Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club
The "Butterfly Dance" in Carolyn's Music Class
Photo by Jeri-Jo Idarius Photography
iPOD
If you use an iPOD or PHONE for the music you play for the children in your group, then you can create play lists for your everyday music class. Just about every favorite childhood song is downloadable these days and iPods can hold a large amount of cp3 songs! Also, you can transfer songs from cd s onto your iPod (via computer) and have the songs you've enjoyed for years right at your finger tips & stored compactly on your iPod.
Link to: Apple Brand iPod on Amazon
I USE MUSIC RECORDINGS FOR:
- Movement Activities
- Focused Listening Activities
- Listening to Authentic Renditions from the Various Cultural Genres of Music.
I've been using my iPhone as an iPod for years. Recently, when I upgraded to a new phone, I kept my old phone and now it is officially my iPod for music class. I REALLY LIKE APPLE PRODUCTS and highly recommend them. I love that I can transfer recordings between all my devices and I can even make recordings in Garage Band and send it over to one of my iTunes play lists. This means you can record the children singing (or playing instruments) and put them on your iPod or even make a cd for the parents!
Regardless of which mp3 product you use, I have so enjoyed HAVING PLAYLISTS FOR MUSIC CLASS.
My play list is like my lesson plan!
SPEAKER
I also use a BLUETOOTH SPEAKER that can be placed anywhere in a room (or even outdoors). No need to locate electrical outlets or to have cords running across the floor. I really like the bluetooth speakers from Jawbone. I have had mine for over 4 years now and it is still going full blast! In my opinion, these have a true sound and they are sturdier than other brands, especially around children. On the top of the box, there are controls and you can even control the volume & the song selection from these controls, if you like. It also works just fine using the controls on your iPod. I have the BIG JAMBOX because I sometimes work with large groups in large rooms for training programs. For a normal size classroom, the MINI JAMBOX should work just fine.
There's a GREAT SALE on this BIG JAMBOX right now!(see link below)
Link to: Big Jambox on Amazon
If you prefer plugging in your mp3 device into a stationery speaker, I look for a set-up that is sturdy and not easy for children to knock over. This one from iHome works nicely and has a remote, too.
RECORDINGS FOR MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES
In the Montessori environment, CHILDREN CLASSICALLY BEGIN ACTIVITIES "ON THE LINE" when they are as young as two! I find that "the line" or the edge of the rug is a great place for movement such as marching and circle dancing.
Here are some Montessori-style movement songs that even the youngest children enjoy.
"The Line"
- Walk Around the Circle by Frank Leto
- Tip Toe by Frank Leto
- Listen & Move by Greg & Steve
- A Walking We Will Go by Greg & Steve
- Walking on the Line and Rhythmic Activities on the Line by Sanford Jones
- Room to Move (Warm Up) by Frank Leto
- Body Talk by Greg & Steve
- Old Brass Wagon by Greg & Steve
- Under the Sun by Frank Leto
- Jump Jim Joe by Peter & Alice Amidon
- Doing the Swim by Frank Leto
- Come On Everybody by Frank Leto
- All the Animals at the Zoo by Frank Leto
- Rock & Roll Freeze Dance by Hap Palmer
- Watch Me Ride My Pony from Sanford Jones (Movement & Singing Games)
- Across the Bridge by Greg & Steve
FAVORITE SONGS FOR SINGING
You can check out my FAVORITE HUNDRED SONGS FROM THE MONTESSORI MUSIC ROOM at the following link. Just scroll down to the 5 articles titled: Musically Montessori! A Hundred Songs.
RECORDINGS FOR FOCUSED LISTENING
DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS is a GREAT BENEFIT OF MUSIC with young children. Practicing focused listening can be a really fun activity for children.
You can offer listening activities with:
- EVERYDAY SOUNDS the children are familiar with (ex: birds, car horn, popcorn popping, etc)
- Gradually introduce the SOUNDS OF EACH INSTRUMENT OF THE ORCHESTRA
- Eventually children enjoy listening to FAMOUS PIECES OF MUSIC (ex: Beethoven's fifth)
Here are some sources for focused listening experiences for young children:
- Baby's First Introduction to the Instruments of the Orchestra by Various Artists (NOT JUST FOR BABIES!)
- Ultimate Sound Effects Collection by Dr Sound Effects
- Classics for Kids by Various Artists
FAVORITE CLASSIC COMPOSERS CHILDREN LOVE
I think that young children really enjoy learning about some of the classic composers in Western Music.
Here are some of the very favorites of the children I have worked with over the years:
Mozart at this link:Mozart on Amazon.
Beethoven at this link:Beethoven At Amazon.
Vivaldi at this link:Vivaldi at Amazon.
Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Saens and more! at this link:Saint Saens & More at Amazon.
The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky and more!
at this link:Tchaikovsky & More at Amazon.
MUSIC FROM THE CULTURES OF THE WORLD
In the Montessori early childhood setting, we traditionally introduce the continents of the world to the children throughout the school year.
Playing the Rainstick from South America Study Unit
Photo by Jeri-Jo Idarius Photography
Typically, we also like to explore the countries of the children's family heritages and music is a wonderful way to do this!
- West African Drumming & Dance
- North African/ Middle Eastern Traditional
- Peruvian Drum & Guitar
- Brazilian Carnival Music
- Mexican Folkloric
- Native American Flute & Drum
- American Rock & Roll
- Hawaiian Ukulele Music
- Australian Didgeridoo Music
- Parisian Cafe
- Irish Fiddle & OtherTraditional Instruments
- Chinese Traditional/Contemporary Artists
- Japanese Flute and More
- Sitar Music of India
INSTRUMENTS
A very important part of music for
young children is the actual MAKING OF MUSIC!
RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS AND PITCHED PERCUSSION
are always engaging for the children and should be a part of music class, at
least weekly.
Playing the Castanets in the Montessori Music Room
Photo by Jeri-Jo Idarius Photography
Here is a LIST OF THE INSTRUMENTS I RECOMMEND
for early childhood settings with links of where they can be viewed/ purchased:
•
Rhythm sticks (a set for each child in the
group)
•
Maracas (a set for each child in the
group)
•
Single Bells (a set for each child in the
group)
•
Sand Blocks (a set for each child in the
group)
•
Triangles (a triangle & striker for each child in the
group)
•
Finger cymbals ( a set for each child in
the group)
•
Tambourines (one for each child in the
group)
•
Glockenspiel (just one that has a true
tone)
•
Hand drum (just one that is easy for a
child to handle)
•
Cymbals (just one set that
is child-sized)
~ Wonderful RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS that DIRECTLY EXERCISE THE PINCER GRASP for the young child are the CASTANETS, but a bit challenging for the youngest children!
~ Wonderful RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS that DIRECTLY EXERCISE THE PINCER GRASP for the young child are the CASTANETS, but a bit challenging for the youngest children!
IF THE BUDGET IS REALLY TIGHT:
A RULE OF THUMB is that when the children
have an INSTRUMENT THAT REQUIRES THE USE OF BOTH HANDS, they stay engaged more
fully. (Ex: rhythm sticks, finger cymbals, tambourines)
I prefer to start the children out with
everyone playing the same instrument, so a set of RHYTHM STICKS for each child
is usually affordable. These can be used in so many, many ways! I consider them
to be a "must have!"
Next, I would invest in FINGER CYMBALS, which
is another instrument that is inexpensive and played with both hands.
I think it is worth it to purchase some
SMALL, PLASTIC TAMBOURINES because these can also be played like a drum.
Then, if need be, each child can play one
maraca. Likewise, the single bell can be limited to one for each child
rather than two.
Photo by Jeri-Jo Idarius Photography
YOU WILL NEED some kind of PITCHED
INSTRUMENT for SOLFEGE WORK and if the Glockenspiel is out of your range, then
a set of resonator bars can be substituted. Here's a good set from Amazon: Basic Beat Resonator Bars.
If your classroom has a set of the
MONTESSORI BRASS BELLS, then you have a fabulous pitched instrument for a great many activities!
PROPS
Some PROPS in music class are AIDS for the
TEACHER TO ILLUSTRATE MUSIC CONCEPTS, like puppets for loud and quiet. Other
PROPS are for the CHILDREN TO USE FOR MOVEMENT, individually or all together as a group.(ex: Stretchy Band)
Photos by Jeri-Jo Idarius Photography
HERE ARE THE ALL-TIME FAVORITE PROPS from my
Montessori Music Room with the links to view/ purchase:
Montessori Music Room with the links to view/ purchase:
•
Scarves (one or two for each child)
•
Rainbow Ribbons (one for each child)
•
Stretchy Band (Choose a size appropriate
for the number of children in your group. You will need the extra large size for a group of 24-36 children)
•
Finger Puppets (one for each child)
•
"Music Babies" (one for each
child)
•
Hand Puppets (for the teacher to
illustrate music concepts)
Here are 2 examples of puppets for games with fast and slow music:
Music that is fast (like a rabbit) is called "Presto"
View rabbit puppet at this link: Folkmanis Rabbit Puppet.
Music that is slow (like a turtle) is called "Largo"
View Turtle Puppet at this link: Folkmanis turtle puppet.
More examples:
Photo by the artists at Dollar Photo Club
You can find more activities & information at my past posts by clicking on the links below:
- The Montessori Line: here and also here
- Movement Activities: here and also here
- Focused Listening: here and also here
- Favorite Songs for Singing: Musically Montessori 100 Songs
- Music from Cultures of the World: here and also here
- Instruments with Children: here and also here
- Props in Music Class: here and also here
- Music Concepts: here and also here
I am so delighted to have you visiting my Blog and I hope you found lots of ideas for music experiences with your group!
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