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.
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
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 told the
students that sticks can in fact go through balloons without popping
them! Check it out here!
