"Almost all children respond to music. Music is an open-sesame, and if you can use it carefully and appropriately, you can reach into that child's potential for development." Dr. Clive Robbins

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Sun and My Shadow

  Letter T Number 18
Monday and Tuesday
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time
Instruments:  You are my Sunshine-w/ instruments
 Social- Here Comes the Sun w/ questions-musical chairs
Counting-5 little Speckled Frogs
Music Appreciation/Readiness--Pick a Card ABC’s
Small and Large Movement Skills-- Shadow Dancing or Hokey Pokey
ABC/Reading-Three Blind Mice w/ Bells
Singing—Child Chooses Songs

10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)-Prezles & Pudding
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Sun Catchers
10:45  Math/Science Skills-Numbers Bingo
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song

Wednesday and Thursday
Sadie’s Spotlight Today!
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time (Small and Large Movement, Instruments, Counting, Music Appreciation/Readiness, ABC/Reading, Singing)
Instruments—You are my sunshine--Instrument Jam and then sunshine props
Counting—Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Musical Bingo-learning musical Symbols and signs
Small and Large Movement Skills—I’m a little Groundhog (I'm a little groundhog, furry and round. you may see me pop out of the ground. When I see my shadow, down I stay. Six more weeks of winter is on its way)
ABC/Reading:  Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs

10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks) Applesauce
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Shadow Art
10:45  Math/Science Skills-Telephone Practice
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song
Announcements:  Just a reminder that we need old CD's and DVD's.  I need just a few more and then we will have enough for the class.  We have music therapy students for our 4-5 year old class this semester. They are so much fun.  Here is a little about both of them:  My name is Jazmine. I am a Music Therapy major with a minor in psychology. I am the oldest of four kids, with two younger brothers and the most adorable younger sister. I love the outdoors (can I say I am ready for summer?), cooking, reading, and teaching swimming. I served a full-time LDS mission in Hungary and loved my time spent there.I'm Maddy Kimball, and I'm from Lubbock, Texas. I came up to Utah State for the music therapy program, which I fell in love with and realized it was perfect for me after hearing about it through a "What Career Is Best for You?" test i found online. True story.
Anyways, music has always been a pretty big part of my life. I started piano lessons when I was 7 and learned flute and guitar later on when I was older. I'm the oldest of 5 kids--I have 3 younger brothers and a little sister. Some things I love to do (aside from playing music) are read, sleep, eat, paint with watercolors, do ZUMBA, and watch nerdy movies.

Home Challenge:  Have you tried having your 4-5 year old child read to you some simple books yet?  Let them sound the words out and I think you will be surprised how well they can read.  I recommend the “Red Books” at the Library.  The series of books is called “Reading for All Learners”  It starts with “I see Sam” and they approach reading in a simple step by step method.  http://www.iseesam.com/   For the 3-4 year olds be sure you are taking time everyday to read 20 minutes a day.  The more you read to them the more they will be interested in reading.  Reading is key to school success so keep doing it!  If you child isn’t sounding out words yet I would recommend you just continue reading to them and having them point out letters to you or you asking them to find a word that begins with the letter… P for example.

Friday, January 17, 2014

My Hands

My Hands  Letter: R Number:17
No School Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday Outline
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up—Peg Boards and Knexs
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time
Instruments—He’s got the Whole World in his Hands
Counting-I have 5 little fingers
Social—Listening, Sharing and Passing Song “tap the tambourine”
Music Appreciation/Readiness/ --Finger Number game—Play as partners
Small and Large Movement Skills—Do as I’m Doing
ABC/Reading—Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs

10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)—Graham Crackers
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Bead Necklaces
10:45  Math/Science Skills:  Phone Number Practice
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song

Basic Outline:
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up-- Peg Boards and Knexs
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Oh When the Saints-Marching Band
Counting—Ode to Joy-Counting with number cards
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Find all the two black keys with 2 and 3 fingers
Social—“My Own Two hands” Music Listening and
Drawing what I can do with my hands—Share with class
Small and Large Movement Skills—Open and Shut Them
ABC/Reading:  BINGO
Singing—Child Chooses Songs

10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)-Popcorn
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)--Playdough
10:45  Math/Science Skills:  Phone Number Practice
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song
Announcements:  No School on Monday!
We need some Old CD’s or Videos.  They can be scratched, broken.  We need two for every student so if you could ask around and see what you can find that would be great! The craft for this is next week.
This week in our 4-5 year old class we had two music therapy students visit our class room.  They are starting to help with our music time on Thursdays.  I am going to send you more information about each student via e-mail soon.  They are super excited to work with your children and it's a great opportunity to learn new skills and songs from them!

Home challenge:  The weekend is a great time to play games as a family.  Games teach so many valuable skills such as, learning to take turns, numbers, letters, colors, and more.  I challenge you to find time to play a game with your preschooler.  If you don’t have any games appropriate for this age you can buy some really nice games at Red Balloon Toy store.  You can also make a homemade game, get some ideas from this link:   http://www.pinterest.com/pamdyson/make-your-own-board-game/

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Winter Fun

Winter Fun:  Letter P, Number 15
Monday and Tuesday
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Marching UP w/ Drums
Large Movement Skills Social- Walking in the Air w/ scarves process their favorite things about winter
Counting- Ode to Joy with number cards
Music Appreciation/Readiness-- Treble Clef and Bass Clef placement
Small and Large Movement Skills-Snow is Falling all around
ABC/Reading- Alphabet Rumba w/ new letters
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)-Oranges
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)--Snowflakes
10:45  Math/Science Skills-Number Bingo
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song

Wednesday and Thursday
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time –Spotlight Brock
Hello Song
Instruments-“Winter Wonderland” with Instruments
Social-“It Snowed” w/ bean bag-tell one thing they can do in the snow
Counting-Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Lines and Space Toss
Small and Large Movement Skills-Once there was a snowman
ABC/Reading ABC letters starting on a different letter
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks) –Cereal Trail Mix
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Shaving Cream Snowman
10:45  Math/Science Skills-Phone Number Practice
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song

Announcements:  We are going to have music therapy students from  Utah State come once a week again.  This time they will be coming to the 4-5 year old class.  I will have them write a little biography for you and send it so you can know a little more about them once they begin.  We will begin learning phone numbers this week.  If I haven’t heard from you I will just choose one of the numbers I have on file.

Homework:  For those of you who have students who will be starting Kindergarten this year it’s time to be getting ready for registration.  Have you considered visiting your local public elementary and finding out when registration is, what requirements there are to register.  Are you up to date on your child’s vaccinations?  These are things to think about now.  When I was going to register my first child into school, I knew there was a charter school not too far from my house and decided I would just visit it to see what it was all about and then compare it to the public school.  I had no intention of sending my son there but after visiting both schools, my husband and I agreed this was the school that would be best for our family.  I am so grateful that I took the time to do this.  In this valley there are a lot of options for elementary school so check them out. We really have an advantage when there is more then one choice.  Here is the schools that I know about.  There may be more I don’t know so start asking around and choose the school that you know will help your child succeed and one you feel good about.
Public school kindergarten is usually in March. I couldn’t find any specifics online so you may want to start with the school to get more information.   http://www.ccsdut.org/index.cfm
Thomas Edison Charter School-There is one in Nibley and one in North Logan.  Kindergarten is selected by lottery and they hold their lottery January 20th.  They require you to visit the school and observe two classrooms so you have an idea of the teaching philosophy.  They also have you view a short video before you can register.  The school is public so there is no tuition fee. We have loved our experience at this school. http://www.thomased.org/
Edith Bowen Lab School is up on USU campus.  This is also a public charter school with no tuition.  This school has many hands on learning experiences.  For information on admission visit: http://edithbowen.usu.edu/htm/admissions
Bear River Charter School:  located at 75 S 400 W.  This school is small and has small class sizes.  They only take 20 students per grade.  The school teaches K-8th grade.   Enrollment is done by lottery and that takes place Feb.  11 2012 so you may want to check into this soon if you are interested.  http://www.brcs-logan.org/
For those students who still have another year before Kindergarten it is also time to think about preschool registration:
I will be starting preschool registration for the 2014-2015 school year on February 1st.  I wanted to give my preschool families first picks.  So here is the scoop.  I will be teaching two 4-5 year old classes next year on Tuesday and Thursday.  One class will be 9-11 am and the afternoon class will be from 12:30-2:30.   I will be giving any returning students a discount of $5 a month so it would be $55 a month.  .  If you are interested in keeping your child at Music Train please print off a registration form from the blog and turn that in with the registration fee so I can hold a slot open for you.  I will also have some registration forms printed off in my front entry way.  If you do not need another t-shirt you only need to pay $25.  Otherwise the registration fee is $35.   I will teach one 3-4 year old class on Friday Mornings from 9-11 am.  This will be just a once a week class.  I will also continue to teach the music classes at the Smithfield Recreation Center for children ages 0-5 and their parents.  I’m looking to hold these classes on Wednesday mornings.  

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Dinosaurs!

Dinosaurs Letter: N  Number: 15
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle Time (Small and Large Movement, Instruments, Counting, Music Appreciation/Readiness, ABC/Reading, Singing)
Instruments—Going on a Dino Hunt (instruments for sound effects)
Social— What Dinosaur would you be?
Counting- Counting-10 little Dinosaurs
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Lines and Space Toss
Small and Large Movement Skills-Walk the Dinosaur
ABC/Reading—ABC mix up
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)-Dino Snacks
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Paint our Dino Feet & Paint Stamp Dinosaurs
10:45  Math/Science Skills—Sort the Dinosaurs—walk on 2 legs or all 4
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song



9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  Music Circle
Hello Song
Instruments—Dino Jam
Social—Show and Tell!
Counting-10 little Dinosaurs
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Learn the difference of Treble and Bass Clef
Small and Large Movement Skills-Hokey Pokey Dino Style
ABC/Reading—ABCosourses
Singing—Student of the Day Chooses Songs
10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime (story read by teacher while eating snacks)-Preztle Cheese Dinosaurs
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Tie Ribbon and finish up Dino Feet
10:45  Math/Science Skills—Sequence size of dinosaur models large-small
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song


Calendar:  This week is Show and Tell.  We have Show and Tell on Wednesday or Thursday.  Since we just had a holiday I thought it would be fun for each student to share either something they got for Christmas they are excited about or tell us about something they did they really enjoyed.
Home Project: I would like to work on phone numbers with the students starting next week.  Could you please send me what phone number you would like your child to know to best get a hold of you. This is important information to know especially before Kindergarten.
This will also emphasis number recognition as well. Practice dialing your phone number
on a “fake” phone at home. If they are having a hard time remembering the number I
recommend putting it to music. It fits well with the “Bingo” song. “My phone number is
seven long and I can dial home, 512-6094, 512-6094, 512-6094 and I can dial home (or I can dial mommy).”