Category: Music

playing the glockenspiel 0

Glockenspiel — A Wonderful First Instrument for Kids

Yesterday I mentioned that we are trying to add in more music to our summer.  I shared a packet of some fun kids songs we’ve been singing. We’ve also been more regular about practicing instruments. DD is learning a new piece on the piano and I started sitting down with ED again to help her learn some pieces on the glockenspiel. I started all of the kids around the age...

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Kids Song Packet — Summer Camp at Home!

I went to girl scout camp every summer for years… and then worked as a girl scout counselor for several years after that.  I loved when we sang songs after our meals. Those songs have stuck with me all these years.  This past school year we didn’t do nearly as much music as we normally do.  I wanted to add in some fun songs this summer… especially for my youngest....

What Should the Kids Be Learning? 1

What Should the Kids Be Learning?

I think we all worry a lot about what our kids need to know right now. What skills should they have? Can they do what they’re supposed to in fill-in-the-blank subject? We’re currently working on lots of stuff — math, spelling, physics, critical thinking, writing skills, music, but ultimately what is important that they remember and know from *this* day or *this* week? What do I want my kids to learn?...

Music Class: Cute Christmas Activities 0

Music Class: Cute Christmas Activities

I run two little music classes (for free) for our friends. We try to meet once a week (though illness, holidays, and travels sometimes gets in the way of that!!) For our music class last Friday we played a cute game that was a huge hit. Two parents made a bridge with their hands. The kids stood in a line and went under the bridge, circling back and going under...

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World Music Class: Games and Music of Mexico and South America

Since my kids are learning a bit about the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas we decided to jump to South America with our world music class.  We are enjoying music, geography and games from Mexico and South America. Here’s what we’re covered with our friends the past couple of weeks: *We all sing hello and each child chooses a movement for the rest of the group to follow. *I pull out...

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World Music : Europe

For the first time in months, we had our music classes. We took a long break because of the holidays, sickness and house problems. It was so wonderful to catch up with our friends again.  We are continuing on with our studies of Europe and the music of Europe.  First, we reviewed the seven continents (to the tune of Frere Jacques). Europe, Asia, A-fri-caa, North America South America Then there...

Jumping on the bridge 12

Snippets of our Week (for our 5-yr-old)

I’ve been meaning to put up a post about what we generally work on from day to day. But, with blogger not working for a while, I have a plethora of photos to share. So, here’s a glimpse of what DD (just turned 5) has been working on these past couple of weeks.  Her “basics” include math, reading, handwriting, music/glockenspiel, arts&crafts; and another unit-study (a lapbook in this case, but...

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First Instrument: Glockenspiel (and Japanese Folk Tale–Momotaro)

I have found the glockenspiel to be a wonderful first instrument for LD and DD. (LD has since moved on to the piano.) In our music classes, we are learning the basics of rhythm (quarter notes, eighth notes and the half note at this point).  And, I’ve introduced a few notes to the kids.  The first song DD learned on the glockenspiel was Bee, Bee Bumble Bee (to the tune...

Music: Rhythm Cards 0

Music: Rhythm Cards

Yesterday, I introduced the song/rhythm: Bee Bee Bumble BeeCan you sing your name to me? It has the same rhythm as “Rain, Rain Go Away” We all tapped our paper to the rhythm, learned to play it on the glockenspiel and then played the bumble bee game while chanting the song. This morning, I was printing out rhythm sheets for next week’s class and thought I’d share this wonderful resource...

Music Class for Five Year Olds (Class 1 Outline) 0

Music Class for Five Year Olds (Class 1 Outline)

I’m going to have a class for a few homeschooling kids who are DD’s age (I do it for free–just for fellowship and music fun!).  If anyone’s interested, I posted the general plan of what I will do for the first, 45-minute class. http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/p/music-class-for-five-year-olds-my.html The general theme will be music from around the world, but we’ll play lots of music-related games and learn a bit on the glockenspiel, etc. Tomorrow...

Music Game — Hi Ho Cherry-O 0

Music Game — Hi Ho Cherry-O

LD and I played this today (while DD filled her cherry tree!)First we went over the value of the cards using thesandpaper notes (in black). Then as each player flippedover a card, s/he went the number of beats on the card(so LD is putting four cherries on his cherry tree becausehe turned over a whole note).

Elem-Children’s Music 1 (6 yr old) — Structure of Class 0

Elem-Children’s Music 1 (6 yr old) — Structure of Class

Even though we started up with music classes a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been (finally) giving more thought to the resources, games and structure I want for our ‘class’ (by that I mean me, hubby and the kids).  Each ‘class’ (sorry for that word, can’t think of an alternative!!) session lasts about 45 minutes. We usually have music class for about 12-14 weeks or so. I thought I would...

Music — Sandpaper Notes and Music Notation 0

Music — Sandpaper Notes and Music Notation

To introduce the kids to quarter notes (crotchet),half-notes (minim), whole note (semibreve), etc., I made aset of sandpaper music symbols. You can see where Igot the original idea here at laytonmusic or you candownload the paper symbols here. I’m grateful she sharedthis great idea and resource! We’ve used them blind-folded;we have them out when go over our rhythm cards, whenwe’ve played music file-folder games, etc. I often use the symbols...

Rhythm Cards 0

Rhythm Cards

I thought I’d explain how I use the rhythmcards in case you are wondering. I use thisterminology: quarter note=tahalf note= ta 2dotted half note= ta 2 3whole note= ta 2 3 42 eighth notes= ti-tirest=shh I would say the card aloud, the kids repeat. Once the kids are proficient, you can addclapping and/or rhythm sticks. I’ll give you examples of how I would “say” the cards: (Others might not do...