Red Balloons #4

 

NEED TO KNOW

Red Balloons #4: Your Red Balloons are so much fun! They are totally getting the swing of class, homework, and new music friends. They are seriously adorable. And really good at answering "AUDIATION" as the answer to every question! At least I know something is sinking in!

HOMEWORK HELP: This week's homework is matching up animal outlines to their rhythm clapping for Barnyard Boogie. If you need help, look at the number of syllables of the words each animal is saying, and that can match up to the rhythm of the clapping on the right. The little hands are faster clapping, the bigger hands are slower clapping. Here is a link to the answer key to the homework pages if you want a visual. The QR code on the back of the Workbook will also take you to this page.

SOUNDTRACK LISTENING: Now that we're in the rhythm of classes, I want to make that you're able to listen to the recordings. Listening, learning, and singing the songs outside of class makes a HUGE difference in concept understanding and class enjoyment. Kind of like knowing all the good songs when you go to a concert. Let me know if something isn't working with the app or the digital downloads and I'll troubleshoot with you.

PARENT WEEK AND TUITION DUE: Just a reminder that next week is Parent Week and the next tuition installment is due. I will send an invoice through Wave this week. If you don't get one, it means that you've already paid for this portion. Thank you!

GOOD TO KNOW

HICKETY PICKETY: Check out this skills video to see the new way we sang/played this song in class! 

AUTOHARP: Playing the autoharp helps the students gain strength in their hands, helps them to "anticipate" the beat when they strum the strings, and primes their brain to do different right-hand and left-hand movements. It's perfect prepwork for playing the piano! 

*The homework booklet can simulate an autoharp for at-home play. They are designed with chord maps in the reference section (on pages 66-69) to be practiced by using the right hand pointer finger on the autoharp buttons, and using the left hand to strum the spine of the book while singing like we have done in class.

*You can play a digital autoharp through the Let's Play Music app by clicking on the two notes in the bottom left corner. Select the Autoharp feature, then push a red, blue, or yellow triangle, and "strum" the strings slowly from bottom to top. You can toggle from C Major/F Major/major-minor by clicking on the drop down menu in the upper right corner. 

*And if you'd like to know more, here is an awesome video showing the ins and outs of the autoharp!

PUPPET SHOWS: Some of your students asked about having puppets to use at home. These are posted on the website's 1st Year page, under "Puppet Shows." Here is a link to that. Our current show is called "Magic Lamp." 

FUN TO KNOW

BALLOONS ON WIRES: During our discussion about balloons on and between the lines, I showed the kids how a stick can go right through a balloon without popping it. Full disclosure: it did not work in the 11:00 class. BUT it DID work in the 12:30 class! Tell your 11:00 students that we'll do it right in class next week. Check out a video of it here!

Red Balloons #3

NEED TO KNOW

Red Balloons #3: Thanks to all the grownups that came to class this week! Thanks for participating and enjoying your time together with your students. What a gift to spend quality time with these children, bonding and creating fun music memories!

HOMEWORK HELP: The Let's Play Music company has a "Homework Booklet Answer Key" page. Check it out any time you wonder about the homework assignment or just want to make sure you're doing it right! You can get there by scanning the QR code on the back of the homework booklet, or by following this link. That will take you to a page with Skills Videos, and at the very top it has a few links: one to purchase access to full class videos, and another to access theory answer keys. Click on the "1st Year" link and you're there!

NEXT WEEK: Next week is another kid-only day, so drop them off with their workbook and be ready to get them in 45 minutes!

GOOD TO KNOW

BARNYARD BOOGIE: This peppy song is even more fun when you realize we are imitating and identifying complex rhythmic patterns! Start with clapping them slowly like we did in class, and soon your students will clap them correctly at the speed the recording does it!

STAFF AWARENESS: We started identifying lines and spaces on the staff. They are going to be masters of how the staff works! Next year when we start to add things to the staff like clefs, rhythms, and key signatures, their brains will already have the structure and function of the staff solidified, and the rest is like icing on a cake!

PLAYING AN OSTINATO ON THE BELLS: An ostinato is a repeated musical pattern that is played at the same time as a separate melody. We did this today as we played DO SOL on the bells while singing the song "Hear How the Bells." Our ears are getting SOL smart!

FUN TO KNOW

I love this comedy routine from the show "Bring the Funny" a few years back. It goes along so well with our discussion of balloons in the wires! Enjoy it here. The balloon guy even has red shoes and red tape to be like our RED BALLOONS!

Red Balloons #2

  

NEED TO KNOW

Red Balloons #2: Your Red Balloons were amazing this week! They were so brave to come without a grownup, and all of them participated with excitement. We're looking forward to having grownups back next week!

HOMEWORK HELP: This week's homework is kind of tricky. It seems to me that the kids should get more than two weeks to learn all of the hand signs! But there is help! Check out page 55 in the Reference Section of the homework booklet.

MISSING CLASSES: Life happens and sometimes you miss class. It's no biggie! There is a lot of repetition built into the classes and your student will be just fine. But if you miss a class (or a bunch of classes) for whatever reason and want to do a makeup, you can purchase access to those classes produced for the LPM Online program. You can read more about that at this link. I will suggest using these if you end up missing three or more classes in a row, but overall they're only if you want more exposure. But I do want you to be aware of the option! 

GOOD TO KNOW

HEAR HOW THE BELLS: We are teaching your student to hear harmony by combining the singing part with the bell part. The opposition to the melody (the bells vs the singing) trains the ear in beautiful ways! 

AUDIATION: Audiate means to hear music "inside" when there is no sound actually present ("singing with your brain but not your mouth, hearing with your brain but not your ears"). Audiation is the first step to singing in harmony, performing different rhythms, playing correct chords, composing a song, etc! It's a vital piece to developing a complete musician.

SOLFEGE: Solfege! It's a BIG deal! It can help your student (and you!) understand music in a deeper way. Check out the background of solfege at this blog post. This is good stuff and one of my favorite geek-out topics!

FUN TO KNOW

THREE BLIND MICE: We use folk songs regularly in LPM. Folk songs have been around for long enough that there are variations on the tune and the words. You can check out the benefits of singing folk songs in child development at this blog post. It includes a discussion of Three Blind Mice, and this old storybook published ages ago (there's no date that I can find but it's old) that explains how the mice first became blind, what they were doing in the farmhouse to begin with, and it also gives the mice a happy ending, so it might help some of our more tender-hearted students.

Red Balloons #1

NEED TO KNOW

Red Balloons #1: What great classes we had this week! Seriously so much fun!! Thanks to all the grownups to came to support your students. Thank you for singing along and doing the actions during class. When they see that you enjoy music, they will too!

STUDENT ONLY DAY NEXT WEEK: Parents don't come to class next week, which means totes and bells don't either. Just send your kids in with their homework booklet (no bells and no bag) and they will be ready 45 minutes later.

*If your student is nervous about coming to class without you, please don't force the issue. Tender little souls might put up some major blocks and end up dreading class because they're so anxious about time alone. Do what works for your family. If that's having you sit on my front swing or in my front room during class, that's fine. If that's having you come upstairs and sit in my loft area, that's fine. If that's having you sit on my couch in class or even with your child at the start, that's fine too. I'm used to working with anxiety-ridden kiddos (my own!) and totally get the give and take that it requires. When kids in class on non-parent days are worried and/or crying, I have them sit next to me and be a special helper, and they are usually fine long before class is over. It's a great step in independence.

ADDITIONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES: You aren't the only one who loves your kid! If there are other people (dads, grandmas, aunts, anybody! ...especially those who may come to class on Parent Day or who may help at home) who would like to be getting the updates about class, please let me know! I can add emails addresses or text numbers to the existing groups. Just send me a text or email with the info!

CDs: I did not get this done before class, but if you requested a CD on your Parent Orientation form, I'll have one ready for your kid next week.

PRACTICE THOUGHTS: During 1st Year, the practice process is all about fun and ongoing exposure through play. Put out the bells and let your child play with them. Listen to the music every day in a natural way (in the car, background music during playtime, etc). Once a week sit down and do the theory activity page. That's it! A piece of cake!

TUITION: Thank you for paying tuition! If you didn't get it in, I'll send a reminder and/or venmo request. I sent receipts for tuition payments. If you need one and didn't get one, let me know and I'll figure it out.

GOOD TO KNOW

LPM APP FEATURES: Instead of bells, sometimes it's fun to use an app! There is a virtual bell set on your LPM app! And an autoharp! Click the far-left music notes in the bottom menu and explore. Make sure your phone's mute button is switched off to hear the sound. These are totally optional! I just want you to know the options! Here's a visual of where they are on the LPM app.

ONLINE CLASS SERIES: Let's Play Music has adapted their in-person curriculum to include an online option for families who don't live close to live teachers. One benefit we get from that is that every class has a professionally produced video that we can use as "makeup classes" when students miss class. Every class has a lot of overlap repetition to allow the concepts to solidify, so if your student misses a class here and there it will be fine. If they miss three classes in a row, it would be worth purchasing access to the class to make sure you're on track. I believe First Year classes are $7 for access to a lesson for four weeks. But the first class in each semester is posted for free on YouTube! If you'd like to check out this week's class, click here! 

EAR TRAINING: To read why ear training is important and why it is part of the LPM curriculum, check out this article.

FUN TO KNOW

PUPPET SHOW: Get downloadable coloring pages that correlate with the Magic Lamp puppet show. You can also print some mini puppets if you'd like!

GREAT JOB!: Parenting is full of tough decisions. You made a great one to join music class!

1st Year Parent Orientation 2026-2027

  

First Year Parent Orientation

NEED TO KNOW

The Parent Orientation information video is ready! Documents referenced are posted below. As I describe in the video, you need to fill out a form as you watch. You can do this digitally, or can choose to print (or answer on another paper), sign, and turn in hard copies.

I experimented with my phone, and I could have the video in the YouTube app open while I also had the Google form open to fill out. I hope it's easy!

For families with multiple students in different levels: There is information in each level's video specialized to that level's curriculum. I need a separate form for each level that your kids are in. However, the studio tour portion and the discussion of Studio Policies and Media Release are the same for each level so once you watch those once, you can skip the video of it in the others and just sign the forms. And if you have multiple kids in the same level, just put both their names on one form.

Link to Parent Orientation Video: First Year Parent Orientation 2026-2027

Digital form to fill out as you watch (has all of the forms needed)

Parent Orientation Google Form

Paper forms you'll need (if you prefer doing it with physical forms)

Parent Orientation General Overview

Studio Policies

Media Release

As always, let me know if something seems off or if things doesn't work. I check everything, but that doesn't mean there aren't mistakes! And as always, let me know if you have any questions or clarifications!

GOOD TO KNOW

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about anything! I'm excited to have you in class!

FUN TO KNOW

Thanks for hanging in! It's gonna be a great year!

Summer Check-in

   

Parent Notes: Summer Check-in

There are still a few weeks before classes start, but here are some class details if you're wanting to get excited about things!

Materials: Class materials, including bags and books (and bells, if you don't already have them), will be sent to me and I will have them ready for your student on the first day of class. If you do have bells, bring them so you can put them away in the bag. I'll have extra if you don't remember to bring them.

Music Access: The albums are available in the app when you register for classes. All the app info is available at this link.  

*Here is a link to the app on GooglePlay. And a link to the app on the Apple App Store. 

*You can also download the tracks digitally at this link. 

*I will also have CDs available for any family who wants one.

Parent Orientation: There will be a parent orientation video that will be posted before classes start. I will be chock full of important information, and there will be a worksheet to fill out as you watch it that will need to be turned in before you can take your student's materials home. My goal is to post everything you need for that by August 18, the week before classes start. 

Class Starting: Classes start on August 25, and the first class is a Parent Day for all classes.

Class Lists: The current class lists are at the bottom of this post. I still have a spots available, so if you have friends who want to join, let me know! If you would like to switch class times, let me know as well. Updated August 15

Tuesdays 11-11:45

Alice B

Aurora H

Bianca M

Stone P

Tuesdays 12:30-1:15

Jude A

Juliette A

Ella D

Nolan E

Jacob F

Leonard G

Hazel R

Rylie W

Anything else?: Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Registration for 2026-2027 classes

CLASSES FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

BRAND NEW FIRST YEARS: Hooray! I'm so excited for you to start your Let's Play Music journey! There will be two 1st Year classes. One will be on Tuesdays from 11-11:45 and the other on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:15. During first year, parents come to every other class, and younger siblings are not invited. Classes will start the week of August 25/26.

STEP ONE: REGISTRATION FEE

The registration fee is $25 per student and covers my sundry office fees like copies, T-shirts, beads, stickers, pins, balloons, corporate student support fees, random supplies, end-of-year recital stuff, etc. Because I really just want to get people registered and get back to teaching, I am going to waive this registration fee for any returning student who registers before April, and for any new 1st Year student who registers within a week of their studio tour.

Here is my venmo link to pay the registration fee.

STEP TWO: ENROLL AND ORDER MATERIALS

1. Go to my registration page (I'll put a link at the end of the list, but I want you to read this list first).

2. Select your classtime and enter my enrollment ID: 95761

3. Log in using your LetsPlayMusic account info.

4. When ordering materials, check which BUNDLE you'd like from the drop down menu. If this is your first child going through Let's Play Music, you'll need the FULL SET. If you have had older kids go through the program, you already have access to the recorded music on the app, so choose the SIBLING SET. Everything you need is included in the BUNDLES, so don't select any extras unless you want multiple of the same item.

For 1st Year, the full set contains everything (booklets, tote bag, audio access, bells, and bug cards), and the sibling bundle includes only the booklets and the tote bag. The sibling set does NOT include audio access, but if you are looking at the sibling set option, you still have access from your earlier students. The sibling set does not include the bells or the bug flashcards. If you don't have your original student's bells or bug flashcards, order an additional set of these.

For 2nd and 3rd Years, the only difference between the full set and the sibling set is access to the audio. The sibling bundles include both the 2nd year bubble hands and the 3rd year flashcards for your younger students, so you don't need to order those unless you want multiple.

Now that you know the steps to register at the LPM corporate website, here is the link to my registration page!

LET ME KNOW 

If you have any questions or issues with the registration site, let me know! From other teachers' reports, it seems to be working very smoothly this year. I hope that's your experience!

TUITION RATES

*Tuition for all students will be $70/month for 8 months, or $280/semester for 2 semesters each year. This tuition level will remain in place for the three years of your student's Let's Play Music journey.

*The first tuition payment will be due the first week of class on August 25/26.