Summer Book Haul #1

One thing I love to do over summer break is visit all the thrift stores in town and sort through their children’s book section. I love having my own classroom library, and one of my biggest goals the past few years has been to add to it. I have a pretty good idea of what the book could be used for as I buy it. (Here’s a post on what I look for in books.) I don’t have complete lessons for these books yet, since I just got them, but I’ll post what they are and my ballpark of what they could be used for, as well as amazon links if you want to check them out.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Eric Litwin

I’m kind of shocked I don’t have this one yet. The lesson has definitely made the internet rounds, and there’s a great Youtube video here with an extensive handout linked in the comments. One thing you could add is changing the dynamics or tempo for each color. You could also use it with older students for a lesson on theme and variation.

Over in the Garden, Jennifer Ward

This is a counting book with bugs. Each bug has a different locomotor movement. This book could be used solely for movement, you could add instruments, or you could split the class and do both. Bug finger puppets (or craft sticks with pictures of bugs on them) could be fun, though you would need a lot of them.

Going to Sleep on the Farm, Wendy Cheyette Lewison

This book explores farm animals and how they sleep, so lullabies would be very easy to tie-in.

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Dr. Seuss

The book calls itself a “book of wonderful noises,” and it definitely delivers on that. Each page is a new sound effect, which is just begging to have those sounds transferred to instruments. I think I know what Kindergarten will be doing for Dr. Suess week!

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything, Linda Williams

Spooky enough for Halloween without actually saying anything about Halloween, this book is an add-on adventure with loads of sound effects. Eventually all the noisy parts following the old lady around make a scarecrow.

Caps for Sale, Esphyr Slobodkina

An oldie but goodie first published in 1940, this book follows a sleepy cap salesman who has a run-in with monkeys. He has 5 different types of hats, and the monkeys love to copy what he does. There are several things you could do with this book. Kids could echo with instruments or voice, be split into cap-groups for improvisation, or learn form using the caps/cap manipulatives. It could easily be adapted for a program as well.

Oh No, George! Chris Haughton

Similar to the Bad Kitty series, this book is a bit more accessible for music because George does one bad thing at a time. There are several repeated phrases, so it would be easy to create a song or two to go with this book.

Dinosaurumpus, Tony Mitton

This book features several dinosaurs movin’ and groovin’ and an obvious refrain that is begging to have a pentatonic melody. Movement could be a focus, as well as singing and playing the refrain.

Too Many Rabbits, Kay Cooper

This is a book of very short stories and poems with hand movements. It would be easy to add a melody to them, or have students add a melody to them. There are several about weather (rain and thunder is particular) that would work well with non-pitched instruments.

I’m Tyrannosaurus, Jean Marzallo

Animal Snackers, Betsy Lewin

 

Both of these books are collections of short poems. I love collecting poem collection whenever I can, because they can be great fun to transfer to drums. You can also have students use them as a base for composition. I like to isolate pitch or rhythm when students first compose so they don’t get overwhelmed, and a given poem is a great way to have students focus on pitch.

I hope you have fun finding the perfect book (or books!) for your kiddos!

Reasons the Dollar Tree is My Friend (Part 2)

Hurrah for summer! With at least a little more time on my hands than usual, it’s a good time to think about classroom crafts and organization. And that, for me, means a trip to the good ol’ Dollar Tree. I decided to take pictures while I was there of things I use in my classroom. It’s amazing how many of my favorite things come from the dollar store! Man, I love Dollar Tree. (I love it so much this isn’t my first post about dollar store loot. See part one here.)

  

 

Tubs, baskets, and containers

I love these things! This is, in my opinion, my favorite category of things at the Dollar Tree. I see no reason to pay $5 for a simple plastic basket when there are great ones for a buck! There are so many things to organize in a classroom, and so many options to help you get it done. I like using the larger tubs with lids to hold stations. Mid-size tubs are used to store manipulatives so I can find them easily, and small tubs are used to store a small amount of manipulatives (like rhythm dice or flash cards) within a station tub. I used to use plastic bags for everything, but kids tend to destroy them quickly if they are in a station. Baskets are great for use in a classroom library, and shower caddies are handy for storing materials for group work. All of my non-pitched percussion instruments are stored in baskets from Dollar Tree, as well.

Splash Ring

Summer is the best time to buy them, and they make great drums.

Foam Counting Blocks

Music dice are a great summer craft project. I have rhythm dice for every grade, as well as pentatonic dice (do is on there twice). They are great for chance music, identification games, and stations. Rhythm dice are featured in this post about rhythm manipulatives, if you would like more ideas.

Reusable Dry Erase Pockets

Thicker than plastic sleeves, these last longer and are built to better withstand the abuse of being in the hands of a 7-year-old. If your copy budget is stretched thin, these can come in very handy.

Puppets

I love dollar store puppets because I then feel no panic about letting kids lead singing games that involve them. They love the opportunity to use the puppet, so I usually let the child have a turn after they solo sing. Even my shy kiddos are more likely to open up if they get to walk around with a lion on their hand afterwards.

Magnetic Classroom Spinner

I’ve seen all these fancy tempo and dynamic spinners on Pinterest that take skills and time to make or money to buy… write a simple one on your magnetic whiteboard, add one of these babies and BOOM. Instant spinner.

Self-stick Flags

I like to color code mine in my favorite resources so I can easily find primary and intermediate songs. It’s less messy than the “use a ripped-up post-it” method I used to favor.

Craft Sticks

Color code them for a quick multiple response strategy (“If you hear a largo tempo put up a blue stick, if you hear an allegro tempo put up a green stick,” etc.) or use them as representative notation for rhythm, as seen here.

Foam Stickers

These things are GOLD. Easy and simple rewards that go a long way!

Wands

Wands are another great manipulative for solo singing, and one that can be customized to fit the activity. One of the first Kinder solo singing exercises we do is to sing our wishes to a wishing wand. It’s a challenge to find one that isn’t too girly. I might have to go back and get the dinosaur one, it cracked me up!

Pinwheels

When teaching recorder, I give kids a pinwheel and tell them to blow. They go crazy. Then we work on slowing down the air. The pinwheel is a good visual, and as a bonus it doesn’t squeak!

That leads to the last must-have item from the Dollar Tree…

Just kidding. Those recorders are TERRIBLE. The jump ropes can be good for vocal exploration, though. Just lay them on the floor and have kids follow the contour with their voice. I’ve also paired that activity with the book The Squiggle. 

Have fun at the dollar store!