MUSIC

The kindergartners have been wonderful to work with!  We've established a pretty good routine in class where children are working towards a music class party before we break for the winter. Depending on their responsiveness to quiet signals and other listening tasks during a class period, they can earn a star on their star chart each week, eventually working up to a music party.  Kids seem to be really responsive to this new procedure and are taking responsibility for their efforts in class.  

The kindergartners have been learning a singing game called "5 Little Leaves."  It is a seasonal fingerplay that we have developed into a large movement piece, choosing certain kids to be the leaf, other to be the tree trunk and others to be the wind.  It is a delight to see the children singing, dancing and playing together in a circle, celebrating the seasons through play.  The children have learned to anticipate when certain phrases begin and others end, developing their musical awareness.  

We've also had a great time learning a seasonal folk dance called "Turkey in the Straw."  This is a playful, fun song and dance that requires partners.  Children are learning to work together, cooperating with each other through movement.  This seemingly simple dance actually has a lot to it, as there are clapping and patting patterns, turning and twirling sequences that require a lot of mutual awareness and cooperation, all disguised as play!

The kids and I spend a lot of time talking about how our brains work.  We discuss how some things come easier to some people and while our natural abilities can be recognized, it is more our effort and persistence that is praiseworthy.  We talk about being accepting of ourselves where we are at in our musical process.  Children are learning to actively practice non-judgment towards their peers.