Red Balloons #5: Thanks for coming to class this week! YOU are a vital part of your child's music education!
STAFF: It was fun to finally identify the 5 lines and 4 spaces of the staff today! And so lucky to have 5-year-olds and 4-year-olds to solidify it! We are taking time to let the kids visually familiarize themselves with the single staff. Remember when counting the lines and the spaces, we start from the bottom of the staff and count up. Like an elevator!
TUITION: Thanks for getting tuition in on time! It helps me so much!
GOOD TO KNOW
MAY THERE ALWAYS BE ME: We taught the kids to feel their heartbeats and introduced the concept of keeping a steady beat. This skill will help them to internally feel the value of notes. Plus it's nice to cuddle for a minute before they're off and going again!
DING DONG, DING DONG: The ability to correctly imitate pitches is important in learning to sing in tune, which puts us on a path to becoming a complete musician. And I love to see them run down the tunnel to YOU!
CHORDS IN PIECES: We actually read music today! Our eyes followed a chord map while our fingers pointed to the triangles and we sang the broken chords. The map guides the eyes to see the color while the ears hear the music and the fingers follow along. It really is the first step in reading music!
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!
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.
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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
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!
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.
*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!
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