Make your Own Instruments

I hope you are all doing well and have settled into some routine. In honor of Earth Day this week, I wanted to share a site I found that lists a bunch of ways to reuse common household items to create musical instruments. (If you have some plastic spoons, easter eggs, and tape laying around, check out the egg and spoon maracas!) If you make an instrument, please bring it to your next online preschool class and show me! 

feltmagnet.com/crafts/Music-Instruments-for-Kids-to-Make

We have made a few of these, and they are fun and easy! You can even do something as simple as putting dried beans or rice in an empty (dry) water bottle to make your own shaker! Happy creating!

Musical Fun while Learning from Home

Parents, we are all in an unusual and uncharted situation right now, but it is important to keep our children's minds and bodies engaged during this period of unease across the world. One way to do this is to continue integrating learning throughout your day, but don't forget to include music as a part of your child's day as well. 

Here are some suggestions for ways to incorporate music into your daily activities:

• Use empty, dry water bottles and add rice or dried beans to make your own "shaker". Put some music on and shake your shaker to the beat, or even dance around the kitchen.
• Pull out some pots and pans and spoons and have an impromptu drumming session.
• Use old boxes or coffee canisters as drums as well. Oatmeal containers work too!
• Take a walk outside and listen to all the "sounds" of nature. What do you hear? Talk about the sounds with your child. Were they loud, soft, sweet, harsh?
• Got bubble wrap laying around? Let your child stomp on it and pop it. Noisy for you, but fun for them!
• Read books to a soundtrack of classical music. Here is a great blog post with some suggestions of books/music (but any books you have around home will work! Try Mozart for great mind-stimulating background music while reading!) https://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/stories-with-classical-music-and-movement/
• Read books with rhyming words. Sing books with songs. Pete the Cat books have online songs you can read/sing with. http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
• Sandra Boynton books also often have accompanying songs: www.sandraboynton.com/sboynton/Introduction.html😊

Most of all, play music throughout the day. Let your child dance freely or play with music on. And have fun. Enjoy this time with your precious children, even though it may be trying at times. 

Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12

With Spring on the horizon, we did some songs about grass, flowers, and dinosaurs this week. 

Here's what we did:

• The Wheels on the Bus, by Go Fish: tambourines
• A Blooming Flower: Lee Seulara: ribbons
  
• We are the Dinosaurs, by Laurie Berkner: marching with dinosaurs
  
• The Green Grass Grew All Around, by Greg and Steve: motions
  

We also changed our "Hello" song for now, since our original greeting song included shaking hands with a friend. We will be using the new song "Good Morning" by the Kiboomers through the end of the year. 

Wednesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 4

What beautiful weather we had this week. The sun was streaming through the windows as we danced, tossed bean bags and walked with poise with them on our heads, shook our eggs, and played our instruments. 

Here are the songs for this week:

• The Crazy Dance, by Go Fish: free dance/movement
• The Bean Bag Song, by Hap Palmer: bean bags
• Set it All Free, by Scarlett Johansson (from Sing): egg shakers, tempo work
• Stomp, stomp, by Lewis Franco: instrumental play along
• Practiced "He's got the whole world in his hands" for our performance at the 5:30 Service Saturday, March 14 at First Lutheran Church (here, in the sanctuary). Please join us!
  

Wednesday, February 26

This week we did a variety of types of songs, worked on tempo,  and enjoyed being "ducky." Classes that have music on Thursdays did not meet this week due to the visit from the dentist. 

We did the following songs:

• Free Dance Song
• Fast and Slow, by Laurie Berkner; tempo practice with tambourines
• 6 Little Ducks, by Raffi: walking on beat with duck props
• Sing a Song of Sixpense, Barbara Morrison: egg shakers
• Practiced "He's got the whole world in his hands" which we will sing at the 5:30 service at First Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 14. Please join us!

Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, Feb. 20

We did some new rhythms this week, playing songs in 5/4 and 6/8 time signatures. Some kids were unsure of this music, but they enjoyed playing along nonetheless.

We played to:

• "I like to Move it" by Will.I.Am from Madagascar 2: free dance and movement
• "Turkish Dumbek  Music (Belly Dance) from Drums of The World: drumming on coffee canisters
  
• "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck Quartet: bells (in 5/4 rhythm!)
  
• "Scarborough Fair" by Music Together: dance in 6/8 time with ribbons
  

Next week Thursday classes will not meet due to a visit from a dentist at school, but I hope to see you all at the Carnival Tuesday night from 5:30 to 7:00!
​

Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13

This week we had a "LOVE" themed class in honor of Valentine's Day on Friday. We boogied and shook to some songs all about love and feelings.

Here is what we did:

• "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake: free dance
• "Love is an Open Door" from Frozen: tambourines
• "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Michael Buble: egg shakers
• "Simple Gifts" by Music Together: instrumental play along

Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 7

This week was all about feeling different rhythms as we moved. We started off dancing to "Walking on Sunshine," since we have had a gloomy, rainy week, then we made "wheels" with hula-hoops and walked around in the rhythm to the song "Little Wheel a Turning in my Heart." We did slow rhythmic movements with scarves, and did our musical play along with the instruments. It was a great week!

Here are the songs we did:

• "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves: free dancing
• "There's a Little Wheel a-Turnin'" by Music Together: Hula-hoop movement
  
• Tmbourine Jam by Music Together: instrumental play along
  
• "Bundle of Joy" by Michael Giacchino (from Inside Out): scarves

Wednesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 30

We had a "Disney" themed week in music class this week, since my family visited Disneyland in California last week on our vacation. We played with ribbons, egg shakers, tambourines, and balls this week.

Here are the songs we did:

• "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flats (from Cars): dance with ribbons
• "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King: egg shakers
  
• "Robby Roly" from Music Together: ball rolling
  
• "Friend Like Me" by Will Smith (from Aladdin): dance with tambourines

It was as fun week, and we look forward to getting back into a normal routine in February!

Wednesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 16

We were all happy to have a normal week again. It seemed like ages since I've seen my Wednesday bunch! This week we did some dancing, driving, and drumming! 

Here are the songs we did in class this week:

• Hair Up, from Trolls: free dancing
• Broken Piano, Ben Folds: instrumental play along
• Riding in My Car, Greg and Steve: music with car props.
  
• Brazilian Samba Music, Drums of the World: drumming on coffee canisters
  
• He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Group Music (VBS): song and motion

I will be out of town next week, so Music classes will resume the last week of January.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Well a delayed opening on Wednesday meant no music class for our Wednesday classes this week. We did some fun songs on Thursday, however, and we will repeat the "We are the Dinosaur's" song next week for our Wednesday friends to join in the fun as well. 

Here are the songs we did this week:

• Can't Sit Still: Greg & Steve (body movement)
• We are the Dinosaurs: Laurie Berkner Band (marching with dinosaur props)
  
• The Three Bears: Gary Rosen (egg shakers)
  
• This Little Light of Mine: Group Music (tambourines)
  

​As you can guess, the dinosaur song was the favorite this week! 

Happy New Year! Thursday, January 2, 2020!

Welcome back to school and Happy New Year! We started the year off with a fun collection of songs, including "Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2 (per request of my daughter, who is in the Hummingbird's class). The kids familiar with Frozen 2 were excited about this song, and those who were not were less so. I had a request for the Itsy Bitsy Spider next week and "superhero" songs, so I'll see what I can do about that. The Chickadees and Butterflies were small classes this morning, but we had lots of fun in our little groups!

Today we did the following songs:

• Into the Unknown from Frozen 2: with ribbons
• Deedle Dumpling, by Music Together: tambourines
  
• Bluegrass Jamboree, by Hap Palmer: movement and listening
  
• Foolin' Around, by Music Together: instrumental play-along
  

Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec. 12

We had a holly-jolly good time this week in Music class! We went a little light with our songs so we had time to practice for the Christmas Program on Wednesday and Thursday next week (arrive by 11:15!). But, we still had fun. 
 
Here are the songs we did this week:

• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Pentatonix (egg shakers)
• Jingle Bells: Lauren Daigle (ribbon dance)
• Winter Wonderland: Colbie Caillat (bells)

Mrs. Stuart's Butterflies also did:

• Let it Snow! by Ella Fitzgerald (shakers)

Ms. Jen's Chicakdees also did:

• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Ella Fitzgerald (with bells)

Wednesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 5

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving break and enjoyed your holiday with family and friends. It is hard to believe we only have TWO weeks of Music class this month before our Christmas Program on Dec. 18th and 19th! I hope to see you all there! This week, we played to some Christmas songs, as we will next week as well. Here are the songs we did this week:

• (Wednesday) Frosty the Snowman: Ella Fitzgerald (with egg shakers)
• (Thursday) Frosty the Snowman: Ray Conniff (with bells)
• Away in a Manger; Trisha Yearwood (scarf dance)
• Jingling Brass: Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass (instrumental play along)
• Walking in a Winter Wonderland (clean up song)​

Wednesday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Nov. 21

This week we did a lot of rhythm work, with shakers and coffee canister drums. The children also listened while I sang them "Baby Beluga" and "read" them the story. We continued practicing our songs for the Christmas Program in December. Next week we don't have music class, and when we come back in December we'll be singing and dancing to a lot of Christmas songs! Have a great Thanksgiving!

This week's songs:

• No More Monkeys, by Asheba: jumping
• Baby Beluga, by Raffi: song/storybook
  
• The Earth is our Mother, by Music Together: coffee canister drums
• I've Been Working on the Railroad, by Music Together: shakers
  

As a reminder, most of these songs are available on Amazon Music, Spotify, or ITunes, with exception of some of the Music Together songs. Please incorporate music into your child's daily home routine as well! Thanks!

Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Nov. 14

This week, each class was introduced to the song it will be singing for the Preschool's Christmas Program in December. The students will be practicing these songs in their classes as well as in Music Class. We also danced with bean bags, played our instruments, and learned about the story of the "Tortoise and the Hare" and played bells FAST and SLOW. 

Here are the songs for this week:

• Fast and Slow: Laurie Berkner Band (bells)
• Bean Bag Song: Hap Palmer (bean bags)
  
• Gazooba: Kinderjazz (instrumental play along)
• Introduced Christmas Songs (surprise!)
  

Thursday, Nov. 7

My daughter, who is in the Hummingbirds class, was home sick on Wednesday this week, so unfortunately there was no music class Wednesday. However, we had a fun day on Thursday. We drummed to Tokyo Taiko Music on old coffee canisters and sang and danced to "If You're Happy and You Know it" by Go Fish. We also played shakers to "Little Lamb Jam" a jazzy version of Mary had a little Lamb, by Oran Etkin with Charenee Wade. 

Here is the list of songs:

1. Tokyo Taiko Music: Drums of the Word (drumming on coffee canisters!)
2. If You're Happy and You Know It: Go Fish (dancing)
3. Little Lamb Jam: Oran Etkin with Charenee Wade

-

Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 31: Happy Halloween!

We had a spooky good time in music class this week. We learned out our bones and danced around to "Dem Bones", we played instruments to an instrumental version of "Thriller," and we boogied with egg shakers to "Monster Mash." I also did the "One Little Owl" story song again as some classes missed this song last time we sang it.  It was a fun week!

Here are the songs we did this week:

• "One Little Owl" by Music Together: visual storytelling song
• "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (instrumental): instrumental play along
  
• "Dem Bones": body movement/dance
  
• "Monster Mash": egg shakers
  

​

Thursday, Oct. 24

This morning we shook and jingled our time away in Music class. We began dancing with shakers to "Jalale" from the Coco soundtrack. Then we danced to "Happy" from Despicable Me, and played bells to a Brazilian Carnival Drums song. We also did a play-song with little duckies who ventured down our legs and back to the "river" in Raffi's "6 Little Ducks".

Here are the songs:

• "Jalale" from Coco: shakers
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams: Free dance
• "6 Little Ducks" by Raffi: duck play
• "Brazilian Carnival Drums" by Drums of the World: bells

​Wednesday, Oct. 23

This morning we shook and jingled our time away in Music class. We began dancing with shakers to "Jalale" from the Coco soundtrack. Then we danced to "Happy" from Despicable Me, and played bells to a Brazilain Carnival Drums song. We also did a play-song with little duckies who ventured down our legs and back to the "river" in Raffi's "6 Little Ducks".

Here are the songs:

• "Jalale" from Coco: shakers
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams: Free dance
• "6 Little Ducks" by Raffi: duck play
• "Brazilian Carnival Drums" by Drums of the World: bells

Thursday, Oct. 17

This morning, we had a silly "spider" themed music class. First, we jumped around like Monkeys, then we played some instruments to a funky version of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Spider-Man". We also pretended to be trees and watch our leaves fall with scarves. 

Here are the songs we did today:

• "Itsy Bitsy Spider" by Go Fish: tambourines
• "Five Little Monkeys" by Hap Palmer: jumping, hopping, turning
• "Spider-Man" by Chris McKhool: instrumental play along
• "Leaves are Falling" by Music Together: scarves

Wednesday, Oct. 16

This morning, we had a silly "spider" themed music class. First, we jumped around like Monkeys, then we played some instruments to a funky version of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Spider-Man". We also pretended to be trees and watch our leaves fall with scarves. 

Here are the songs we did today:

• "Itsy Bitsy Spider" by Go Fish: tambourines
• "Five Little Monkeys" by Hap Palmer: jumping, hopping, turning
• "Spider-Man" by Chris McKhool: instrumental play along
• "Leaves are Falling" by Music Together: scarves

Thursday, Oct.  10

This morning we had some fun with musical story telling. The kids watched as "One LIttle Owl", squirrel, crow, and kitties sat in a old oak tree. Then we did some tambourines to "We Know the Way" from Moana, and read a book/listened to a song in Spanish about baby chicks who cry out "pio, pio, pio" when they are hungry and cold. Mama hen goes out and finds corn and wheat, feeds the chicks, then cuddles them. The chicks go to sleep beneath their mama's two wings and sleep until the next day. We played egg shakers as we listened to this in Spanish. 

Here are the songs we did:

• One LIttle Owl: Music Together (visual song)
• Make Some Noise: Kidz Bop (free dance)
  
• Los Pollitos: Jorge Anaya and book by Canticos (bilingual book available on Amazon), (egg shakers/visual)
  
• We Know the Way: Moana Soundtrack (tambourines)​

Thursday, Oct. 3

What a fun morning! Each class is starting to learn the routines and rules of music class. They are treating the instruments and friends with respect and having fun making music together! Everyone is getting to know our Hello song "So Happy You're Here" by Hap Palmer, and our Good-bye song "So Long Now" by the Kiboomers. Here are other the songs we learned today:

• "Broken Piano," by Ben Folds: Instrumental Play Along
• "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," by Hap Palmer: Structured Dance
• "Aeolian Dance," by Music Together: Scarf Dancing
• "African Djembe Drums" by Drums of the World: Rhythm work (stomping, clapping, etc)
  

As we get to know names and routines, we will have time for more songs each day, but for now, everyone is doing great and having lots of fun! 

​Wednesday, Oct. 2

What a fun morning! Each class is starting to learn the routine and rules of music class. They are treating the instruments and friends with respect and having fun making music together! Everyone is getting to know our Hello song "So Happy You're Here" by Hap Palmer, and our Good-bye song "So Long Now" by the Kiboomers. Here are other the songs we learned today:

• "Broken Piano," by Ben Folds: Instrumental Play Along
• "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," by Hap Palmer: Structured Dance
• "Aeolian Dance," by Music Together: Scarf Dancing

As we get to know names and routines, we will have time for more songs each day, but for now, everyone is doing great and having lots of fun! 

Thursday, Sept. 26

We had a fun morning in Music class here at First Lutheran Preschool today. All of the classes learned our "Hello" song, "So Happy You're Here" by Hap Palmer, sang our ABC's with egg shakers, and danced with ribbons to "Rainbow" from the movie "LEAP." Some of the classes also got to do a Freeze Dance. I remembered all the returning students' names (including a few lucky ducks who get to go to Music Wed and Thurs!) and worked on learning everyone else's name.

Here are the songs we did this week (I use Amazon Music for most of my songs, so many of them are available there, on Spotify, or on You Tube if you'd like to listen to them at home):

• "So Happy You're Here" Hap Palmer
• "The ABCs" Go Fish
• "Rainbow" Klaus Badelt, from the movie "LEAP"
• "Freeze Dance" The Fresh Beat Band

Wednesday, Sept. 25

We had a great first day of Music class here at First Lutheran Preschool today. All of the classes learned our "Hello" song, "So Happy You're Here" by Hap Palmer, sang our ABC's with egg shakers, and danced with ribbons to "Rainbow" from the movie "LEAP." Some of the classes also got to do a Freeze Dance. Ms. Karen worked on learning everyone's name and will try hard to remember them for next week. 

Here are the songs we did this week (I use Amazon Music for most of my songs, so many of them are available there, on Spotify, or on You Tube if you'd like to listen to them at home):

• "So Happy You're Here" Hap Palmer
• "The ABCs" Go Fish
• "Rainbow" Klaus Badelt, from the movie "LEAP"
• "Freeze Dance" The Fresh Beat Band