Lynn Kleiner's Music Box
Dear Music Box Friends,
Since I am teaching in Southern California, I might not see the changes of the seasons like many of you but I still get excited to bring out my favorite books, puppets and songs for autumn, including Halloween and Thanksgiving fun.I’ll highlight a few of my favorites and then if you have questions, go to the Forum at www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com and I’ll be happy to answer.
It is amazing that I still turn to my old In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music book and CD for all my seasonal favorites. That would be Five Little Leaves this time of year.Whether its toddlers throwing scarves, 6 year olds under the parachute or a beautiful Orff orchestration, this song is a hit year after year!How can I still love this song?Must be the repetition with variety!
I came across a book called When Autumn Falls by Kelli Nidey.This lists things that “fall” during this season.I have the children play from high to low on the Orff instruments, which are already set up in C pentatonic (remove the Fs and Bs) from working on Five Little Leaves.I say “leaves on the trees fall” as I drop different colored silk leaves and encourage the children to gently play from their highest note all the way to the lowest or biggest note.When the leaves are no longer falling, the playing must stop. Have them play from high to low again after you say each line of fall things that “fall.”Examples: football players fall, the temperature falls, children fall into piles of leaves, sunlight falls, rain falls!
I have several favorite fall books.At the top of my list is The Very Busy Spider.Get this free Music Box download to have the song and lesson plan. I love using all my animal puppets for this one. I have a full set of hand puppets for every animal in the story, including our adorable new goat and the amazing rooster. However, if you are not as crazy with your puppet collection as I am, you can easily make the finger puppets which are included in the lesson plan.
Speaking of puppets, the duck and turkey puppets are my favorite for teaching simple rhythms. The activity is in Four Fall Songs for Halloween and Thanksgiving in Downloads under Songs at www.lynnkleinersmusicbox.com. ATTENTION! If you purchased Rhythm Readers Lessons 5-10, you already have these songs so no need to download! The four songs include solo singing for pitch matching, creating lyrics, playing instruments, movement, a passing game and music vocabulary. These are long time annual favorites of mine for ages 3-8. Titles of songs: I have a little Pumpkin, Halloween is in October (the improved version), Turkeys and Ducks, November. The set of songs is $3.99. As always, if you have any questions about any of the activities, go to Ask Lynn Questions in the Forum.
"The Little Old Lady Who was not Afraid of Anything" is always a hit for sound effects and percussion. For puppets, books and other resources, use your Music Box discount coupon code when ordering from www.musicrhapsody.com.
Music Box members who have recently renewed their membership, thank you!Please remember your $20 download coupon certificate can only be used once so shop around and get your downloads all at once.
See you in the Box!
Lynn
Where would I find your ideas for Baby Classes that focus on the Christmas Season?
love
Amy