This week in MusicEd Blogs we are focusing on Lesson Planning and Curriculum Design. I have a couple of lesson ideas to share with you that I use with certain books in my library. I hope something here inspires you in your own classroom.
For Kindergarten.
I've had this book for a few years and have always enjoyed using it. Its a cute book that comes with a CD of the song sung by Neil Sedaka along with one of his grandchildren. You guessed it! Its based on the song "Breaking Up is Hard to Do." This year I had it out to use but had to be out of the building so I put together this activity for students to do with the sub. Of course this activity could work with first graders as well.
I've had this book for a few years and have always enjoyed using it. Its a cute book that comes with a CD of the song sung by Neil Sedaka along with one of his grandchildren. You guessed it! Its based on the song "Breaking Up is Hard to Do." This year I had it out to use but had to be out of the building so I put together this activity for students to do with the sub. Of course this activity could work with first graders as well.
For the activity I thought how fun and funny it would be to draw a picture of what we look like when we wake up. Here is my sample picture that I made to show students what to do. Teacher Tip! Its always a good idea to create a sample of the work you expect students to do. This way those who are more global and less detail oriented get the "big picture" before they begin.
For Third Grade
Each winter I plan a unit for third grade covering the String family of the orchestra. I love to share children's books that connect to each instrument as we study it. I have most of the family covered with a great book. (Still looking for a book about the viola and the harp.) When we get to the cello I have two books I like to use. The first is "The Voice of the Wood" by Claude Clement. It is a beautiful book that is magical. I usually play Saint-Saen's "The Swan" as I read the story. It is a great listening experience.
Each winter I plan a unit for third grade covering the String family of the orchestra. I love to share children's books that connect to each instrument as we study it. I have most of the family covered with a great book. (Still looking for a book about the viola and the harp.) When we get to the cello I have two books I like to use. The first is "The Voice of the Wood" by Claude Clement. It is a beautiful book that is magical. I usually play Saint-Saen's "The Swan" as I read the story. It is a great listening experience.
The other book I like to use is "There Was a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello." This is the focus of my sharing here. I use this fun activity to go with the book however instead of the many various instruments from different families included in the story, my shy fellow only eats instruments of the string family. Of course once we have completed the project we sing the song adapting the lyrics to talk about the string family. The kids love it and they enjoy seeing their work in later years when they add work to their portfolios.
Finally, check back later at Musical Gems blog for my next post "Partners in Crime and Collaboration-Part2" (musicalgems.weebly.com) that also fits in with the theme of this post. I will be sharing ideas for planning a unit based on the book, Pictures at an Exhibition by Anna Harwell Celenza.
Mark @ Musical Gems
Mark @ Musical Gems
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