On the Day You Were Born

It's high school and college graduation time which can be a nostalgic time of year.  It makes me think of milestones my kids have made from the day they were born until now and makes me think of Lakeshore students moving on to middle school or leaving for other schools.  Here is a beautiful book called, On the Day You Were Born by Deborah Fraser read by Mary Alice Amidon accompanied by beautiful instrumental music.  I think all kids are precious and this book reaffirms how beautiful each of you are!  For parents:  Mary Alice & Peter Amidon have a wonderful website full of storytelling and musical activities for children.  Enjoy and happy trails, where ever you go! 

Ballet

Can you tell a story with no words, only using your body?  Dancers tell stories without using their voices to sing or speak.  Can you show emotion with your body?  How can you show the following emotions?  Stand up and give it a try:

• Move like you are upset
• Move like you are excited
• Move like you are scared
• Move like you are so happy you could burst
• Move like you are angry
• Move like you are calm
• Move like you are frustrated
• Move like you are content
• Move like you are telling a story

Composers have written music for dancers to tell stories.  There is a classical dance tradition called ballet.  A famous ballet we study in 2nd grade is the Nutcracker Ballet.  Some of you might remember studying it!  Here's is a story called Firebird written by a famous ballet dancer named Misty Copeland.  Firebird is a ballet by Igor Stravinsky in which Misty Copeland danced the Firebird role.

After listening to the story, watch this video about the author Misty Copeland!  Ballerinas are extreme athletes.  They work out all day long and are in terrific shape.

Google Doodle

Here's a fun google doodle about Mbira- a musical instrument from the Shona people in Zimbabwe Africa.  You can listen and even try to play it.  It's very cool!  Enjoy.   Mbira Google Doodle

Can Can

Do you like to dance the Can Can?  It's a famous dancing song.  So you have a choice, you can dance and create your own moves or copy the can can with cans!  Click below:)

Rainstorm Activity

💦Create a rainstorm with sounds you can create with your voice, body, or items around your house!  First, experiment with rainstorm ideas, use body percussion to explore pitter patter sounds of raindrops, pouring rain, thunder and lightning.  You can add wind sounds and a sign of a rainbow!

After you experiment with rain sounds, draw a picture of what is happening in your rainstorm.  You can make one big picture, or a conductor's score (a storybook) that describe with words or pictures what is happening in that section (page) of the rainstorm.

Order idea:
1. Wind, birds chirping, gradually leading into...
2. Light raindrops💧, stronger wind, 💨 gradually leading into...
3. Heavy rain,💦 then...
4. Occasional thunder and lightning ⛈ 💨(maybe strong winds too?)
5. Wind dies down a bit, heavy rain continues, thunder and lightning fade away
6. Light rain 💧
7. Rain ending and sun💥 coming out, birds chirping and a rainbow🌈!

You could try this as a “one man band” (all by yourself) or with family members being assigned different roles of the sound story.  You could point to the card you are performing or have a family member hold the cards for you and flip them when it’s time to move onto the next section.

Music Teachers miss you!

We created a video for the ECASD.  You get a sneak peek, the district will be sending this out to families soon!   Music teacher video  Miss making music with you!

Scat Singing

Hi Boys and Girls-  Are you singing every day?  This is a book about Louis Armstrong and scatting!  What is scat singing?  Listen to the story and you'll know!  When Louis Armstrong Taught Me to Scat by Muriel Harris Weinstein.  If you want to hear how Louis sounded when he scatted watch the video below!  Now you should try it.  Can you scat sing while you are playing?  You can grab a toy to scat sing with too!

 

Move It

Do you remember doing Move It! in the music room?  I love moving to classical music and seeing you experience it too!  Do any of you like baseball?  Do you know that the 3rd base coach gives signs to the players telling them strategies to run, wait, bunt or steal?  In this move it, a music teacher is using baseball signs!  I think you'll like doing it with him.  Enjoy!  Do you know what the name of the piece is?  Let me know!   Baseball Move It.

Rhythm Band

Here is a rhythm band idea.  Play a song that you can feel a steady beat.  I like to use Lyle Lovett's "Long Tall Texan."  

Keep a steady beat by counting 1, 2, 3, 4 over and over again.  How about playing with a friend?  Use the chart below to play along.  Wait?  What if you don't have a tambourine, sticks, triangle or drums at home?  What could you use?  See below for ideas.

• I think the tambourine is tricky, you want to find a metallic shaky ringing sound.  You could put washers, nuts, bolts or screws in a plastic Easter egg!
• For sticks use two wooden spoons and hit them together.
• To get a metallic ringing sound, like a triangle, try hitting silverware together.
• Drums are fun!  You could use a box with the wooden spoon as a mallet, the bottom of a pan or even an empty ice cream bucket.

To make your own homemade instruments, there are several websites to check out.  Here are two to get you started!  Red Tricycle Homemade instruments and Nancy's Homemade instruments.