Music

Tra la la! Do Re Mi! Uhem.

Just warming up for this week's Explorastory on music!

Books:

"Meeow and the Pots and Pans," by Sebastien Braun

"Farmer Joe and the Music Show," by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

"Pete the Cat," by Eric Litwin (aka Mr. Eric), illustrated by James Dean
You can download the song "I Love My White Shoes" for free by clicking here!

Other Books about Music:
"Tubby the Tuba," by Paul Tripp, illustrated by Henry Cole (comes with a wonderful audio CD)
"Song of Middle C," by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Scott Menchin
"The Remarkable Farkle McBride," by John Lithgow, illustrated by C.F. Payne
"Catfish Kate and the Sweet Swamp Band," by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith
"The Jazzy Alphabet," by Sherry Shahan, illustrated by Mary Thelen
"Violet's Music," by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
"Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin," by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
"Our Marching Band," by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal
"Jazz on a Saturday Night," by Leo Dillon
"Jazz Baby," by Lisa Wheeler

Click Here to Order these Books on the Heights Library Catalog

Activity: Since we're learning about music, I thought it was really important that we actually hear some music, right? I decided to bring my guitar in and do a couple ditties with the children. We all sang "The Wheels on the Bus" and I let them choose their own verses. Another great song to do with a guitar is "If You're Happy and You Know it." This is great because, like the other song, you can pause and let the children make up their own verses.

At the end of the storytime segment, I played the song "Dance Tonight" by Paul McCartney. This is a great song with a steady beat and I thought the kids could really get moving with it. I am lucky enough that our library has a cabinet full of various instruments just waiting to be played (different percussion instruments, bells, a triangle, drums, shakers, rhythm sticks, etc) and brought these for children to use and play along with the beat of the song. We ended up walking in a circle forming a musical parade! It was amazing and I think the children really enjoyed it.

Art Project: Paper plate tambourines!

First start by punching holes in two paper plates. You can choose as many holes as you want (I would suggest 3-5 holes) around the rims of the plates. Make sure the holes match up when you place the plates together.

When holes are punched, decorate the bottom of both plates however you'd like. I suggest markers, paint, and stickers.

When you are finished decorating, place the plates together with the top sides (the sides you eat on) facing each other. Take a small jingle bell and thread a short piece of pipe cleaner through it. Then take the pipe cleaner and thread it through both holes of the plates and twist the ends to bind them together. Take another jingle and repeat this step on every hole of the plate.