Story Time and Early Literacy – Songs, rhymes and story time are used to develop phonetic awareness and early reading skills, while strengthening a child’s natural love of literature.
Instrument Exploration – There will be lots of hands-on percussive instrument time, which helps to improve hand-eye coordination. Playing percussive instruments is purposely designed to help children identify steady beat and practice self-control.
Movement Activities – Dancing and moving to music creates body awareness, facilitates balance and the development of fine and gross motor skills, and fosters a child’s imagination.
Focused Listening – This class is structured in a way that offers an opportunity for children to enhance their listening skills and their ability to follow direction.
All ABC classes are presented in sessions, and each session focuses on a particular theme. Here is some information about the current and upcoming sessions.
Spring Session (8 weeks) – On the Road (May 3 – June 26, 2010)
On the Road takes us on imaginary trips to vacation destinations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach. We will travel on a pretend bus named “Van Go” and will be singing campfire songs around a fire made of rhythm sticks, flashlights and red scarves. There will be lots of hands-on instrument time and creative musical play.
Home Materials: Home CD, Book, Frog Guiro Instrument
Summer Session I (4 weeks) – Jazz Kitchen (June 28 – July 24, 2010)
Using the story Noodles From Scratch, children will discover musical terms and concepts. We will explore sounds that go high and low, and others that slide up and down, putting these into play with scat singing and a combination of percussive instruments. The music in class will include pieces with jazzy vibes and bass, with the saxophone setting the backdrop. We will sing and play lots of different instruments as we groove along to Jazz.
Home Materials: Home CD, Streamer, magazine-style Family Guide
Summer Session II (4 weeks) – Giggles (July 26 – August 21, 2010)
Giggles is all about laughter, humor and fun. The children will hear and tell knock-knock jokes and dance silly dances while helping to develop their sense of humor. They will hear instruments found in American Folk Music, including the banjo, washboard, saw, spoons and jaw harp. In class the children will explore the concepts of fast and slow in all kinds of ways, with their hands, bodies and instruments.
Home Materials: Home CD, One Harmonica Instrument, and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class “story,” a series of knock-knock jokes)
Current Session – Dance With Me & Drums, Drums, Drums (March 1 – April 24)
In the first part of this unit we will explore different dance styles, hear instruments in the orchestra, and learn a few dance steps, helping to strengthen memory and the ability to follow direction. In the second half of the unit the emphasis will be on drums and African instruments. There will be many opportunities during class activities for the exploration of a variety of percussive instruments.
Home Materials: 2 CDs, 2 Magazine-style Family Guides, and Lumi Sticks
