Australian readers of this blog may have seen the art installation at the Victorian Art Gallery of lots of metal balls floating around a pool and gently tinkling against each other. Continuing very hot weather has prompted lots of water activities here and I was reminded of this idea recently, so we tried it at kinder. Metal bowls floating in water and gently striking each other to make quiet music is a lovely idea, and in fact the water music is very pleasing – but first Bella had to explore the bowls, which meant vigorous splashing and making tsunamis of waves, filling and sinking them and having fun! Metal balls would offer a clearer focus on the sounds, but the balls are still in the catalogues and the bowls were in the cupboard. Did the (brief) aesthetic experience register for Bella, or only for me? I do know that she was responding to the sensory and movement possibilities of this experience, we were sharing oral language and developing vocabulary around filling, sinking, waves, force and that she was communicating her observations. The sounds created were a part of that.
Category Archives: music & movement
Finding out about guitars
we had so much fun playing our pretend guitars last term! We asked families if they knew anyone who plays the guitar – and Bill does. He came in this week to show us a little bit about it and to play us some songs. It was lovely to hear the music of the guitar and to sing along to it. Visits such as these are very helpful in extending children’s understanding and learning – about music and instruments this time, but a community or family member really focuses the children’s attention. And when we value the resources that our families have to offer, it emphasises to all the children, not just the particular grand-child, that families matter, they are welcomed and appreciated and they can help to shape our learning.
Thanks for sharing your music with us, Bill!
our own guitars
Zack was walking around on Monday, strumming a long plank and singing happily. With no guitar on the premises, what do we do to promote his and the others’ further learning? We found some good guitar music, but what else? What is the key here? Zack loves music. And he has started to develop imaginatively and to connect socially. Music is great for both these aspects of learning. On Tuesday we offered the children the chance to make their own guitar. This turned out to have a strong appeal for everyone – some had to wait for a turn until the next day.
We had some cardboard that the children could cut themselves, with effort. Some wanted to use the template while others drew freehand. It soon became apparent that they needed to measure the string to make sure it would be long enough, and also that having the help of a friend made the job of attaching it easier.Some thought of a strap, others decorated their guitar. Then we all played like a rock band to the song Kangaroo Rock. It was deadly!
The Dream Drum
We have had a bit of a drumming theme this year, with strong interest and a real ear for beat and rhythm evident in the children, often daily drumming explorations outside on the music mat, and our exciting African drumming experience as well.
We have purchased a very special drum that enables some haunting sounds to be created by the children when they slow down and listen….
Jobe was also fascinated by the fact that it was made from a gas barbeque cylinder – a really unique piece of recycling.
music with the year 7s
We had a visit from the Year 7s, it was really exciting to have them come down and visit us, it was a good contribution to our transition program, building the Kinder children’s connections with the “big kids”. Before they came, we had the use of one of their xylophones – it was interesting to see how respectful and careful the children were of this instrument – perhaps because it is a tuned instrument, and you can really make beautiful music? Cuddles, our visitor from Manangatang kinder, thought so.
And we all had a lesson on the ukelele, we learnt how to play “c”.
and eggs again!
Egg and spoon races are a fun way to connect with the children’s enjoyment of all things eggy. The “races” are strictly for participation, not prizes.
The challenge to focus and balance and the resilience needed to pick it up and start again are both great lessons in this game. And the satisfaction in conquoring a new skill is clear.
Lots of little sea cratures with Barry Peters
This music and storytelling visit was really worthwhile – interactive, educational (did you know that sharks have their noses all along the side of their bodies? or that sea stars eat through their bottoms?) and fun. We will be singing and dancing Barry’s songs quite a bit after this, thanks to Youtube clips for reminding us of how to do some of them. But the children might also remember that the rubbish people drop ends up in the ocean.
And now a question: can you pick the child who was a bit worried at the start of the visit, because they are a little unsure about new experiences? With everyone being silly (Barry’s request) it might be a bit difficult – but she had completely relaxed and enjoyed the experience by the end – a credit to Barry and his way of relating to the children. Thanks Barry!
African drumming
We are busy with visits at present, on Tuesday we had a visit from Shaba, from Ghana, and we did some African drumming. It was loud, and vigorous and exciting (though a couple of children found it too overwhelming and spent most of the session at the back end of the room. Although this visit was not enjoyable for these children, the next time they encounter something similar they may be a little more able to respond more positively, because they have been reassured about the strangeness of it this time.) Shaba also told us a little about his country and we got a tiny glimpse of how different it is. Music is a great way to expose children to diversity and otherness – in an enjoyable and memorable way! Thanks for coming Shaba!
Together we can be healthy!
Last week we received a reply from Captain Carrot to our invitation that he could come to visit us – he was very busy but suggested sending his cousin Casey Carrot instead – and he came on Thursday.
In readiness we thought some more about what’s healthy to eat – and made badges about fruit and vegetables. We have been practicing our Super Me and the Emu song, both about eating fruit and vegies, and made some Captain Carrot puppets to use. And Thursday morning we made apple triangles, finely chopped apple in a triangle of pastry – no sugar!
Casey helped us to recall the important ways we can be healthy – eating healthy food, drinking water and getting lots of exercise.
And he gave us some power wrist bands – so that “Together we can be healthy!”
Thanks Casey!
The joy of bears (and honey)
We had a visit from our teddy bears to finish the term off.
They helped us to eat the honey joys we had made on Tuesday.
Which tasted great outside at our picnic.
And we played “8 in the bed” – twice – and so everyone was able to get a go.
Every bear (or other friend) was different – but they all had fun at kinder!
