Musically Montessori: Day 5 Musical Group Management ~ Creating Community

DID YOU KNOW THAT CREATING A "COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS" IS A DYNAMIC STRATEGY FOR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT? Make it musical, and you have a winning combination!

This post is my musical group management article "Day 5," the fifth in my "24 Strategies" series. 

You can read the other posts at the links below:

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You can read "Day 2" at this link.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read "Day 3" at this link.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

You are reading this one right here.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BUILDING COMMUNITY

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for creating an atmosphere that promotes the feeling of "community" among your young learners.

Musical activities at Circle Time are one of the very best ways for children to interact in a group. 

You can capitalize on these musical group times to facilitate activities that invite children to work (and play) together. When children feel more and more a part of the group, they begin to build a community. 

DAY 5: TO CREATE A "COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS"

When there is a feeling of community, children behave more respectfully towards each other and so there are less occurrences of troublesome behaviors. 

This community-building strategy, through musical experiences, weaves a sturdy cloth of positive behaviors that become routine with the children.

Strategy #18 

"COOPERATION MAKES IT HAPPEN"

Any task that requires two or more people, is an excellent time to incorporate a song about cooperation.

We have many opportunities to sing such songs in the Montessori classroom! There are times when children may carry and move a table together, or bring several parts of a shelf work to the circle, or tidy up a big mess...the list goes on and on.

Below are 2 videos with some sweet cooperation-themed songs that I have used in my classroom. We sing the choruses spontaneously whenever the occasion arises. (Even if it is not a group circle time)

Sesame Street Cooperation song

The chorus to the song in the following video,  has been an all-time favorite in my Preschool groups:

"Cooperation Makes It Happen"

Strategy #19 

RHYTHM PATTERNS W/ VOICE

My music classes with groups of young children always include rhythm echoes in our 2 or 3 minute warm-up for the day's lesson. 

Whenever groups of children are keeping vocal rhythm patterns together, they are developing a sense of community in a subtle way. 

In unison, they are "echoing" the teacher,  and the underlying rhythm of the pattern draws each singer into the group. It's just about irresistible and effortless, considering that the leader (teacher) keeps that steady underlying and infectious beat!

Here is a sampling of echo rhythms that we warm-up with in my groups:

"Rhythm Echoes 1," from Magical Movement Company

Strategy #20 

RHYTHM PATTERNS W/ INSTRUMENTS

Later in our music class, we once again practice rhythm patterns, only this time, instead of our voices, we use our rhythm instruments: rhythm sticks, maracas, triangles, tambourines, etc.  That is how we warm up on our instruments, like professional musicians. 

This musical activity is the beginning of what we call "ensemble playing." As children practice these each week repeatedly, and develop skill, they are soon playing these rhythms in unison. 

It's like the children have become "band-mates!" Becoming like a band is certainly community-building and fun. 

Here is a video of Frank Leto's technique of using rhythm echoes to build group musical cohesiveness. After the vocal echoes, he introduces "body percussion," so clapping, patting and tapping makes the body become a sort of percussion instrument.

Echoes & Rhythms with Frank Leto

Strategy #21 

RAINBOW ELASTIC "STRETCHY BAND"

As you will see in the following short video, my groups continue to practice the rhythm patterns with which we warm up our voices and our rhythm instruments. Now this time, these rhythms are repeated as a group, holding onto a giant elastic rainbow colored "stretchy band."

 

Montessori Music Activity with Rainbow Stretchy Band

The stretchy band is a wonderful group unifier. After clearly presenting the ground rules for this activity, I am always delighted to see how much the children greatly enjoy the the thrill of being connected to everyone else while moving in unison to the familiar musical patterns. Lots of giggles!

You can read more about how we do it and a DIY substitute for the stretchy band, at my blog article, From the Montessori Music Room: Four Ways To Move With A "Stretchy Band!"

And, here is a video featuring one of my favorite Orff-Schulwerk teachers, Tamara O'Brien, demonstrating a lovely performance piece for children, using a giant stretchy band.

Orff Activity "Caravan" from "We're Orff 2"

Strategy #22 

FREEZE DANCE WITH HOOPS

To bring a spirit of togetherness to the popular activity of freeze dancing, the teacher can simply add a few hula hoops to the game.

As the music plays, everyone dances around in the movement area of the room until the music stops and the children must "freeze." 

However, in this version, each child quickly finds a hoop where s/he must "freeze." Invariably, the hoops fill up with children who are scrambling to find a spot in which to freeze. They always manage to fit one more child into their hoops, and voila---it's another community building activity! 

You can see it in action in this video:

Hula Hoop Freeze Dance

Strategy #23 

PARTNER DANCING

Another community-builder is movement coordinated with a partner. There are many children's songs that are actually partner dances and circle dances.

 

"Partner dancing" involves 2 children and/or a group arranged in a circle. The participants coordinate their actions and once again we, as the teachers,  are setting up a community-developing activity that is fun and sometimes even a bit challenging.

    

Some of these are: "Skip to My Lou", "Buffalo Gals", "Noble Duke of York, "Alabama Gal", "Sur Le Pont, d'Avignon", "Bow To Your Partner", "Brother Come and Dance with Me", ***"Here's a Little Bluebird, Flying Through My Window" to name a few.

 

Amidon's "Noble Duke of York" demo

Amidon's New England Dancers: "Buffalo Gals"

Kindergarten "Sur LePont d'Avignon" demo

"Little Brother, Dance with Me" Virtual 

***HERE'S A LITTLE BLUE BIRD Activity: A child is chosen to be the "bird" and flies around the circle, then s/he chooses a partner to "hop in the garden". At the end of the song the first child leaves the circle and the partner becomes the "bird". Continue until all children have left the circle to go to the next activity.

Strategy #24 

PARTNER PLAYING

Another extension of partnership movement, is comprised of the activities featuring two children playing instruments while facing each other and playing in unison. 

With my groups, we use 8" rhythm sticks. I introduce this kind of activity only when the group is really skilled in playing rhythm sticks. Likewise, the children are 4 years old and upward, because they are generally skilled enough to play these sticks as partners successfully. It is quite challenging and the older children love this challenge. 

We play partner rhythm sticks with simple and familiar songs that the children know well. (ex: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

A simple way to do it:

~ Set up the partners so that they are sitting facing each other.

Follow this pattern:

~ Tap your sticks on the floor

~ Tap your sticks together

~ Tap the ends of your sticks to the ends of your partner's sticks

Following are some videos showing a partner playing activity from the Maori culture using sticks. This traditional activity is very challenging and not really appropriate for preschoolers. However, the song and actions are lovely and could be simplified and adapted for a group that is experienced and skilled in playing rhythm sticks.  

"E Papa Wairi" Maori Stick Song Activity

Maori Stick Song

I am so happy to know that you have come to visit my Blog today, and I hope you enjoy trying some of these strategies  with your group.

You might also enjoy exploring some of my Musically Montessori eCourses at this link.

Looking for more ideas?

My Musically Montessori eBook is part of my Freebie Collection available for my email subscribers. I invite you to subscribe at this link.

And...

I invite you to check out my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses at this link. You'll see my techniques in action in the instructional videos in all my eCourses.

Photos are from Adobe Stock Photos and Carolyn's Photo Archives

View Post

Musically Montessori "Nutcracker Ballet Suite for Kids" Vlog

THE SEASON IS WITH US AGAIN FOR CELEBRATIONS AND MUSICAL EVENTS! 

How about some fun activities for your group featuring Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet Suite?

Here are some of my videos to give you a small idea of how much magic you can create with this wonderful music of the season. I invite you to check out my "Nutcracker Suite for Little Kids" eCourse and learn more. 

Clara Throws Her Shoe to Scare the Mice 

from Gobbling Up All The Goodies Under the Tree

                             "Carolyn's Nutcracker Suite Vlog 2022" 

I INVITE YOU TO EXPLORE ALL MY eCOURSES 

My Musically Montessori eCourses are now located at Trillium Montessori Courses.

And, my newest course, "Art Curriculum for Young Children" eCourse is also at Trillium!

My Blogs About Nutcracker Ballet Suite

More of my Blog Articles about The Nutcracker Ballet Suite and activities for children, including Montessori style Practical Life activities!

~ "If You Are Planning To Take Your Child to See The Nutcracker Ballet"

~ "Carolyn's Nutcracker Dancing Song Circle Game"

~ "The Fun of Castanets & Children Playing Along to The Chocolate Dance from the Nutcracker Ballet Suite"

~ Artfully Montessori: Practical Life Activities for Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for Little Kids"

More Nutcracker Ballet Suite Resources

If you are on my email list, then you have access to my Subscribers Freebie Collection , and there are 2 lovely and free Nutcracker Activities just waiting for you to download and set up for your little ones.

There are also two Magical Movement Company Activity Packs featuring The Nutcracker Ballet Suite for children at my Teachers Pay Teachers Shop:

"Nutcracker Suite Rhythm Instruments Play-Along" 

"Nutcracker Suite Music Games for Little Kids"

Thanks again for visiting my Blog today...It's a Vlog!

View Post

Musically Montessori: Exploring the Orchestra with 3-Part Cards & More

WHAT CAN WE DO WITH OUR MONTESSORI "ALL ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA" 3-PART CARDS TODAY?

Okay...before we do anything with these 3-Part Cards, we want to listen to some orchestra music!

BEGIN WITH CONCRETE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES

One of the most important parts of the Montessori method that helps the child succeed in any activity, is beginning with concrete experiences that eventually move the child into a more abstract understanding of a concept.

From Dr Montessori:

"Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences in the environment." 

In music education, that will most likely begin with hearing live music and making live music, then listening to high quality music recordings, and eventually analyzing what makes up that music.

GO TO A CONCERT!

If you are reading this article in the summer time in your area, then you are very fortunate! Many communities all over the world feature live outdoor orchestral concerts during warm weather, that are often free and fun for families to attend together.

If you are reading this article in the winter time in your area, then you are likely to be able to take your child to an indoor orchestral concert, such as "The Nutcracker Suite," or "The Magic Flute", or  even "Swan Lake" or "Peter & the Wolf." 

So, ideally, children can attend a child-friendly orchestral concert as a wonderful hands-on introduction to The Orchestra. Then, the children have had a real experience with the sounds and excitement of a live performance of an orchestra, before exploring all the things that make up that performance.

Photo from Adobe Stock

MAKE MUSIC!

After hearing an orchestra in person, it's time for the children to make some music of their own. 

Provide high-quality rhythm instruments that a child can easily manipulate and create her own live music. Most every young child will spontaneously tap, or shake, or scrape a rhythm instrument with great joy! I always play along side the children so that they can see how much I, too enjoy making music with them. 

Photo by JJ Idarius Photography

Some of my favorite rhythm instruments are:

• Rhythm Sticks
• Finger Cymbals
• Chiquitas (small maracas)
• Single Bells
• Castanets

LISTEN TO RECORDINGS

Listening to orchestra music can be very engaging for young children. 

First, choose pieces that are lively and world-renowned. Famous orchestra music is famous for a reason. People though out the ages love listening to it. And, it is very likely that the children have already heard some of the most famous orchestra music, such as Beethoven's fifth!

Prepare the children by showing them how to sensitize their ears for listening. Rubbing the ears gently around the edges helps the child to focus on listening to the music.

Photo from Adobe Stock

Then, make sure the recorded music is actually orchestra instruments playing rather than synthesized instruments. Recordings of live performances are great, as well as recordings from famous orchestra groups such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 

My final rule of thumb is: play short excerpts for the children of no longer than one minute long!

Later, you can also play the recording as a "play-along" activity with the children playing their rhythm instruments.

Some of my favorite recordings are:

• Carnival of Animals, by Camille Saint-Saens
• The Best of Tchaikovsky, by Classical Kids
• Maestro Classics with London Philharmonic Orchestra

 FOCUS ON A CONCEPT

IN THE MUSIC

Children gain more cognitive benefits from early music experiences when the concepts in music are introduced in a playful manner. 

It is fun to listen for the part in the music when the instruments are playing loudly ("Forte") or quietly ("Piano"), or fast ("Presto") and slow ("Largo"). 

Also fun is listening for the Trumpet, or the Violin, and of course, the drums. Kettle drums are especially dynamic and fun!

My groups over the years have so enjoyed learning about the four instrument families: Brass, Strings, Woodwind, and Percussion. And, in the Montessori environment, the children can explore these instrument families in follow-up shelf works that present the families with hands-on, manipulative activities.

MONTESSORI 3-PART CARDS

Recently, I have begun to produce a series of 3-Part Cards that present the Orchestra and the Instrument Families. These materials are derived from my Musically Montessori eCourse, "Instruments of the Orchestra," and I am now making the cards available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. The first in the series is the "Introduction to the Orchestra." 

CLICK HERE to check them out:

HOW TO ENGAGE CHILDREN WITH THE 3-PART CARDS FOR INTRODUCING THE ORCHESTRA

~ After children have had experiences with listening to authentic Orchestra music (I suggest selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet), then you can invite them to play along with their rhythm instruments to some of the favorite selections. 

Some favorites are:

• "The Russian Dance" is very lively and fun.
• My children love the "Chinese Tea Dance" where the dancers pop out of the giant boxes of tea. 
• Another favorite is "The Spanish Chocolate Dance" with the exciting castanets! 

Photo from Adobe Stock

~ Next, during Group Time, you can show children pictures of an Orchestra, the Composer of the music, (example: Tchaikovsky) and other photos such as pictures of:

• A Musician from the Orchestra
• Sheet music
• Music Stand
• Someone composing music
• The Audience
• The Stage
• Performance of a ballet
• The Conductor
• The Conductor's baton
• The Orchestra Pit

~ From this experience, the children can then work with the 3-Part Cards that illustrate the ideas from the above exploration of The Orchestra.

~ After working with the 3-Part Cards, the children can make their own Montessori style Booklet: "My Orchestra Book," based on the pictures from the 3-Part Cards.

EXTENSIONS FOR 3-PART CARDS

1) Set up these as a "Memory Game" and play it with a small group of children

2) Use the 3-Part Cards to build the vocabulary words with the Moveable Alphabet

3) Match the cards over "long distance:" Lay out the set of control cards on the first table. Then place the working cards at another table across the room. Child fetches the matching working cards for each control card and completes the matching work at the first table.

4) Before the children enter the environment, hide the control cards around the room. Bring the children to Circle, and lay out the working cards on a rug and then find the labels and name each picture. Next, invite the children to go on a hunt to find the control cards that are hidden around the room and bring them over to match up with the working cards on the rug.

5) Play a matching game at Circle. Give each child either a Control card or a Working card. Then invite the children to find the person who has the card that matches theirs. 

Looking for more extension ideas to use Montessori 3-Part Cards?

I just received a lovely email from Katherine at "I Believe in Montessori" and she had more than a dozen ideas for having fun with 3-Part Cards.  

Join her email list here and you can check out her archive of posts, especially the one titled, "Are 3-part cards boring?"

You will find these 3-Part Cards and many more downloads along with dozens of Instructional videos in my eCourse, 

"Instruments of the Orchestra" 

In invite you to explore my suite of Musically Montessori eCourses 

at Trillium Montessori Courses

Did you know I have an eCourse for "Creating an Art Curriculum for Young Children"? At Trillium, of course!

Looking for more ideas for Montessori Music Activities? 

You can check out more of my Music Blog articles HERE.

Don't forget to check out my more than 30 free resources at my Subscribers Freebie Collection HERE!

Not yet a subscriber? 
You can join my email list on the sidebar of this blog post.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY EMAIL LIST

I am so happy to have you visit my Blog today! I hope you have gotten some ideas for lots of music fun with your group.

Advertising Disclosure: Magical Movement Company may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. Thanks for your support! 

View Post

Musically Montessori: Let's All Sing: "The Continents Song" with Ten Activities

DO YOUR MONTESSORI CHILDREN LOVE SINGING "THE CONTINENTS SONG" AS MUCH AS MY GROUPS DO? Here are ten fun extensions for creating learning experiences through Music and The Arts.

PREPARE THE CHILDREN

Fortunately, there are lots of materials in the Montessori pedagogy that lay a foundation for learning about the continents of the world through hands-on experiences with Manipulatives. 

There is the sandpaper land & water globe, the color-coded continent globe, and then the color-coded "Continents Map."  

Even if you don't have access to all of the Montessori Cultural Studies Materials, you can still offer children a Globe and Visuals of a World Map. 

REINFORCE THE NAMES OF THE CONTINENTS 

WITH A SONG

After the children have had lots of hands-on experiences with globes and puzzle maps, you can teach them "The Continents Song," while you point to each continent when its name comes up in the song.

There are lots of versions of "The Continents Song" that you will hear in Montessori classrooms all over the world. 

My groups have two favorites: one that is short and one that is long!

1. "The Continents Song" 

SHORT VERSION

I always introduce the short version to the children first. You can listen to my short version of the song at my Youtube channel HERE.

Eventually, you can introduce the children to the longer version, which is more repetitive and very fun rhythmically!

2. "The Continents Song"

LONG VERSION

Here's the YouTube video I created for the longer version of "The Continents Song."

PROVIDE EXTENSIONS FOR GROUP AND 

INDIVIDUALIZED ACTIVITIES

There are lots of fun musical extensions to reinforce the names of the continents of the world. 

One activity is to clap the rhythm of each of the names of the continents. 

In Lesson #11 of my Musically Montessori eCourse, "Let's All Sing: 15-Day Challenge," you will be able to download a set of rhythm notation and recitation cards for each of the Continents.

3. Clapping the Rhythm of the 

Names of the Continents

In that Lesson #11 from my Let's All Sing eCourse, you'll find lots of ideas for extensions along with downloadable Printables to bring the Lesson to the children through many of the areas of the Preschool curriculum, including:

1. Visuals of the Continents Map and Musical Notation Cards
2. Rhythm Pattern Cards for Movement Activities
3. Rhythm "Body Percussion"/ Command Cards
4. "Make Your Own Musical Map" Individualized Shelf Work
5. Picture Cards of rhythm instruments for creating a classroom "Performance"

Click here to learn more about the eCourse: "Let's All Sing eCourses."

MORE WAYS TO REINFORCE LEARNING ABOUT THE CONTINENTS OF THE WORLD

4. Greet children in the Language of the

Featured Country of Each Continent

"Jambo"

Saying "Hello" in Swahili, one of the languages of Africa, during 

our Cultural Studies of Africa

5. Provide Activities for Movement 

on the Montessori Line 

Give children baskets to carry, trays of tea cups, or flags for marching that reflect the lives of the people of your featured country or continent in your Cultural Studies Curriculum.

Here's one of my Blog Articles about this activity: "Musical Story for Preschoolers to Enjoy a Walk to the River."

6. Set up the Pattern on your Calendar Inserts 

that are the Cut-outs of the 7 Continents

I traced each continent from the Montessori Continents Puzzle Map, on color-coded paper, and then made calendar inserts, enough to create the pattern for the days of the month in which I first introduced "The Continents Song." You can sing the Short Version of the Song each morning so that the children can predict what comes next in the pattern.

7. Teach the Children Traditional Dances 

from the Country or Continent being Featured.

Providing long ribbons for children to dance the Chinese Ribbon Dance is a fun way to celebrate the continent of Asia. Put on some lively traditional music of China and invite the children to dance!

You can read about how I do this Activity with my groups HERE:

"Celebrating Chinese New Year with Ribbon Dancing for Little Children."

8. Create Stories for Dramatizing the Daily Activities of the People from the Country Being Featured   

This is a picture of children walking on a balance beam in our Drama Play Story of the "Alligator in the River" during our Cultural Studies of Africa. You can create stories for children to dramatize with Movement Activities, props, child-made stick puppets, masks, or with rhythm instruments that feature the country of study. 

You can see how I've created these stories for my groups in my Blog Articles:

~ "Little Children in the Rainforest"

~ "Africa-inspired Balance Beam Fun: Crossing the Bridge at Alligator Alley"

9. Create "Sandpaper Continents" for Each 

of the Continents of the World

As you introduce each of the continents in more depth over the months, you can set up a fun station for creating "Sandpaper Continent" cards. My groups have always greatly enjoyed this activity!

1. Provide a tray with pieces of cardboard, a pencil, glue stick, and colored sand in a shaker bottle. The sand is color-coded for each continent. 
2. The child chooses the continent to work with, then fetches that puzzle piece from the Montessori Continents Map.
3. Next, the child traces the shape of the continent on a piece of cardboard.
4. Then, s/he fills in the tracing with glue.
5. Now it is time to shake the sand onto the glue-filled shape.
6. After, the child has filled in the shape with the colored sand, then s/he can pour off the excess sand into a container to save for art projects.
7. Finally, the child (or teacher) can write the name of continent on the card.

10. Check Out My "Let's All Sing" eCourses 

or my TpT Continents Song Activity Packet 

CLICK HERE to learn more about my Musically Montessori "Let's All Sing" Free 5-Day Challenge and 15-Day Challenge  

CLICK HERE to learn more about my TpT Activity Packet, Musically Montessori "Let's All Sing" The Continents Song 

MORE RESOURCES

~ "Montessori-Inspired Continents Bundle" from Every Star Is Different 

~ Trillium Printables Full Packet (includes Continent Bundle) from Trillium Montessori Shop

~ Have you joined my mailing list? My subscribers have access to my 30+ free resources, including my "Musically Montessori First Lessons eBook." 

You can subscribe on the sidebar of this blog or scroll down if you are on a phone or tablet.

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST

I'm happy to see you here at my Blog today. I hope you have gotten some musical ideas for your children!

Photos in this Blog are from Adobe Stock, Depositphotos, and Magical Movement Company Archives.

Advertising Disclosure: Magical Movement Company may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. Thanks for your support! 

View Post