My daughter-in-law was on TV in Utah today with tips on writing memories worth reading http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=71&sid=15716302
It's worth watching!
Welcome to my music and parenting tips blog! My goal is to help parents become better parents. Please bookmark my site or better yet, subscribe to my posts.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Music for Tots Summer Class
I'm excited to teach another music for tots class this summer!
CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM, will there be enough room? Come explore the rich sounds of rhyme, rhythm and music as you and your children sing, dance, move, wiggle and play instruments. Discover how books coupled with music can unlock your child’s imagination and increase his ability to learn.
This class is for multi-age children and siblings-- newborn to age 5 and their parents.
Where: The Learning Center / Little Village Pre-School (Formerly Skyline Charter School-their sign is still up)
550 W Warner Rd (On the North side of Warner just east of Alma School)
When: Saturdays mornings * June 11, 18, 25, July 9, 16, 23 (no class on July 2)
Time: 11:00am-11:45am
Cost: $110.00 per family NEW PRICE $85.00
Bring a friend who registers for class and both of you get $10.00off!
If you live in my area and are interested, please register. If you're a grandparent and want to do something fun with your preschoolers, sign up and come! I guarantee this class will keep you young!
Email me at
playsmusic@hotmail.com to
register and confirm your spot.
Payment on 1st day of class.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Music Tip #73 Open Ended Music Lessons
I love to plan and teach open ended music lessons at school. These are lessons where I present basic information such as a chant, rhyme or song but then let the students create where we go from there. Can we add movements, an ostinato, and instruments? What musical form shall we present our new creation in—AB or ABA or ABACA?
Sometimes we create the movements and form together as a whole group, and other times I divide the class into small groups and let each group come up with their own ideas. Then the groups perform for each other. I love to see the creativity that evolves.
But other things happen during an open ended lesson plan that aren’t just musical. Students learn to brainstorm, cooperate, and develop leadership skills. Each group always ends up with some child becoming the leader, either by default or because they talk louder and faster than anyone else. Once in a while no student leader will surface in a group and the kids will just stand there staring at each other. Then a new learning opportunity evolves and I lead them to discover how to brainstorm and talk and communicate with each other.
When students contribute to the lesson, they internalize the ideas and make it their own. Learning happens and sticks. They feel valued, and involved and in control.
So how can this type of open ended learning atmosphere be used elsewhere in life or in the home?
Piano teachers--or any other kind of instrument teacher, can ask students at their lessons which one of their pieces they would like to play first. They can ask them what needs to be changed or how to make the piece sound better. They can ask them for ideas on how to practice it at home.
Parents can use open ended learning in the home by asking children how they would like to organize the chore schedule, or when would be the best time for them to do their home work. When looking in their bedroom and seeing that, yes indeed, a tornado DID hit, ask for ideas on how to clean it the quickest way. On Saturday ask for ideas on how to get the work of the day done in a fun way where everyone is helping.
When you involve children in the decision making, and let them use their creativity, they become part owners in the situation and will work to make it successful. Try it! I would love to hear your ideas and the results of your “tries”.
Sometimes we create the movements and form together as a whole group, and other times I divide the class into small groups and let each group come up with their own ideas. Then the groups perform for each other. I love to see the creativity that evolves.
But other things happen during an open ended lesson plan that aren’t just musical. Students learn to brainstorm, cooperate, and develop leadership skills. Each group always ends up with some child becoming the leader, either by default or because they talk louder and faster than anyone else. Once in a while no student leader will surface in a group and the kids will just stand there staring at each other. Then a new learning opportunity evolves and I lead them to discover how to brainstorm and talk and communicate with each other.
When students contribute to the lesson, they internalize the ideas and make it their own. Learning happens and sticks. They feel valued, and involved and in control.
So how can this type of open ended learning atmosphere be used elsewhere in life or in the home?
Piano teachers--or any other kind of instrument teacher, can ask students at their lessons which one of their pieces they would like to play first. They can ask them what needs to be changed or how to make the piece sound better. They can ask them for ideas on how to practice it at home.
Parents can use open ended learning in the home by asking children how they would like to organize the chore schedule, or when would be the best time for them to do their home work. When looking in their bedroom and seeing that, yes indeed, a tornado DID hit, ask for ideas on how to clean it the quickest way. On Saturday ask for ideas on how to get the work of the day done in a fun way where everyone is helping.
When you involve children in the decision making, and let them use their creativity, they become part owners in the situation and will work to make it successful. Try it! I would love to hear your ideas and the results of your “tries”.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Give-Away is Here!
I’m happy to have another giveaway on my blog for two items—a new music CD and a book for parents of preschoolers.
The book, The Smarter Preschooler, Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential is written by a husband/wife team, Renee and Mike Mosiman, whose sons I teach at my school (our school provides enrichment classes to homeschooled families). Did I mention yet that this book is excellent? It is a "user-friendly" book that speaks to parents and educators alike. It covers a wide range of topics of interest for parents who want to be proactive in their children's lives. There are many research findings included in each topic with pertinent examples sprinkled throughout each chapter. There are lots of great "down to earth" ideas that parents can easily incorporate into their child's life.
One of the reasons I like this book is because Renee and Mike think like I do on important topics like play, the arts, t.v., and family time. They encourage lots of free play, less t.v., and quality family time. They suggest ideas on which chores preschoolers are capable of doing, how to make running errands a learning and fun experience, and discuss the pros and cons of sending your child to preschool.
If you are a new parent of a preschooler or an experienced [and perhaps tired] one, this book will excite you with ideas, information and support.
The music CD is called Women of Hope-giving voice to your heart. It brings together the best talents in the LDS music community in celebration of the power of women. It features original songs performed by favorite singers such as Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, Mercy River and more. It is produced by Tyler Castleton with Kurt Bestor.
This is a CD that grows on you and becomes better each time you listen to it. The first time I heard it I enjoyed listening to it. The 2nd time I enjoyed it even more. Each time I played it, it brought feelings of love and peace.
With song titles like By Our Love, Legacy, Hope on the Horizon, Find Mercy and God Will Give You Wings, you can see what a powerful CD it is.
Leave me a comment and mention which give away you are interested in, the book or CD, or if you want to be entered in both, tell me that too. Make sure your email address shows!
I’ll choose the lucky winners next Monday.
The book, The Smarter Preschooler, Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential is written by a husband/wife team, Renee and Mike Mosiman, whose sons I teach at my school (our school provides enrichment classes to homeschooled families). Did I mention yet that this book is excellent? It is a "user-friendly" book that speaks to parents and educators alike. It covers a wide range of topics of interest for parents who want to be proactive in their children's lives. There are many research findings included in each topic with pertinent examples sprinkled throughout each chapter. There are lots of great "down to earth" ideas that parents can easily incorporate into their child's life.
One of the reasons I like this book is because Renee and Mike think like I do on important topics like play, the arts, t.v., and family time. They encourage lots of free play, less t.v., and quality family time. They suggest ideas on which chores preschoolers are capable of doing, how to make running errands a learning and fun experience, and discuss the pros and cons of sending your child to preschool.
If you are a new parent of a preschooler or an experienced [and perhaps tired] one, this book will excite you with ideas, information and support.
The music CD is called Women of Hope-giving voice to your heart. It brings together the best talents in the LDS music community in celebration of the power of women. It features original songs performed by favorite singers such as Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, Mercy River and more. It is produced by Tyler Castleton with Kurt Bestor.
This is a CD that grows on you and becomes better each time you listen to it. The first time I heard it I enjoyed listening to it. The 2nd time I enjoyed it even more. Each time I played it, it brought feelings of love and peace.
With song titles like By Our Love, Legacy, Hope on the Horizon, Find Mercy and God Will Give You Wings, you can see what a powerful CD it is.
Leave me a comment and mention which give away you are interested in, the book or CD, or if you want to be entered in both, tell me that too. Make sure your email address shows!
I’ll choose the lucky winners next Monday.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Music Tip #72 Helpful Songs
I’ve written songs throughout my adult life. Some have been published—others haven’t. My most famous song –to my kids, that is--is one that I use to sing when I was stressed out, had a hundred things to do and had no energy to do them with. It’s called, “I’ve Got Energy”. I was trying to psych myself out, I guess.
Another song I recently wrote is one to help me with one of my vices. Coveting. I never thought of myself as a coveter (is that a word?). Perhaps I was a little jealous and envious of other people’s nicer-than-mine house, or financial status or beauty. But I didn’t think I coveted—until one year in Sunday School when we were discussing the 10 Commandments and that one came up. Whoa—it sure sounded like what I was doing.
So I wrote this little song to help me overcome my feelings and put life back into perspective. You sing it to the tune of Are You Sleeping.
Do not covet. Do not covet.
Don’t you dare. Don’t compare.
Coveting’s a dreadful sin.
Makes you bitter, no one wins.
Count your Blessings.
Count your Blessings!
So I hope you can use my two little songs some day. The next time you have no energy, sing I Have Energy from the top of your lungs. You really have to shout it out. And did I mention you have to dance while you’re singing it?
Or if you find yourself coveting, sing Do Not Covet in your head over and over again.
Happy singing!
Another song I recently wrote is one to help me with one of my vices. Coveting. I never thought of myself as a coveter (is that a word?). Perhaps I was a little jealous and envious of other people’s nicer-than-mine house, or financial status or beauty. But I didn’t think I coveted—until one year in Sunday School when we were discussing the 10 Commandments and that one came up. Whoa—it sure sounded like what I was doing.
So I wrote this little song to help me overcome my feelings and put life back into perspective. You sing it to the tune of Are You Sleeping.
Do not covet. Do not covet.
Don’t you dare. Don’t compare.
Coveting’s a dreadful sin.
Makes you bitter, no one wins.
Count your Blessings.
Count your Blessings!
So I hope you can use my two little songs some day. The next time you have no energy, sing I Have Energy from the top of your lungs. You really have to shout it out. And did I mention you have to dance while you’re singing it?
Or if you find yourself coveting, sing Do Not Covet in your head over and over again.
Happy singing!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Parenting Tip #75 Use Your Words
When I visit my grandchildren, I’ve been surprised to hear my daughter in laws say to their children, “use your words.” They say this usually when a child is having a melt down, either because of fighting with a sibling or frustration at getting dressed or whatever. The mom will say, “Use your words”--implying “quit crying and tell me what’s going on”.
Use your words and tell your sister how that made you feel. Use your words and tell me why you don’t want to wear your red shirt. Use your words and tell me what’s wrong with the Cheerios in your bowl.
I wish I would have used this technique when my children were small. It’s a great way to help children realize they have feelings and put a name to them. It’s also a great way to help children organize their thoughts and express them—she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. It’s a great way to visualize and organize past events—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. And finally, it’s a great way to evaluate choices and choose new ones—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry, I should give her back the toy and say I’m sorry.
But what if your child is too young to use their words? Here comes the beauty of teaching your baby sign language. Is your toddler sleepy, hungry, wants more apples, or wants milk? Teaching these basic signs can really help a frustrated mother understand what her even more frustrated toddler is trying to tell her.
“Use your words”. Food for thought for even adults. One of my sons loves the book, Crucial Conversations, a book that tells how to deal with crucial events in people’s lives and deal with them in a constructive, positive way. http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/0194-6excerpt.html
I guess every blogger knows the power of using your words. I’m using my words to hopefully give you ways to make your world a little easier and more fun.
Thanks
for
reading
my
words!
Use your words and tell your sister how that made you feel. Use your words and tell me why you don’t want to wear your red shirt. Use your words and tell me what’s wrong with the Cheerios in your bowl.
I wish I would have used this technique when my children were small. It’s a great way to help children realize they have feelings and put a name to them. It’s also a great way to help children organize their thoughts and express them—she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. It’s a great way to visualize and organize past events—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry. And finally, it’s a great way to evaluate choices and choose new ones—I took her toy, she hit me, it hurt, I’m angry, I should give her back the toy and say I’m sorry.
But what if your child is too young to use their words? Here comes the beauty of teaching your baby sign language. Is your toddler sleepy, hungry, wants more apples, or wants milk? Teaching these basic signs can really help a frustrated mother understand what her even more frustrated toddler is trying to tell her.
“Use your words”. Food for thought for even adults. One of my sons loves the book, Crucial Conversations, a book that tells how to deal with crucial events in people’s lives and deal with them in a constructive, positive way. http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/0194-6excerpt.html
I guess every blogger knows the power of using your words. I’m using my words to hopefully give you ways to make your world a little easier and more fun.
Thanks
for
reading
my
words!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Parenting Tip #74 Teaching Children to Work
Today is Mother’s Day. I’ve learned so many things from my mother about how to be a good mother. Here are just a few things I’ve learned about teaching children how to work:
1.Make work fun. When we had to clean the house, we would play army--with my mother being “The General”. She would give us a small job to do, we would salute and say, “yes Ma’am!”, then run off to do the job. When it was finished we would return to The General, salute and get a new job.
I tried making work fun for my children by hiding M&M’s under clothing and toys strewn all over the floor. The clean up would look daunting, but when you found candy while cleaning, it was much more fun!
2.Teach your children how to work. My sister and I were not washing the dishes up to my mother’s standards. So I vividly remember one night watching her as SHE washed the dishes while instructing us on how to do it correctly. “Wipe the counter after the dishes are washed,” she told us as she carefully wiped it. “Pick up the salt and pepper shakers on the stove and wipe under them,” she demonstrated.
I tried this technique with my children by writing step by step instructions on “how to clean the bathroom”. I demonstrated it for them, too. I wonder if they remember that day?
3.You get what you earned. One Saturday, as young children, we had to help rake up the leaves in the back yard. My brother kept messing around and not helping. After the job was done, my mother all gave us a glass of punch. Except my brother—he only got half a glass. He cried but was told that was all he had earned. It was a lesson for all of us.
4.Sometimes it’s okay to quit or Evaluate the situation. I had the most boring job in the world one summer when I worked at ASU. I called my mother during lunch one day because I just couldn’t take it anymore. She asked me some probing questions then said, “Well it doesn’t sound like the money you are making from this job is really worth what you have to go through. So quit.” What??!! I could actually quit? Other times in my life she had told me to “hang in there”. Lesson learned: every situation is different.
Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to work--and all the other things you taught me. I love you!
1.Make work fun. When we had to clean the house, we would play army--with my mother being “The General”. She would give us a small job to do, we would salute and say, “yes Ma’am!”, then run off to do the job. When it was finished we would return to The General, salute and get a new job.
I tried making work fun for my children by hiding M&M’s under clothing and toys strewn all over the floor. The clean up would look daunting, but when you found candy while cleaning, it was much more fun!
2.Teach your children how to work. My sister and I were not washing the dishes up to my mother’s standards. So I vividly remember one night watching her as SHE washed the dishes while instructing us on how to do it correctly. “Wipe the counter after the dishes are washed,” she told us as she carefully wiped it. “Pick up the salt and pepper shakers on the stove and wipe under them,” she demonstrated.
I tried this technique with my children by writing step by step instructions on “how to clean the bathroom”. I demonstrated it for them, too. I wonder if they remember that day?
3.You get what you earned. One Saturday, as young children, we had to help rake up the leaves in the back yard. My brother kept messing around and not helping. After the job was done, my mother all gave us a glass of punch. Except my brother—he only got half a glass. He cried but was told that was all he had earned. It was a lesson for all of us.
4.Sometimes it’s okay to quit or Evaluate the situation. I had the most boring job in the world one summer when I worked at ASU. I called my mother during lunch one day because I just couldn’t take it anymore. She asked me some probing questions then said, “Well it doesn’t sound like the money you are making from this job is really worth what you have to go through. So quit.” What??!! I could actually quit? Other times in my life she had told me to “hang in there”. Lesson learned: every situation is different.
Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to work--and all the other things you taught me. I love you!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Music Tip #71May I hear a DRUM roll please...
I went to THE MOST FUN workshop this weekend. It was a drumming workshop by Dr. Craig Woodson. http://www.ethnomushttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gificinc.com/index.html He showed us how to make drums using cans, tape and more tape. I came home with 4 drums and enough ideas to teach all my classes next year.
Dr. Woodson was invited by Frank Thompson who is founder of the AZ Rhythm Connection. http://www.azrhythmconnection.com They offer a free standard based curriculum for teachers. "Each lesson includes: information about the instrument and its country and culture of origin; information about the special rhythms associated with the instrument and instructions on how to play along; and instructions on how to build a homemade version of the instrument."http://www.rootsofrhythm.net/curriculum.html
What kid doesn't like drums? These are so easy to make, yet sound so good! Did I mention we made a xylophone too? These instruments would be great for cub scout meetings, scout troops, general music classes, music group lessons, and more. I plan on having the students make them next year for our "found instrument" unit.
And the winner is.....
Emily and Natalie you are the winners of the two CDs!! Congratulations! Emily, your email address didn't come through and I'm not sure which Emily you are. So if you wrote a comment, please email me with YOUR email address. Natalie your CD will be coming!
Thanks to all those who commented!
Thanks to all those who commented!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Music Tip #70 CD Give Aways
OK here’s the 2 CDs I’m reviewing and giving away. Thank goodness I get to keep my copies and the publisher will mail the lucky winners their own copy.
The first CD is by Josh Wright. He is a 23 year old classical pianist who combines the well known classic melodies with equally well loved hymns. All I can say is AMAZING!! Who would have thought to put Clair de lune with How Great Thou Art? You have to hear it—it is so beautiful. The album has 3 hymn/classic medleys besides the other great classics such as Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and Satie's "Gynopedi No. 1. The last piece is Liszt's "La Campanella which he plays on two grand pianos! Of course you can’t see that on the CD but you can see it here: http://joshwrightpiano.com/.
Maybe the best recommendation for buying this CD (if you don’t win it) is what my friend, Debbie, said while we were listening to it while we were sewing one evening. She said, “I’m sorry, Cathy, but I’m going to have to take your CD home with me tonight. I have to listen to it again!”
The second CD I’m reviewing actually comes with a book. It is by Hilary Weeks and is called, “Bedtime and Naptime…and Bedtime and Naptime-The Simple Joys of a Mom’s Life”. I LOVE it. The CD contains funny song parodies— like from “My Favorite Things” she names “bedtime and naptime and naptime and bedtime…” Another is “Climb every mountain, wash every load. If you’re alive and breathing, then there are clothes to fold.”
The small book contains quotes, experiences, memories, insights and recipes. One of her insights I love mentions how frustrated she got when she didn’t have big blocks of time to do what she wanted to do. She found she had to use 15 minutes here and 10 minutes there and the Lord would magnify her efforts and multiply her output. The same can happen to us.
Please leave me a comment or just your name and email address and I’ll choose two (2) lucky winners next week!
The first CD is by Josh Wright. He is a 23 year old classical pianist who combines the well known classic melodies with equally well loved hymns. All I can say is AMAZING!! Who would have thought to put Clair de lune with How Great Thou Art? You have to hear it—it is so beautiful. The album has 3 hymn/classic medleys besides the other great classics such as Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and Satie's "Gynopedi No. 1. The last piece is Liszt's "La Campanella which he plays on two grand pianos! Of course you can’t see that on the CD but you can see it here: http://joshwrightpiano.com/.Maybe the best recommendation for buying this CD (if you don’t win it) is what my friend, Debbie, said while we were listening to it while we were sewing one evening. She said, “I’m sorry, Cathy, but I’m going to have to take your CD home with me tonight. I have to listen to it again!”
The second CD I’m reviewing actually comes with a book. It is by Hilary Weeks and is called, “Bedtime and Naptime…and Bedtime and Naptime-The Simple Joys of a Mom’s Life”. I LOVE it. The CD contains funny song parodies— like from “My Favorite Things” she names “bedtime and naptime and naptime and bedtime…” Another is “Climb every mountain, wash every load. If you’re alive and breathing, then there are clothes to fold.”
The small book contains quotes, experiences, memories, insights and recipes. One of her insights I love mentions how frustrated she got when she didn’t have big blocks of time to do what she wanted to do. She found she had to use 15 minutes here and 10 minutes there and the Lord would magnify her efforts and multiply her output. The same can happen to us.
Please leave me a comment or just your name and email address and I’ll choose two (2) lucky winners next week!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Give-Away is Coming!
Another give away is on the way. I'm giving away 2 CD's so watch for further information!
Parenting Tip #73 Values Journal
I stood outside on the school playground crying, desperately wishing I was home with my mother. I was a new kindergartener and very shy. As I cried, a boy came up to me—his name was Larry—and he held out a tiny, miniature green hairbrush. “Here,” he said, “you can have this if you stop crying.”
I took the small hairbrush, intrigued because it was so small and cute, and I stopped crying. I fell in love with Larry and liked him all the rest of my elementary school days.
Larry taught me about compassion—feeling another’s pain and doing something about it.
I remember this first experience that taught me about compassion. But I don’t remember my first experience learning about honesty, or patience or forgiveness. I wish I did. But I didn’t write them down.
Wouldn’t it be invaluable to have your children record their own experiences as they learn about these values and others?
My daughter-in-law, Katie, has a business called Meaningful Moments where she helps adults/children record and publish their own experiences so they can “pass on the values they’ve lived by and the lessons they’ve learned”.http://www.mymeaningfulmoments.com/ What a great legacy to leave to your posterity.
Once a month, perhaps on a Sunday, take time to have your children think of an experience they have had that helped them learn a lesson. If they are a preschooler they can draw a picture of it with you writing down in their words what happened. For older students, they can write/draw the experience and value they learned.
Buy or make a cute notebook just for these journal entries. Use gel pens, stickers or colored pencils to make the writing more fun. You’ll be accomplishing more than just preserving a history. You’ll be validating what your child has learned, you’ll be allowing your child to create and develop writing skills, and helping him think sequentially (Caution: Let this be a free, fun activity, not a school report that you are grading. Encourage your children to spell and write it in any way they want. This is their voice!).
What a great gift to give your children-the gift of remembering their childhood. And maybe, it will help you remember yours. So sit down next to your children, open up your values journal, and begin writing.
PS Here's a link to how to make THE CUTEST journals! My daughter made them for the cousins (in picture) for a Christmas gift. http://cuegly.blogspot.com/2009/09/purse-notebooks-tutorial.html
I took the small hairbrush, intrigued because it was so small and cute, and I stopped crying. I fell in love with Larry and liked him all the rest of my elementary school days.
Larry taught me about compassion—feeling another’s pain and doing something about it.
I remember this first experience that taught me about compassion. But I don’t remember my first experience learning about honesty, or patience or forgiveness. I wish I did. But I didn’t write them down.
Wouldn’t it be invaluable to have your children record their own experiences as they learn about these values and others?
My daughter-in-law, Katie, has a business called Meaningful Moments where she helps adults/children record and publish their own experiences so they can “pass on the values they’ve lived by and the lessons they’ve learned”.http://www.mymeaningfulmoments.com/ What a great legacy to leave to your posterity.
Once a month, perhaps on a Sunday, take time to have your children think of an experience they have had that helped them learn a lesson. If they are a preschooler they can draw a picture of it with you writing down in their words what happened. For older students, they can write/draw the experience and value they learned.
Buy or make a cute notebook just for these journal entries. Use gel pens, stickers or colored pencils to make the writing more fun. You’ll be accomplishing more than just preserving a history. You’ll be validating what your child has learned, you’ll be allowing your child to create and develop writing skills, and helping him think sequentially (Caution: Let this be a free, fun activity, not a school report that you are grading. Encourage your children to spell and write it in any way they want. This is their voice!).
What a great gift to give your children-the gift of remembering their childhood. And maybe, it will help you remember yours. So sit down next to your children, open up your values journal, and begin writing.
PS Here's a link to how to make THE CUTEST journals! My daughter made them for the cousins (in picture) for a Christmas gift. http://cuegly.blogspot.com/2009/09/purse-notebooks-tutorial.html
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Music Tip #69 Skype music recital
Saturday we had the 1st ever Shepherd Family Music Recital via skype. It involved 5 of my 7 children who live out of state in 5 different states and in 4 different times zones. I invited my grandchildren a month ago to practice the piano/cello and then said we would have a little recital via skype. (By the way, the other two children not involved live in AZ with me, but they don’t have children old enough to play the piano yet)
I was very apprehensive that our recital wouldn’t work. I found out you have to get a group account from skype, either as a one day use or permanent account. I chose the one day use for $5.00. Each participant has to have the most updated version of skype, which one of my daughters didn’t. But she was able to quickly update and join us.
And it worked!! It was so fun to see my children/grandchildren from Utah, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Florida all on the computer screen at the same time.
I chose who was going to play their piece next on the recital by giving clues to who the person was. They would raise their hand if the clue applied to them. One clue was: this person has had a lot of snow this winter. Everyone raised their hands except the Floridians! A funny thing my daughter, who lives in Florida, said was, “why are all of you wearing long sleeves when it’s so warm outside?”
We are definitely going to have another recital again. It’s great motivation to practice, it’s positive peer pressure (for adults to get a piece ready too), and it’s a wonderful way to keep long distance family close to each other. The refreshments are a little hard to figure out, though……
I was very apprehensive that our recital wouldn’t work. I found out you have to get a group account from skype, either as a one day use or permanent account. I chose the one day use for $5.00. Each participant has to have the most updated version of skype, which one of my daughters didn’t. But she was able to quickly update and join us.
And it worked!! It was so fun to see my children/grandchildren from Utah, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Florida all on the computer screen at the same time.
I chose who was going to play their piece next on the recital by giving clues to who the person was. They would raise their hand if the clue applied to them. One clue was: this person has had a lot of snow this winter. Everyone raised their hands except the Floridians! A funny thing my daughter, who lives in Florida, said was, “why are all of you wearing long sleeves when it’s so warm outside?”
We are definitely going to have another recital again. It’s great motivation to practice, it’s positive peer pressure (for adults to get a piece ready too), and it’s a wonderful way to keep long distance family close to each other. The refreshments are a little hard to figure out, though……
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Parenting Tip #72 I'm Bored
"I'm bored," your child says.
What is your response? I recently heard a talk and the speaker said you should shout, "Hallelujah!" The speaker then went on to say our children need to be more "unplugged" and have less structured activities and lessons. They need more time to play and invent--which comes from being "bored".
I remember several years ago--okay, many, many years ago--my husband and I had taken our 7 children to visit his aunt and uncle at their cabin in the mountains. We had come up to visit so our children could sing for them. But after our little performance, there wasn't much else to do. My husband promptly took a nap, the aunt and uncle disappeared, and the kids and I had hours in front of us with nothing to do. Well, the kids had plenty to do--exploring the woods and creek. I was the one who was TOTALLY BORED. No book to read--nothing.
I was about ready to walk the 100 miles home when I told myself to get a grip on myself. I thought, "what can I do while I'm here with what I brought." I had brought our camera so the thought came to me to make an alphabet book with photographs of the kids in nature. The next 2 hours were the most fun I've had. We brainstormed and found lots of ways to demonstrate the letters in the alphabet. Then a few days later when we were back home, my children helped put all the pictures in order to make our alphabet book.
This has been such a fun book to look at over the years, that at Christmas last year, I took alphabet pictures of my grandchildren who were visiting and made them their own alphabet book.
So if YOU or your children ever get bored (you're saying, yea, like when was the last time I was bored), just say, "YES! Hallelujah!" Then look around and start creating!
What is your response? I recently heard a talk and the speaker said you should shout, "Hallelujah!" The speaker then went on to say our children need to be more "unplugged" and have less structured activities and lessons. They need more time to play and invent--which comes from being "bored".
I remember several years ago--okay, many, many years ago--my husband and I had taken our 7 children to visit his aunt and uncle at their cabin in the mountains. We had come up to visit so our children could sing for them. But after our little performance, there wasn't much else to do. My husband promptly took a nap, the aunt and uncle disappeared, and the kids and I had hours in front of us with nothing to do. Well, the kids had plenty to do--exploring the woods and creek. I was the one who was TOTALLY BORED. No book to read--nothing.
I was about ready to walk the 100 miles home when I told myself to get a grip on myself. I thought, "what can I do while I'm here with what I brought." I had brought our camera so the thought came to me to make an alphabet book with photographs of the kids in nature. The next 2 hours were the most fun I've had. We brainstormed and found lots of ways to demonstrate the letters in the alphabet. Then a few days later when we were back home, my children helped put all the pictures in order to make our alphabet book.
This has been such a fun book to look at over the years, that at Christmas last year, I took alphabet pictures of my grandchildren who were visiting and made them their own alphabet book.
So if YOU or your children ever get bored (you're saying, yea, like when was the last time I was bored), just say, "YES! Hallelujah!" Then look around and start creating!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Music Tip #68 Gourd Instruments
The art teacher and I are collaborating on a unit—gourd instruments. I’ve been interested in making musical instruments with gourds for several years, and made some a few years ago for an African unit. This year I thought it would be fun to have the students paint and decorate their own gourds in their art class, then we would use them and create rhythms in our music class and then perform for the parents.
In February, Casa Grande had a gourd festival and my husband and I went and bought over $300 worth of gourds. Do you realize how many different varieties there are of gourds? Lots! I was prepared, though, because the art teacher, Shannon, and I had already decided which classes would get which type of gourd (3rd grade – 6th grade).
Now for the past couple of weeks the students have been painting their gourds and today during music we started using them to plan a musical performance to show the parents. Here’s the scary thing, though. I didn’t plan the lesson or musical performance for each class. I decided I would let each class create their own musical number.
I love these guided, open ended lessons because the students come up with such fun, creative ideas—better than what I could think of. It’s also a great way to provide an activity where cooperation and communication is needed.
Since the students researched and used Native American symbols on the gourds, I played several different selections of Native American music for them to listen to. We read about different tribes and their music and instruments in our student music books. Then I told them a couple of Native American folk stories, showed them some dances and suggested how we could use both recorders and their gourds to enhance the music or add interest.
Then came the creative part. I let the students suggest ideas for our musical presentation, we voted on the ideas and then started putting our performance together. It was a rewarding day.
In February, Casa Grande had a gourd festival and my husband and I went and bought over $300 worth of gourds. Do you realize how many different varieties there are of gourds? Lots! I was prepared, though, because the art teacher, Shannon, and I had already decided which classes would get which type of gourd (3rd grade – 6th grade).
Now for the past couple of weeks the students have been painting their gourds and today during music we started using them to plan a musical performance to show the parents. Here’s the scary thing, though. I didn’t plan the lesson or musical performance for each class. I decided I would let each class create their own musical number.
I love these guided, open ended lessons because the students come up with such fun, creative ideas—better than what I could think of. It’s also a great way to provide an activity where cooperation and communication is needed.
Since the students researched and used Native American symbols on the gourds, I played several different selections of Native American music for them to listen to. We read about different tribes and their music and instruments in our student music books. Then I told them a couple of Native American folk stories, showed them some dances and suggested how we could use both recorders and their gourds to enhance the music or add interest.
Then came the creative part. I let the students suggest ideas for our musical presentation, we voted on the ideas and then started putting our performance together. It was a rewarding day.
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