End of the Year

At the end of the year, I enjoy wrapping things up by saving a day or two to sing and play the kids' favorite songs, games, and stories. You know how you have the kid who asks you every time they see you "Mrs. Jervis, are we going to play Closet Key today?" and you always have other things planned, well I think it is more than ok to let them re-live their most exciting musical memories. I even let them pick songs/games/books from previous years. I display our favorite books where they can be seen and explain  that it is going to be a students' choice day. I call on several quiet hands and we make a list of possibilities on the board. After we have a good assortment, I have the kids close their eyes and vote for two favorites. We start with the game/activity that has the most votes and go from there. Most classes have time to play 3-4 games in 30 minutes, it just depends on the activities.

It is fun for me to see what they remember. Some students picked games all the way back from October!

With every class they really seem to be amazed how many songs/games/books we did throughout the year, and they really just scratched the surface.

It makes for a really great review of the songs and concepts from throughout the year.

Another thing I do with my first graders to review the comparatives (Fast/Slow, Loud/Soft, High/Low) is a little End of the Year Comparatives Quiz.

I put it up on my Teachers Pay Teachers store as a flash freebie. For those who may not know, a flash freebie is free for a certain amount of time. You can take advantage of this free PDF today (5-14-13).

 Here is a list of the songs/chants that I use that correspond with the clip art above and an answer key.

"Two Little Stars" is an altered poem. I might use the Bella part and my pink star manipulative for number 8. Find the poem here.

"Mortimer" is a book that I use for loud/soft. The kids just love Mortimer. This book is great for loud/soft, fast/slow, high/low and vocal exploration, but I bring it out specifically for preparing loud/soft.

You can buy it on Amazon here:

I've also included a blank one in case you have different songs you would like to use in the download from my store.

You can find the file this quiz here.

What kind of activities do you do to wrap up your year?

Chants for Steady Beat and the "Way the Words Go"

When preparing/practicing steady beat and rhythm as "the way the words go" I have a few chants in my collection that my kids love. I also use these for comparatives: fast/slow, loud/soft, high/low.

I have put together a collection of five chants with slides and activities that is available on my TpT store here.

It includes slides for:

Teaching Ideas

Lyrics

Steady Beat Icons

Rhythm Icons

Rhythm Notation using Stick Notation

Printable beat tapping charts for students

The chants included in this collection are:

Bee Bee Bumblebee

Cinderella at the Ball

Engine, Engine Number Nine

I Climbed Up the Apple Tree

Queen Queen Caroline

Here are some sample pages from the set:

Bee Bee Bumblebee

Cinderella at the Ball

Engine Engine Number Nine

Activities: I usually pair with the book "The Freight Train" or "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain".

We add sand blocks when we are preparing and practicing fast/slow.

Train whistles- vocal exploration

 I Climbed Up the Apple Tree

 

We add this ostinato on Orff bordune. You could use this or make up your own.

Queen Queen Caroline

I use Queen Queen Caroline for loud/soft and high/low and connect with "Old King Glory" and the loveliest princess vocal exploration as learned from Jo Kirk so that we have a royal family day. They will make another appearance when Old King Glory travels to Boston to buy his wife a comb! ;)

All of these rhymes are also sold individually on my store.

What other chants do you like to use in your classroom?

Signs for Comparatives

These are cute little manipulatives that you can use with your little ones while working on the comparatives (fast/slow, loud/soft, high/low).

Simply print on white card stock, cut down center, and laminate.


Suggested ways to display:
- I have these glued to paint sticks. You could put them with opposites on the other side or make two separate sticks.

- You could also put magnets on back and put on your white board

- Use on a word wall

- Use on a bulletin board

They are even on sale at my TpT store through today!


Lindsay