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.
APP AND SOUNDTRACK LISTENING: Now that we're in the rhythm of classes, I want to make sure everyone's app is working and 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. Let me know if something isn't working 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
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.
*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 told the students that sticks can in fact go through balloons without popping them! Check it out here!
