Time for Turkey

A Turkey is a funny bird

His head goes wobble wobble

He knows just one funny word

Gobble gobble gobble!

Ah, yes!  My younger students sing their little hearts out while strutting around the music room like the finest turkeys around.  

In addition to the excellent bird imitations I've seen over the last couple of weeks, we've been practicing the poem, "T is for Turkey."  It's a great tool to use for practicing voice inflection and recitation.  The poem goes through each letter of the word "Thanksgiving."  Try it in class or even use it for a program/feast.

 

"Leaves" (fall colored scarves) were the new highlight this week in music.  I taught the song, "Autumn Leaves are Falling", and added the leaves for effect.  Students tossed their scarves up in the air on the strong beat and watched as they fell gently to the ground.  It was a nice way to assess whether or not the children understand and feel the beat.  Not only that, but it sure does look cool when all the leaves are falling down :)  In the end, I demonstrated how to fold their scarves and put them up nicely.  Next week, I'll introduce Orff instruments to the song.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Halloween Fun

Well, October has gotten away from me.  Busyness has taken over and time is flying.   At any rate, here's a recap of my Halloween season in a nut shell.


First and Second graders had fun with "centers" where they practiced rhythms and melodic notation using manipulatives and technology.  They enjoyed working together in small groups and rotating through 4 different activities.

"Witch, Witch" was a huge favorite this season among all grade levels.  We played several times each class period for a couple of weeks.  All children were given a penny to act out the song, and the student who wore the witch hat was the soloist for that round.  Little did they know, while the kids were having fun playing, I was given the opportunity to assess each child in their singing skills.

This year, for my school's Fall Festival, my 1st and 2nd Graders presented the musical, SQUIRM!  Though I approached it with a minimalistic attitude with respect to costuming and set design, the kids had a blast and performed really well.  It was a big hit among the families to see their little one's on stage.

A Super-Sweet Deal!

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those who always looks for a bargain when I'm out shopping.  As a music teacher, my head is on the constant swivel for little treasures that I can bring into my classroom.  Target has some of the coolest dollar bins around, so I just happened upon some cute little pumpkins and erasers when I was out yesterday.

 

Of course, I could not pass up these great little "finds."  They will work perfectly for my little ones who are practicing high/low and sol/mi.  I'll just whip out my handy dandy staves and let the kids have fun with manipulatives.  

If I put some erasers inside each pumpkin, the students will enjoy their little jack-o-lantern carrier and the fun "treats" inside.  Yea!  I can't wait to try this fun activity.  Something else I might try is using the erasers on a beat sheet.  One could represent a "ta" and two could stand for "titi."  Oh the possibilities are endless.

In other news, I am currently working on a candy corn activity to use with my older students.  Be on the lookout over the next couple of days for it to be available.  It'll be free on TpT for the first day.  Follow me on Facebook for notifications!

 

 

And so Halloween begins on this Music-Go-Round!