Music!

“Hello! How are you? Hello!  How are you? How are you today?”

Singing hello

Each week, the Sky Class and the Trees Class are thrilled to welcome Dr. Smith when she comes to sing with us for music class. They begin the session by singing a greeting song together. Dr. Smith's visits are one of the highlights of the week for each class.  

Enjoying music

At Mustard Seed School, we value music as a very important piece of our curriculum and Dr. Smith helps the children to experience it in joyful and educational ways each time she visits.  

The program she uses is based in the Kodaly philosophy of music education.  The program focuses on the goals of musical literacy, as well as singing a wide variety of music that is authentic in nature.  Our repertoire includes traditional folk songs, chants, and games.

Keeping the beat; doing movements and singing!

Listening carefully

There are many skills that are taught during music class.  Children are practicing listening skills, matching pitch and building memory while repeating something that is sung to them.  They are practicing “tuneful singing” as they learn to listen for a tune and try to sing what they hear.   Early music work helps children to develop an "ear" (or inner hearing) for music and musical notes. Children get experience with singing in a group and singing solo.

Keeping the beat

Children must think about keeping a steady beat and they work on timing that varies in different songs.

As they sing with Dr. Smith each week, students gain exposure to and experience in using their voices in different ways.

Practicing with Hedwig

Hedwig the Owl is a friend who helps children to explore and feel what their voices can do.  She is working right now to help them with singing high and low. When Hedwig is high up in the air, the children try to match their voices and sing high.  When Hedwig flies low, they try to sing in low voices.  And when she swoops from low to high, again, voices try to do the same and move along with Hedwig’s movements!

Many songs are interactive and have gestures that accompany the words.  Sometimes children choose their own movements that go along with the song they are singing, and they must demonstrate to their peers. They are teachers too!

Working on gestures with a song

Often, movements keep children engaged and may help with memory as well.  You may remember the words or concepts far something better if the words are paired with movement.  And moving is fun! That's a Mighty Pretty Motion is a favorite movement song!

"That's a mighty pretty motion!"

Children are also working on using different types of voices (talking, whispering, singing).  Sometimes they even enjoy doing the movements with no sounds at all.  Loud and soft are important concepts each music class.  

Students are using different volumes for voices (along with gestures).
"Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, 'No more monkeys jumping on the bed!'"

You might ask your child to teach you a few songs that Dr. Smith has taught during music. That is, if you haven't heard them already!  

Some of our favorites:

Songs:

Oh My! No More Pie!

My Fingers are Starting to Wiggle

That's a Mighty Pretty Motion

I Can Hammer With One Hammer

Hey Betty Martin

John the Rabbit

Head and Shoulders Baby

Chants:

What the Animals Do?

Chop, Chop, Chippity Chop

Four Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

As you know from worship, we love to sing here! Singing also happens at many  other times during our days and we hope that all of this joyful music spreads to your home!