owls that I found at my local teacher supply store and placed "m" "r" or "d" in the center of each pattern. I use the peel-n-stick letters since they show up much better. Magnets can be added to the back of each owl for easy magnetic use.
Place the owls above, below or on a limb of a tree (a single line drawn on the board using a green or black marker). After a owl "melody" is sung correctly, die-cut leaves can be awarded to the "tree" as children sing the m-r-d melodies correctly.

For a fun extension, mix the owls up each time a story is read. If you have additional owl shapes, you can add additional solfege, solfege hand signs, or even staff notation. Rhythm options would include Level II rhythmic concepts.

Finally, once soprano recorder notes B-A-G have been introduced, have the children play their Autumn Owl Melody.

STEADY BEAT - RHYTHM OWLS

2010-10-02T05:35:00.001-07:00

I use die-cut shapes of owls that I found at my local teacher supply store and placed sixteenth note rhythms in the center of each pattern. Each owl pattern has only one full beat -- i.e. tika-tika, or ti-tika, or tika-ti. Magnets can be added to the back of each owl for easy magnetic use.

Place the owls along a single line drawn on the board using a green or black marker to represent the limb of a tree. After singing an owl folk song (i.e. My Owlets), have the children correctly play the rhythm pattern that has been created on the "limb" of the tree. If the rhythmic pattern is played correctly, die-cut leaves can be awarded to the "tree."

For a fun extension, mix the owl rhythms up each time the song is sung or a particular passage in a story (i.e. Owl Babies) is read. If you have additional owl shapes, you can add rhythm patterns. Additional options would include Level II rhythmic concepts.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-09-25T03:54:00.001-07:00

Let It Fall
Written and Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
ISBN: 978-0-545-20879-6

Read the story (each verse told in rhyme) to the children inviting them to respond with a simple "mi-re-do" pattern each time they hear "let it fall." The next time the story is shared, sing the words of each verse using the melody of the familiar piece "Ding Dong Digga-Digga Dong" (which can be found in the Orff Schulwerk, Vol.1 and in music curriculum series).

When you get the the end of the melody, sing the words "but then" on d and t, -- sing the rest of the words on this page as a l.-m pattern. This will give the story an interlude using the relative minor (la based). Sing the end of this passage (found on the next page) on mi-re-do to complete the interlude.

The next verse begins again with the "Ding Dong" melody.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

MELODY

2010-09-18T05:08:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

STEADY BEAT

2010-09-11T10:54:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

MELODY

2010-09-05T14:37:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-08-28T16:10:00.001-07:00

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves
Written by Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by Jared Lee
ISBN: 978-0-545-24198-4

Yet another wonderful retelling of "There Was An Old Lady" who is still eating and swallowing things! :) The children will love the wonderful autumn things that the old lady swallows -- but can they guess what will happen at the end? There is a wonderful surprise ending that will leave little ones giggling and crows flocking with glee. :)

This story can easily connect with The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

STEADY BEAT

2010-08-21T08:27:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

MELODY

2010-08-14T06:21:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

STEADY BEAT

2010-08-07T04:25:00.001-07:00

WELCOME BACK! I WILL POST A NEW ACTIVITY SHORTLY.

NEW IDEAS COMING SOON -- AUG 2010!

2010-07-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

Be sure to come back to visit soon! I will be posting all new ideas beginning August 2010. Until then, have a safe and restful summer.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-05-29T10:20:00.001-07:00

TO BE POSTED SHORTLY.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-04-24T05:38:00.001-07:00

Ten Sly Piranhas
Written by William Wise
Illustrated by Victoria Chess
ISBN: 978-0-14240-074-6

This wonderful waterland of reverse counting opens a waterway of creatures that children may find in a river. Each poem is 4-lines that can be sung to the tune of the familiar folk melody "Sweet Betsy from Pike." Read through the poems once before sharing with the class as the rhythm of words may need to be slightly adjusted to fit the familiar tune. Use each stanza individually or all together for a full springtime musical experience.

After singing each verse, invite the children to create a poem about either the piranhas or the creatures in the water. This poem can be spoken as a B section. Create additional ostinati parts to be performed on various non-pitch percussion instruments.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-03-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

The Very Funny Frog
Written and Illustrated by Jack Tickle
ISBN: 978-1-84506-947-6

This pop-up book is a collection of fun spring-time poems about the many creatures and critters that children may find in their garden. Poems include butterflies, frogs, birds, rabbits, ladybugs, and spiders. There is even a mole! Could this be the same mole that grows up to become a musician (Mole Music by David McPhail) or even Gustav Mole (by Michael Twinn)?

Each poem is 4-lines that can be sung to the tune of the familiar folk melody "Cindy." Read through the poems once before sharing with the class as the rhythm of words may need to be slightly adjusted to fit the familiar tune. Use each poem individually or all together for a full springtime musical experience.

In the traditional refrain, "Get along home, Cindy, Cindy," invite the children to sing the beginning poem, "In my garden, in my garden, in my garden, so come and take a look. "

Extension: Divide the children into groups and have each group choose a favorite poem from the book. Invite one child to read each line of the poem. Have children improvise pentatonic melodies corresponding to the rhythm of the words in each line of the poem as it is read.

Example:
Read Line 1 / Have a child read Line 1
Children improvise a pentatonic melody based upon the rhythm of the words from line 1.
Read Line 2 / Have a child read Line 2
Children improvise a pentatonic melody based upon the rhythm of the words from line 2.
Read Line 3 / Have a child read Line 3
Children improvise a pentatonic melody based upon the rhythm of the words from line 3.
Read Line 4 / Have a child read Line 4
Children improvise a pentatonic melody based upon the rhythm of the words from line 4.

Sing the refrain mentioned above to create a verse/refrain selection.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-02-27T04:31:00.000-08:00

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day
Written by Natasha Wing
Illustrated by Amy Wummer
ISBN: 978-0-545-14969-3

It’s the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and the children can't sleep. They are hoping to catch a leprechaun! They wake to the sound of bagpipes and the smell of green eggs cooking in the kitchen. And above all else, they’ve caught a leprechaun -- but can they find his pot of gold?

In the style of Clement Moore's traditional tale, each page includes a 4-line verse that can be adaptedly sung to the tune of the familiar folk melody "Cindy." Read through the story once before sharing with the class as the rhythm of words may need to be slightly adjusted to fit the familiar tune.

In the traditional refrain, "Get along home, Cindy, Cindy," invite the children to sing the following holiday refrain: Leprechaun! Leprechaun! Leprechaun! Please share your pot of gold!

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2010-01-30T04:20:00.000-08:00

The Night Before Valentine's Day
Written by Natasha Wing
Illustrated by Heidi Petach
ISBN: 0-448-42188-7

This book is a wonderful Valentine's story about the excitement of the sweetest holiday. The story introduces the reader to many of the wonderful traditions associated with Valentine's Day. Each page includes a 4-line verse that can be adaptedly sung to the tune of the familiar folk melody "Cindy." Read through the story once before sharing with the class as the rhythm of words may need to be slightly adjusted to fit the familiar tune.

In the traditional refrain, "Get along home, Cindy, Cindy," invite the children to sing the following holiday refrain:
Valentine! Valentine!
Valentine! Please be my Valentine!

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2009-12-26T22:52:00.001-08:00

Winter Waits
Written by Lynn Plourde
Illustrated by Greg Couch
ISBN: 978-0-689-83268-0

This story is the tale of Winter, the child of Mother Earth and Father Time. Winter must find a way to occupy his time during the day while waiting for Father Time to finish working. There is a repeating pattern as Winter waits an hour or two, an hour or three, an hour or four for his father.

The story is told in rhyme and can be sung to the melody of either Twinkle, Twinkle or London Bridge. If sung to London Bridge, you'll need to repeat the words of the second phrase of the poem just as you do with London Bridge (i.e. falling down, falling down). Read through the book a few times as there are a few adjustments in the rhythm pattern of the words that will be needed to sing to the familiar melody.

Extension: Sing the book to either song in minor. It brings a wonderful new musical feeling to the storyline.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2009-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

Say Hello to the Snowy Animals!Written by Ian Whybrow
Illustrated by Ed Eaves
ISBN: 978-0-7607-9675-7

This book is currently available (and on a sale shelf) at Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The story introduces the reader to many wonderful winter animals that are presented on each page as a "touch and feel" picture. Each page includes a 2-line verse that can be adaptedly sung to "Oh, Won't You Sit Down."

An additional activity includes animal responses on each page (i.e. the polar bear response is "grrr, grrr, grrr"; the snowy owl response is "hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo"; and the artic hare response is "thump, thump, thump."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2009-10-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

The House in the NightWritten by Susan Marie Swanson
Illustrated by Beth Krommes
ISBN: 978-0-618-86244-7

“In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” The journey detailed beyond describes a fantastical bird which spirits away the child on a song into the starry sky. While the cumulative tale may seem familiar, the pictures (mostly black and white) lead the reader into mystical night-time adventures. The book can be adaptedly sung to "The Green Grass Grew All Around."

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2009-09-26T04:47:00.001-07:00

Bats at the BeachWritten by Brian Lies
ISBN: 978-0-618-55744-8

This wonderful tale of bats in the springtime evening can be sung to “Skip to My Lou.” Simply change the word "spring" to "fall" and you have a wonderful tale that sure to engage your little guys during the Autumn months. Best of all -- it can be a wonderful Halloween story without the actual Halloween connections. The author, Brian Lies, has also recently published a second book, Bats at the Library.

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - BOOKS TO SING

2009-08-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I continue to hear teachers ask about the children's books that I connect to familiar folk songs and singing games. With that in mind, I've decided that my last post each month will be a children's literature connection to familiar folk literature. I hope this will add many wonderful titles to your library.

Louella Mae, She’s Run Away
Written by Karen Beaumont Alarcón
ISBN: 978-0-0-8050-3532-X

This title can be sung to “Oh, Where? Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?”

Enjoy the story and keep singing. :)

STEADY BEAT - APPLE POINTER

2009-08-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided to finally learn more about the world of blogging. I must admit that I got my inspiration from the movie, "Julie and Julia." So -- I've come home and after a day, I've decided that I, too, have something to share and that it may benefit others . . . or perhaps at least a classroom or two.

What will my thoughts share? I know that there are so many out there sharing that it's probably difficult to find a location to return to on a regular basis. However, I think that my gift is in education. Therefore, I have decided to blog my thoughts on classroom activities and ideas.

I will make a commitment -- just like the movie -- to come to this location once a week on Saturdays and share a thought or classroom idea. I hope that my thoughts spark the creative gene in you to create new and refreshing ideas that will inspire those that you teach each day -- the children.

Saturday - August 8, 2009
Find an apple die-cut shape (or cut one out yourself) at your local dollar store or teacher store. Head to your local hardware store and purchase a dowel rod or plastic putty knife (found in the paint section). I use plastic since it can the germs from little hands can be wiped off. :) You can either laminate the apple shape or simply use clear packing tape to cover the shape to protect it from dirt. After you have laminated the apple, attach the apple shape at one end and use the new "apple pointer" for steady beat activities that you have written on your board or on cards to put into your pocket chart.

So, there you have it -- my inspiration and my initial blog.