Christmas/Winter Materials

Love this cute add from Kristin at Creative Clips

Just FYI everyone - I'll be participating in TPT's "Cyber Monday" Sale.  All of my products will be 28% off.  Below you can find some Christmas/Winter resources that you can stock up on for a discounted price (just click on the picture):

These three bear-themed lessons are great for ages K-2.  I love using them around this time of year because the bears are "hibernating".

Speaking of bears, I created the song "Klondike" as a new so and mi lesson:

These folders are always a big hit with K-2 (and really handy if someone is covering your class while you do a holiday rehearsal or performance) - you'll find 5 winter/holiday-themed folder games to choose from (click here for a freebie Gingerbread themed game):

This original song (with a corresponding partner song and instrumentation ) is really handy for 2nd graders working on mi so la:

These mi-so-la based penguin songs I use with 1st graders:

 If you're ready to add in do, check out this do mi so la snowman activity that also walks students through the steps of creating their own piece:

This song is great for reviewing the Do pentatonic pitches (you'll find extensive instructions, teaching slides, instrumentation you can use for a performance and more):

These games are cute for students who need to review most basic melodic concepts (bag and bage on recorder, treble clef spelling, mi/so, mi/so/la, do/mi/so/la, do/re/mi, do/re/mi/so, do/re/mi/so/la)

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 My older students enjoy "learning" this piece (I've used it in a 5th grade winter program, but now we usually learn the melody during the last week of classes in December as a fun activity)

Another great song for older students is "Go Tell It On the Mountain" (this includes a printable activity):

I like using this song for reinforcing the half note (with 2nd): 

I created this activity for older students to review the pitches of the treble clef (the levels progress from 3 to 7 letters):

In my bundle, "A Musical Wonderland" you'll find all of these resources and much more - check it out:

Best of luck during these next few busy weeks - I know I'll be swamped!

Grandma Grunts

I've always thought this song was  a little silly, but kiddos love the lyrics (and like to act them out).  It is great for adding so back in (or in the first place) after you've taught do-re-mi.

Here are some examples of the slides that are included (38 total):

Slides for introducing pitch

Slides with pitches labeled for singing practice

Pitches on the Staff

Rhythms on the Staff

Final product (version with solfa labeled on it also included)

This fall, when I use it as review with my 3rd graders, I'm going to have them add two ostinatos I created to the song.  They are homo-rhythmic, which means they are a bit easy for the kiddos to sing and play.

Part one can be whistled (depending on their skill level) by some of the boys, as well as played on the BM.  This slide is labeled for instrumental use, but there is also a slide with the solfa labeled.

Part two can be sung by some of the girls, or played on the soprano glock or metallophone.  This slide is labeled for vocal use (although one labeled with absolute pitches is included also):

If you're using this with more advanced students (reviewing with 4th or 5th), they would also enjoy playing the song (and some of the ostinatos too) on the recorder.

Create a form for performance and add some movement and bam - you could put it up on the stage for public consumption. ;)

This slide has been added to my Do Re Mi So lesson bundle which includes 5 other Do Re Mi So songs.

Low La Lessons, Games, and Activities

My older students (3rd and 4th) are working on (it varies per grade) low la, low so, and high do - really trying to get that extended Do pentatonic learned and practiced before the summer.

Low la and low so go really great with our recorder unit and a lot of the songs provide students the opportunity to add movement or well-loved folk dances, instrumentation, and explore their creativity and composition skills.  I, for one, and in love with anything La-based, so I'm excited we are here as well.

I included some of our favorite lessons in this set for teaching Low La:
Corn Grinding Song

Hosisipa

Canoe Song/Land of the Silver Birch

Old Mr. Rabbit

See the Rabbit Running

One Morning Soon

Who Has Seen the Wind

Along with teach aides, printable games, and worksheets:

Rabbit Race - solfa and recorder matching game

Grocery Store Recorder Folder Game

Game Activities for Low La Patterns