Halloween Songs

Here are some Halloween songs that have proven to be a lot of fun.  I have added some visual cards and song maps.  Enjoy!
Halloween Songs

Great educational tool

Great video on the importance of music in education.  Music does make you smarter!


A Musical Mind

A Musical Mind

http://momshomeroom.msn.com/videos/4/252...

A visit to the Davenport School of the Arts reveals how making music enhances academic performance.

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And Our Winner is......

Leticia!  Thanks for entering the contest everyone and hope you enjoy all the wonderful games.

Please email me Leticia to get the free download!  my3redhead@ gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS!

Don't Miss our Giveaway!

Our drawing for the free Halloween Music Games is ending this Friday.  Don't miss your opportunity to enter.

Enter the giveaway by:
1. Commenting below (1 entry)
2. Linking the post on your website or blog.  Make sure you leave a comment telling me about your link. (3 bonus entries)
3. Posting about it on Facebook.  You must first like the Sing a Song page and then tag Sing a Song in your post. (3 bonus entries)

The drawing will be held on October 7th with http://www.random.org/.  I will post the winner on my blog and contact you through email.  Good luck!

Witch's Brew

Witch's Brew is one of my favorite games to play with the kids around Halloween time.

To play you need the cards below and some candy for reward.

Students pick a card and perform the rhythm.  For fun, I have a big, plastic cauldron for the kids to pick the cards out of.  The students perform the rhythm any way you choose: counting, pointing, clapping, tapping, etc. . .

If the student picks a witch card they get a piece of candy.  I have included some fun seasonal words to say the rhythms with as well.

Level One contains Quarter notes, Half notes, Dotted Half notes, Whole notes and Quarter Rests
Level Two adds in Eighth notes
NEW LEVEL THREE! adds Dotted Quarter notes

Another fun trick I like to use is getting a fake witch's finger to point to the rhythms.

CLICK HERE FOR Witch's Brew Game

Halloween Music Game Giveaway!

I have had a great response to my Halloween Music Games!  I want to thank everyone who has already purchased the product.

I am going to do a giveaway for one free download of the entire packet.  If you have already purchased the packet I would love for you to still participate in the giveaway.  If you are picked and already have paid me, I will refund your money!


Enter the giveaway by:
1. Commenting below (1 entry)
2. Linking the post on your website or blog.  Make sure you leave a comment telling me about your link. (3 bonus entries)
3. Posting about it on Facebook.  You must first like the Sing a Song page and then tag Sing a Song in your post. (3 bonus entries)

The drawing will be held on October 7th with http://www.random.org/.  I will post the winner on my blog and contact you through email.  Good luck!

Sneak Peek into Halloween Music Games Vol.1

The new Halloween Games Packet is a great resource for motivating and teaching kids about music.

One resource included that can be used year round is the Rhythm Cards.  There are 31 cards in level one introducing quarter notes, half notes, half rest, dotted half notes and whole notes.  Level Two also has 31 cards that introduce eighth notes.  These cards are resourceful for many rhythm drills and games.

The musical questions can also be used year round in different games and drills as well.  Many of the games can be adapted to fit any time of year.  Here are some samples:

Match the Cat to the Hat

Instruction Kit

Rhythm Cards Level One

Lonely Ghost Game

            

Don't Eat Jack

Includes: Games, printables and instructions

Games included are:

*  Match the Cat to the Hat: Key signature Game

*  Monster Tag: Fast paced game identifying musical concepts

*  Lonely Ghost Game: Keyboard and Note Recognition Game

*  Don't Eat Jack: Music Symbol Game that is a twist on Bingo

* Witch's Spell: Rhythm Card Game

Format: PDF

Pringint: 8.5' x 11' - Grayscale or Color
Price: $10.00

Instructions for purchasing:  Click on the Buy Now button.  You will be asked to pay with Paypal.  Once your transaction is accepted, an email will be sent with the games in a zip file.   Please email me at my3redhead@gmail.com with any questions.  Thank you for your purchase!

Halloween Music Games

Halloween Music Games Vol.1

I have been working hard on putting together a great resource just in time for Halloween.  The packet contains games that focus on rhythm, note recognition, keyboard recognition, key signatures and music concepts.

This packet contains great games focused around the spooky season of Halloween.  Teachers will love the "Witch's Spell," where kids are spellbound to perform rhythms in all kinds of wacky ways.  "Monster Tag" is a favorite for students.  They have so much fun, they forget their learning.  Other great games included are "Lonely Ghost," "Match the Cat" and "Don't Eat Jack!"

For more information visit Sneak Peek into Halloween Music Games Vol.1

Includes: Games, printables and instructions

Format: PDF

Printing: 8.5' x 11' - Grayscale or Color
Price: $10.00

Instructions for purchasing it with Paypal:  Click on the Buy Now button.  You will be asked to pay with Paypal.  Once your transaction is accepted, an email will be the games in a zip file.

Canon Blast

Here some pictures I captured of a fun game we played this week:  "Canon Blast"

First I have students pick a color for their pirate ship.  I have magnetic chips, or "magic notes" in a variety of colors for the students to choose from.  I love using this magnetic chips, but any bingo chips will do.  Don't have bingo chips?  Try placing a colored sticker on a penny.  You will need at least 20 of each color.

Students identify their notes with flashcards and if they identify it correctly they get to put a chip on the matching ship.  "Fire Canon One"

For a quick game you can have the student win the ship by placing one chip on the ship.  For more teaching opportunities, make it three chips. Whoever has blasted the most ships wins!

 

Great Gems: Aspects of a Great Musician

Each week I am going to focus on a different aspect of a great musician.  These will be my "Great Gems."


My different aspects will be

*  Notes: Good Reading and Listening
*  Rhythm: Steady Counting and Accuracy
*  Dynamics: Observes Louds and Softs
*  Articulation: Observes all markings
*  Focus: Listening to directions, Paying attention, 
                Keeps hands in lap
*  Prepared: Brings all materials, Completes assignments
*  Technique: Good Posture, Good Hand Position


Each week I plan on focusing on a different aspect.  We will talk about why this aspect is important and how to improve in our lesson time and practice.  


This week our "Great Gem" is FOCUS.  It really helped the students, especially the younger ones, understand what I mean when I say "Let's Focus".  I rewarded the student with a extra jewel to go with my Hidden Treasures Theme if they kept their FOCUS throughout the lesson.  If you are not doing an incentive you could reward them with a small piece of candy.  It really worked great!


Here is a picture of my "Great Gems" in my studio!  

Invoice App

Invoice2go App

I have been looking for an App that will send invoices to my piano students.  I tried out several apps and loved Invoice to Go.  This app has several great features, but overall I liked how easy it was to use.

You have several templates to choose from and you can even import your own logo.  Don't have a logo?  Pick one from the clip art provided.

Another great feature is the use of paypal built right in the invoice.  If you use paypal, it can be an easy way for parents to pay you.

You can also send a receipt once the student has paid.

Here are some screen shots:

Easily add customer name and item.  

See monthly, quarterly or yearly reports

Sample of email sent that works as a receipt

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Boom Songs

Click on the picture for a copy of these songs!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Song
Sung to"The Ant's Go Marching"
written by Jeana Beasley

A told B then B told C (Chicka, Chicka)

C told D and E and F (Chicka, Chicka)

I'll meet you at the top of the tree

Tell the other letters for me

And they all went climbing 

Up the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)

F told G then G told H (Chicka, Chicka)

H told I and J and K (Chicka, Chicka)

I'll meet you at the top of the tree

Tell the other letters for me

And they all went climbing 

Up the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)

K told L then L told M (Chicka Chicka)

M told N then O then P  (Chicka Chicka)

I'll meet you at the top of the tree

Tell the other letters for me

And they all went climbing 

Up the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)

P told Q then Q told R (Chicka Chicka)

R told S then T then U (Chicka Chicka)

I'll meet you at the top of the tree

Tell the other letters for me

And they all went climbing 

Up the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)

U told V then V told W (Chicka Chicka)

W told X then Y then Z (Chicka Chicka)

Oh no, what can it be?

There's not enough room in the coconut tree

And they all fell down 

Out of the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)

Out of the tree (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom)


Dare Double Dare  Sung to "Skip to my Lou"
written by Jeana Beasley

Dare double dare you can't catch me
Dare double dare you can't catch me
Dare double dare you can't catch me
I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree

A B C D E F G 

H I J K L M N O P

Q R S T U and V

W  X  Y and Z

Teaching Ideas:

1. Think of different ways to move: march to the beat, jump, skip, gallop

2. Play a version of Duck Duck Goose.  The child (IT) goes around the circle on the ABC part and on the letter Z whoever he touches on the head must try to tag him before the first child (IT) sits in the child's spot.  The group sings Dare double dare while they chase each other.

3. Have the children guess which letter you are chasing.  This letter says the "t" sound and starts words like "Tiger" and "Top".  Children could be holding different letters and whoever has the letter has been caught and must turn in their letter.  Another variation is to match the lowercase letter with the Uppercase letter.  Whoever has the letter that matches has been caught.  

Boom Chicka Boom

I said a boom chicka boom (I said a boom chicka boom)

I said a boom chicka boom (I said a boom chicka boom)

I said a boom chicka rocka, chicka rocka, chicak boom

(I said a boom chicka rocka, chicka rocka, chicak boom)

Oh Yeah (Oh Yeah) (Monster style)

Repeat using a monster voice

Other voices to try: Princess, Country, Opera, 

Mermaid style (hold nose), Baby style (whining), Librarian style (whisper)

Look who's coming!

written by Jeana Beasley

Chicka Chicka (shake hands) Boom Boom (pat lap)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Will there be (hands up) enough room? (pat lap)

Will there be enough room?

Look who's coming it's __A__?

   A, A,   A, A,  A,  A   Rhythm below 

Substitute different letters saying letter name or sound.

Other Resources:
The Virtual Vine
DLTK'S Printables and Crafts
Old Mother  Hubbard

Check out these Great Resources!

Fun Downloadable Music Games for FREE!

I came across a great resource today:  The Music Interactive.  The website has a lot of free games to download, including a fun STAFF WARS game.  You must register to download the games.  I can't wait to share these with my students!

Other great games are RHYTHM DICTATION, which has the student listen to a rhythm and choose the correct sequence from the rhythms provided.  You are able to choose what rhythms to include, so it is appropriate for different levels.

RHYTHM BLOCK is similar, except their patterns to choose from.

SPEED NOTE is not as exciting as Staff Wars, though it does have selectable levels.

Enjoy these fun games!

Staff Flashcards

Here are some staff note flashcards I use.  They go from Low C to High C.
I have two versions:  Plain flashcards and some smaller playing cards.


Staff Flashcards



Staff Playing Cards

Hidden Treasures Practice Assignment Record

I have modified my assignment sheet to record the progress of the students as they sail the high seas.

There is now a place to record how many jewels they have collected each week.  The graphic to the left is placed at the bottom of the assignment sheet.  For some reason it shows up a little blurry in the preview below, but it prints out clear!

For more information on this year's theme click: Hidden Treasures.

Google Docs: Hidden Treasures Piano Assignment Record

Treasure Map: Reward Incentive

Ahoy Mateys!  I have been swabbing the deck (cleaning my studio) and preparing to embark on our pirate journey this week!  I am using this treasure map as an incentive chart for my students.

For my treasure map, I will have students collect hidden treasure (jewels) for different accomplishments.

1 Jewel

·      Accomplishing a practice goal

·      Mastering a technique

·      Mastery of a piece

3 Jewels

                        ·    Memorizing a piece

·      Improvement in One Minute Score

·      Perform outside studio

·      Finish drill card

·      Complete 10 sight reading drills

·      Complete 10 rhythm drills

5 Jewels

·      Participate in Festival

·      Complete 10 pages of drill sheets

Here are the jewels I am giving away:  Just little tiny beads I got at Walmart.

When the student collects 5 beads I will mark them off on their Treasure Map.  When they reach a landmark and are promoted, I am going to reward them with a little pirate duck.  I got these from Amazon as well.  

I am thinking of making a big chart on the wall to chart everyone's progress along the map.  When and if I get this together, I will post about it.

At each group lessons student will spend their booty (jewels) in the treasure chest.  I have lots of goodies, big and small that will cost various amounts of jewels.  This way we only shop one time.  If students want to hold on to their jewels till the end of the year, they can, but they have to spend all their jewels at the last group lesson.

BONUS FIND!

I also made a super find at Office Depot during some back to school shopping:

These mini reward charts are from Eureka and come with gold coin stickers.  I found them on sale at these websites as well:

http://www.k12schoolsupplies.net/Treasure-Hunt-Mini-Reward-Charts-p/eu-837016.htm

Amazon

I plan on using the little charts for group lessons!  

Teaching Theme for 2011-12

Ahoy Mateys!  For the first time I am going to attempt a piano theme for the year.  Many other teachers center their teaching around a theme for the year to promote excitement and incentives for the year.  After working this year in a Music Camp where I used a pirate theme, I decided to take that theme and run with it.  So the theme for my studio for 2011-12 is


                                       Hidden Treasures!

I am already thinking of games and activities around the theme, but the first thing I wanted to do was make an incentive chart for the students using none other than a Treasure Map!  The students are going to collect jewels (inexpensive beads) to spend in the Treasure Chest and they can chart their progress on the map.

The map could be used in a variety of ways:
1. Mark off a dot for each goal reached
2. Mark off a dot for each piece (measures) memorized
3. Mark off a dot for each new technique mastered
4. Combination of any or all
5. Other incentives for the year

Each time the student meets a special symbol on the map (ship, pirate or treasure chest) they are promoted to a new position on the ship.

I am throwing around the idea of collecting a different pirate goodie each time they reach a symbol on the map.  I am either going with pirate silly bands or rubber duckies that look like pirates.  This would be in addition to the jewels they get to spend in the treasure chest.

I haven't worked out all the details, but I think they will need 5 jewels to cross off each dot on the map. Any ideas you guys have are more than appreciated!

Here is a look at the treasure map if you are interested in sailing the high seas with me:

Rhythm Blocks: Level Two

Rhythm Blocks have been a big hit in my studio!  I have added level two for some more complex rhythms.

We have been building rhythms with blocks based on the time signature.  One added benefit in using the blocks is they transfer well from the floor to the keyboard.  My students can make a rhythm on the floor and then take there blocks to the keyboard to play them using notes or chords.  This has been a great hands on activity.

For more ideas see Rhythm Blocks Level One

Google Docs: Rhythm Blocks: Level Two

Transfer Students

I recently had an interview with a transfer student and I wanted to really record my assessment, so I came up with a handy chart to record my observations.

I wanted to see how far they have progressed in rhythmic reading, note reading, chords, keys, ear training and musical terms.  It provided me with a great picture of where the student was at and since I recorded it, I can easily remember what the student needs to work on as well.

I also included a section on the student's interest and personality.  It was really great to get to know this new prospective student and to discover all the wonderful things they have learned and some of the things I can teach them.

Google Docs: Transfer Student Interview

Alphabet Blocks

A reader asked me to come up with some ideas inspired by the website: Filth Wizardry 
The creative folks at Filth Wizardry had come up with the idea to put words on Lego Duplo Blocks. 

Naturally, I came up with some Musical Alphabet Blocks.  Using printing labels from Avery Template 8160, size 1 x 2 5/8 I put the musical alphabet on the labels and then cut them to fit on the block.  


The possibilities for fun and learning with these blocks are endless.  I can't wait to try them with my students.  


Here are a couple of ideas:
1. Arrange them in A-G order
2. Arrange them in third order
3. Identify the interval
4. Have one block out, let's say it is E and have the student attach a third, fourth, etc. up or down.
5. Spell simple words: Bead, Face, Egg and play the notes on the keyboard or write them on a staff.  
6. Arrange the letters to make chords, inversions, scales.  A great teaching tool!
7. Game: Each player gets ten blocks.  Place one block out to be the starting block.  Place all other blocks in a pile, with the letter side turned over.  Players take turns building the alphabet forwards and backwards until they have used all of their blocks.  If they do not have a block to play they can pick a block from the pile.  If the block they picked can be played, they may play it.  If they cannot play it, then it is the next player's turn.


Google Docs: Alphabet Stickers






Check out my other use of Duplo Lego Blocks: Rhythm Blocks