Little Bears Family Homeschool Study Notes

Music and Dance

Introduction

In much the same was as for art, Charlotte Mason advocated introducing children to classical music in order that they might "develop a relationship" with the composers and their work, classical music representing humankind's very best musical offering. Although I wouldn't necessarily disagree with Charlotte Mason on that point, it would be our intention also to include the "best" of other musical genres: jazz, rock, country, folk and pop, for example

It is also our intention to encourage our children to actively take part in making music (Even now we get out our selection of instruments and make plenty of noise, not to mention jump around!) and, to that end, in the first instance we go along to a local mothers-and-toddlers music group run by the local C of E church. We also have a "Music and Dance" slot on the timetable for every day, when we listen to the radio/ LP/ tape/ CD. Usually it's whatever Tommy chooses, but I do have plans to channel it, for example, into different genres for each day. My idea is along the lines of Mon: Classical & choral (including hymns), Tues: Jazz, Wed: Folk & country, Thur: Rock & pop, Fri: Nursery rhymes/ Children's/ Tommy's choice! Comments?!

Money, as always, is a problem, so as an alternative to purchasing music to keep, it is worthwhile making the most of whatever you are able to pick up on radio. For classical, you might try Classic FM on 100.9 FM, or Radio 3 (for the more discerning listener?!) on *. Radio 4 (*) also plays as well as discusses classical music on certain programmes, as well as much else educational.

For Jazz, try Jazz FM (sadly we can rarely pick this up as it's really only a London station) on 102.2 FM. Recommendations please for other genres.

Themes

Music: * Rhythm * Tone * Tune * Harmony * Disharmony * Instruments: Woodwind, string, brass, percussion * Orchestration * Conducting * Written music * Tempo * Individual composers and their work * Genres: Classical, choral, Jazz, rock, country, folk, pop, etc. * Dance: * Folk & tribal dance * Ballet * tap * ballroom: waltzes, Latin: Tango, Salsa, Disco, Jive, ice-skating *

Recommendations for Literature/ Textbooks

• An Usborne Guide: "Ballet and Dance" £6.95
• "The Usborne Story of Music" £6.99 (This may or may not be "The Story of Music" by Yehudi Menuin. If so, it is brilliant. It is a good basic introduction to the study of music, explaining basic concepts and terms used in music, as well as telling the story of the history of music. Warmly recommended. I'll do some checking and let you know.)
• "Music Theory for Beginners" (Usborne) £8.99
• DK Eyewittness Guides: "Music" and "Dance"

Suggestions would be welcome

Recommendations for
Music Books/ Tapes/ Records/ CDs

Music Books/ Collections of Songs

• Hymn Books: "Redemption Hymnal"

Tapes/ Records/ CDs

• "A Child's First Book of Lullabies" with paintings by Mary Cassatt Book £8.99 hb and cassette £4.99, published by DK

Suggestions would be welcome

Internet Resources

The National Curriculum for Music at Key Stage 1.

UK Schools Resource Index, Creative & Performing Arts page:- http://www.liv.ac.uk/~evansjon/arts/menu.html

Blue Web'n:- http://www.kn.packbell.com/wired/bluewebn

Suggestions would be welcome

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© Sharon Mortemore
08 September, 1999