Adventures in Music

In this multi sensory music appreciation class, students will listen to different portions of classical pieces of music each week and do a hands on activity. We will listen to Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel.  We will explore music through movement and art and story telling.  This class will be teacher lead, with students interacting with the music, the teacher, and each other, while practicing our listening skills. We will discuss different aspects of the music and how we feel while listening the music. Each class will include movement, and a hands on activity with either art or using simple items for a musical instrument. We will use materials around our house for instrumental activities (examples: spoons, rice in a jar, hair brush, etc), we will also practice body percussion. Parental assistance will be needed to prepare the simple activities.  We will use art materials such as water color paints, markers, crayons for art projects while we listen. We will practice putting stories to the musical piece.  No prior knowledge needed, but good listening skills is advised.  A supply list will be made available for common materials.  
Week 1: We will talk about the beat of music, we will practice different tempos of beats. we will listen to a portion of a Bach piece. While listening students will move their bodies to the music we will discuss what they heard and why they chose to move in the way they did.
Week 2:  We will talk about the sound or dynamics of music, we will practice different dynamics with two spoons or clapping. we will listen to a portion of a Beethoven piece. While listening students will draw a picture of what they think of when they are listening to the music. We will discuss what we heard, what the tempo was, and how they felt.
Week 3: We will listen to a portion of a piece by Mozart.   Students will create something out of play do while listening to the music. We will discuss our creations and what we heard in the music.
Week 4: We will listen to a portion of a piece by Handel and talk about rhythm. We will practice different rhythms with a plastic bowl and spoon.
Week 5: We will listen to a portion of a piece by Tchaikovsky and paint a water color painting. We will discuss what we hear in the music. 
Week 6:  We will listen to a portion of a piece by Aaron Copeland and we will make our own percussion instrument- a rain stick!
Week 7:  We will listen to a portion of a piece by Sousa and we will march with the beat. We will practice making up our own rhythms.
Week 8:  We will listen to two different pieces of music. Students will write words that they think of or draw pictures, while listening. We will fill out a compare and contrast diagram, having the students talk about which piece they liked better and why.