Monday, August 24, 2009

Music Resources: Recorder and Singing

The Music teacher at our school and I have a very positive relationship. This year when we sat down to talk, I requested that first and second grade students be introduced to the recorder (this had previously been done starting at third grade). She was open to the idea and we'll be doing it! She also really liked the idea of using the pentatonic scale, since this gives the children fewer notes to learn before they can play "real" songs. It is also so pleasing to the ear that it gives a greater feeling of success in the young child. We talked about how she wanted better resources for teaching the recorder and also more seasonal songs and some little skit or story perhaps that would be suitable for the Thanksgiving dinner. I was happy to help! Here are the resources I lent her:

Playing and Teaching the Pentatonic Flute and Pentatonic Recorder by David Darcy - includes CD
(link is to his website/online store so you can see what else he's written)

Waldorf Teacher's Companion to the Pentatonic Flute by John Miles/Promethean Press

Let's Dance and Sing: Story Games for Children arranged by Kundry Willerth

Let Us Form a Ring by Nancy Foster/Acorn Hill

Movement Journeys and Circle Adventures: Movement Enrichment with a Therapeutic Approach for Early Childhood by Nancy Blanning and Laurie Clark

Let's Sing and Celebrate: 105 Original Songs for Seasons and Festivals by Colin Price

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