Carolyn's Vlog 2: Pygmy Forest, Pomeranian doggie, Mozart, and Picasso

PREPARATION IS A KEY INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESSFUL MONTESSORI LESSONS 

Carolyn's Vlog 2 from Magical Movement Company.com

Preparing

Welcome to my second Vlog in my Vlogging Series about Music, The Arts, Outdoor Classroom, Kids, Little doggies, and the Pygmy Forest.  Just a few of my most favorite things!

How do you prepare for your day? And especially how do you get inspired for your work with children in the Montessori setting, the Home setting, or wherever you spend time with kids?

Here is my Vlog 2: "Pygmy Forest, Pomeranian doggie, Mozart and Picasso"

 

Often, I need to go out and explore my beautiful neighborhood with my little Pomeranian doggie first thing in the morning and there I find so much inspiration for my work with children. 

CLAY

In this Vlog, we take a walk on my "Pygmy Path" through the unique Pygmy forest near my house. There, walking on the forest floor of hardpan clay, I remember how much I love introducing clay to children. My favorite artist for first experiences with clay is Picasso. (Actually, Picasso is my favorite artist for introducing just about every medium in art to children!)

             Image from Adobe stock: "Picasso's Ceramics." National Picasso Museum, Vallauris, France 

STEADY BEAT

As well, when we got the rhythm of our walking together, my doggie Gigi reminded me of how the music concept of "Steady Beat" naturally lends itself to the walking rhythm of a quick adventure walk in the morning. We just naturally tend to walk in a steady rhythm and so we find that real experiences effectively lay the foundation for more in depth and formal lessons in music concepts as well as the elements of art.

These activities, "Exploring Steady Beat" with Mozart's music, and "Introducing Clay" with Picasso's Art,  are explained more thoroughly in my Musically Montessori eCourses and my Artfully Montessori eCourse now available at the Trillium Montessori site. 

Join my email list and access 30+ free digital activity packets, including my Musically Montessori eBook.

Thank you again for visiting with me today. I hope you enjoy my Vlog 2 at my Youtube channel. 

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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.

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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! 

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Musically Montessori: Start the First Days with Songs! The Importance of the Hand

ARE YOU USING LITTLE SONGS TO CREATE A POSITIVE START TO YOUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR?

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There are childhood songs for just about every part of the day. And children respond to these sweet little songs in their usual adorable ways. 

This post is the first of my Musically Montessori series...

The seasoned teacher already knows that when you sing about what you want the children to do next (ex: "It's Clean Up Time" song), the children will do what you want just about every time! 

In my Montessori training, I learned a wonderful word/phrase for using song to get the message across: "musical messages." You can usually think of a nursery song, play a recording of a song, or simply make up a simple song on the spot that will guide the children to do what is needed to be done. 

So, if you're not using songs and music to help create your lovely little learning community from the very start, you might like to try  some of the ideas I have written about here. My groups have thrived on these musical activities year after year, and they work so well in the first weeks of school. 

 "A child who has become master of his (her) acts
  through long and repeated exercises, and who
 has been encouraged by the pleasant and
 interesting activities in which (s)he has been 
 engaged, is a child filled with health and joy and
 remarkable for his calmness and discipline." (Dr.
 Maria Montessori, 'The Discovery of the Child') 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HAND

photo credit

One of the first things we teach children when they enter Preschool is how to wash their hands.

One of the most versatile nursery songs I know is the melody from "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." 

You can adapt this song for your environment to teach the children how to wash hands, prepare for snack, put away activities, line up for transitions...the list goes on and on.

photo credit

Here is a way to create a song that teaches the children in your group the procedure of washing hands in your environment.

1) Decide on the procedure/sequence for your children to wash their hands (ex: turn on the water> wet your hands> turn water off> dispense the soap> rub hands together (make bubbles)>  turn water on>  rinse the soap off hands> turn water off> choose paper towel> dry hands> throw the towel away.)

  

2) Create the song for doing the activity:

(Sung to the Mulberry Bush Song melody while demonstrating the motions of each line of the song.)

"This is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands.

This is the way we wash our hands, before we eat our snack.

This is the way we turn on the water, turn on the water, turn on the water.

This is the way we turn on the water, before we eat our snack.

This is the way we wet our hands, wet our hands, wet our hands.

This is the way we wet our hands, before we eat our snack.

This is the way we squirt the soap, squirt the soap...etc."

3) EXTENSION: Instead of singing the words, hum them while you go through the various motions of each step of the process.

Another important lesson in the Montessori environment is the art of shaking hands. This is part of the lovely Grace & Courtesy Curriculum in the Montessori pedagogy.

The first time the child is introduced to this foundational lesson is when the child meets her teacher for the first time. 

Next, the teacher will demonstrate how to shake hands and greet someone in a group lesson at Circle Time.

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In the Montessori Preschool classroom, my groups have always enjoyed shaking hands with each other, too. Often, we have a hello song to go along with shaking hands to begin our day. 

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In past years, I have gone around the Morning Circle and shook hands with each child while singing a morning greeting song. Here is the link to one of my favorite Good Morning Songs.

Here, you can sing your favorite traditional greeting or even sing a song about shaking hands. 

You can try this little song I sing for two children shaking hands together.

(Sung to the melody of the song, "Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands")

  

"Shake, shake, shake your hands

Shake your hands together.

Shake, shake, shake your hands

Shake your hands like this!"  

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Shaking hands is one of my favorite parts of the school day. 

Another way to incorporate shaking hands into your daily Preschool routine is to have a "Greeter" who shakes hands with each child as they enter the classroom.

I have always started out as being the "Greeter" myself. Then, after a few weeks, one of the children is the "Greeter" each day. 

When young children become accustomed to shaking hands as a greeting routine, it becomes an automatic part of meeting anyone new.

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Shaking hands when meeting someone is a lovely tradition that is often practiced all over the world. 

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Being introduced to this important courtesy through songs during early childhood gives children not only practice with an important skill, but also provides warm memories of their first days in a school environment.  

My conclusion for the first days of school: 

"When in doubt...sing!"

If you are looking for ideas for starting your school year with a lovely Montessori music curriculum, I invite you to check out my Musically Montessori resources.

Magical Movement Company Teachers Pay Teachers Shop

Musically Montessori eCourses

Artfully Montessori eCourse

Subscribers Freebie Collection

My Pinterest Boards

Thank you again for visiting my Blog today and I hope you have gotten some fun ideas for a musical start to the school year!

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Musically Montessori: Make Way for Music! Preparing Your Preschool Music Curriculum

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET NOW, READY TO SING...MOVE...PRACTICE...MASTER MUSIC! 

One of the best ways to prepare your Montessori preschool curriculum & learning environment for the upcoming school year is to take a training.

Of course, I am going to recommend taking a music workshop or an on-line training! 

BUT...WAIT A MINUTE...

How about a fabulous deal where you can join a community of Montessori educators who are sharing ideas about organizing their classrooms for the upcoming school year AND get a wonderful 30-minute Montessori Music mini-training from me?!

It's all in this amazing 21-day Bootcamp at Trillium Montessori Courses:

 HOW I AM PREPARING FOR MY MUSICALLY MONTESSORI SCHOOL YEAR

GETTING INSPIRATION: 

Taking and teaching music workshops

I recently completed a one-hour  on-line music workshop at Age of Montessori and I learned at least half a dozen new things I can incorporate into my preparations for the upcoming year of Montessori Music Activities for my Preschool groups. 

And, that recent on-line music workshop got my creative juices activated for the annual AMS Music Workshop that I presented last month at Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education Training Program. 

While preparing to  present my recent AMS music training with FMAE, I was re-energized to do some more reading about Montessori's music curriculum that was developed by her colleague, Maria Maccheroni: Montessori and Music Education

Then, I dug into one of my favorite books that I obtained many years ago that was one of the original inspirations for my own Montessori Classroom Curriculum. This is an amazing PhD project by Karen Miller published in the 1980's, and I go back to it every year for even more ideas for music in the Montessori pedagogy. The Montessori Music Curriculum for Children up to Age Six.

GETTING ORGANIZED: 

Going to "Bootcamp!"

Now, after all my inspiring summer Montessori Music experiences and research, I am itching to not only set up my music Activities for the upcoming school year, I am also acutely in need of re-organinzing all my materials for teaching. (And, I have tons of materials!) 

Two years ago I enrolled in Seemi's on-line Montessori Classroom Bootcamp with the idea that I would check it out since I had been recommending it to my student/interns in the AMS training programs where I taught. 

To my delight, I got a gazillion new ideas for simple organizing strategies and techniques for me as a Montessori music specialist! 

These days, I don't teach in one Montessori classroom, but rather I travel around weekly to more than 25 Montessori preschool/lower elementary classrooms in the SF Bay Area as a music specialist. 

However, after decades of being a classroom teacher, I still get the "hankering" in late summer to re-organize, repair, take inventory, buy new supplies, and set up what I need for the year in an organized fashion.  

And, that's what I continue to do each year! 

However, I only have my tiny studio space (set up for making my eCourse videos) where I have a staging room, a small office, and my storage. And, nowadays I am working alone. 

GETTING SUPPORT: 

Joining the Montessori Community on the world-wide web who are also organizing and setting up

So, first off, when I joined Seemi's Bootcamp, I got to join in with lots of Montessori educators from around the world who were all excitedly sharing experiences and photos on the FB page for the Bootcamp eCourse. 

All of a sudden I had a COMMUNITY of folks who were re-organizing, preparing, taking inventory, buying new supplies, and setting up their organization system, JUST LIKE I WAS DOING!

It was almost like those Prep weeks during years past when I was setting up my classroom as a Montessori Preschool teacher! 

Just what I needed.

So, I am looking forward to joining, once again, the other Montessorians world-wide who will be participating in Seemi's Bootcamp 2018! 

GETTING EXPERT TIPS & STRATEGIES:

Seemi Abdulah brings together & shares her amazing skills in effective organizing 

Here are just a few of Seemi's ideas I have found helpful:

~ "Shelf maps" (Seemi's unique concept complete with a download to make your own shelf maps for your environment)

~ Covering inexpensive bankers boxes (for storage) with some nicely designed contact paper so that you can even have these in your classroom and they are not an eyesore, but rather, a lovely corner

~ Her use of a labeler machine to make EVERYTHING easy to read and keep organized

~ Creating a Cultural Studies Calendar: "Year-at-a-Glance Grid" that you can look at in a glance, as well as keeping extensive individual plans for each cultural unit (another handy set of downloads)

I INVITE YOU TO CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF  

This year, I have been invited to be an affiliate in marketing this "go-to" eCourse for setting up your Montessori environment. When you use this link to explore and possibly enroll in Seemi's eCourse, I will be receive a monetary compensation: Montessori Classroom Setup Bootcamp at Trillium Montessori Courses. (Thank you very much for your support!)

Oh, and Seemi has included a section in the Bootcamp for setting up your Montessori Music shelf! So, you will come out of this eCourse with a beautiful, comprehensive, and fully authentic Montessori environment for your group.

BOOTCAMP WEEK #2: 

"SENSORIAL AREA BONUS"...MUSIC!

A very special "training-within-a-training" is waiting for you in Module 2 (Sensorial Learning) in the Bootcamp eCourse! 

It is an entire 30 minute segment during the second week with a portion of my Montessori music presentation from Trillium Montessori On-line Summit (2016) and so you will get a little mini training from me for creating and implementing your Montessori Music Curriculum to enhance your Sensorial and Cultural Activities.

Have you checked out my Subscribers Freebie Collection recently? 

I've added a few new resources over the Summer. They are waiting for you to create and place on your Montessori Music Shelf to celebrate the beginning of a new school year!

If you haven't joined my Subscribers list so that you can access my Freebie Collection, it is easy to do right here on this Blog, at the sidebar or scroll down!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

I invite you to explore my suite of Musically Montessori eCourses 

at Trillium Montessori Courses

And my newest eCourse, 

"Creating an Art Curriculum for Young Children" 

Thank you for visiting my Blog today. I hope you you have gotten inspired for the new school year, right around the corner!

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click on them you have no obligation to purchase and your information will not be collected. If you do purchase through the link, I will receive a compensation (Thank you very much!) and your purchasing  information will be securely collected at the site where you make the purchase.  When you subscribe to my email list, my platform, MailChimp will be securely storing your email information so that I can send you my newsletters and occasional notices of my special sales and newest free resources.  

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