6 ‘Extraordinarily Engaging’ Ways To Teach Tweens The History Of Music

6 ‘Extraordinarily Engaging’ Ways To Teach Tweens The History Of Music

by | Oct 21, 2021

6 ‘Extraordinarily Engaging’ Ways To Teach Tweens The History Of Music

See below for a Free Printable Pack to go with the post.

The history of music is a really engaging way in which to bring music lessons to the middle school aged kids in your homeschool. 

Read through this post and download the worksheets I have made available so you can introduce your kids to music appreciation in a very fun and engaging way. 

 

Create A Playlist

Yes, this is one of the easiest things to do and one that your tweens will likely love. 

Select a specific era in music to focus on, then tell your tweens to create a playlist of music from that particular era in music. 

Next, listen to the playlist everyday for the next week or two during your usual homeschooling day. 

 

Composer And Instrument Studies

Your tweens can use the playlist that they created and research about the different composers whose music they were listening to and the instruments that were used in the compositions. 

Learn about the life and works of the composers, the origins and evolution of the instruments and much more. 

 

Create A Presentation

Research and create a presentation depicting life during the selected era. 

Your tweens can cover aspects such as food, transportation, political events, clothing, social structures, political structure, architecture and much more. 

Can you see, how you can start with music but expand it further?

 

Field Trips

Why not include some field trips and similar activities like going to the museum to learn more about the era, going to live performances of plays that were set in the era and more? 

Can you think of other field trip ideas?

Please comment below. 

 

History, And The Evolution Of Music As We Know It

You can take the presentation your tweens created about the selected era to a different level and ask them to research how major historic events in the given era influenced the music of the era and who the prominent musicians were and what inspired them.

 

Compose

How about asking your tweens to pretend to be composers and compose simple melodies that are in keeping with the style of music of the era? 

There is no right or wrong way to do this, just have them listen to music from the era and ask them to try to improvise similar melodies and rhythms. 

 

Do you think your tweens will like these ideas?

Comment below and let me know. 

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

Download the FREE History of Music Worksheets

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My Completely Honest Review Of Christmas Carols Made Easy

My Completely Honest Review Of Christmas Carols Made Easy

by | Oct 20, 2021

My Completely Honest Review Of Christmas Carols Made Easy

This post contains affiliate links.

If you click a link and purchase something, I may earn a small fee from the said company/manufacturer/seller or individual, from who you make the purchase.

Today I’m going to do something very different, something that I have never done in the past. Today, I’m going to review a music course created by a good friend of mine, Gena Mayo. 

Since it is the festive season and I want to add seasonal music to your home, I thought I should check out Gena’s Christmas Carols Made Easy course, and write a completely honest review about it, right here. 

 

So What Is This Course? 

Let me start off by telling you that unlike my courses, which are either courses on how to play the piano or how to appreciate music, this particular course by Gena is actually a singing course. Yes, that’s right. 

 

Singing. 

 

Fun don’t you think?

 

Wait but do I hear you saying why a singing course? 

 

We know how to sing carols, why do we need a singing course? 

 

I’m sure you do know how to sing. I do too. But this singing course is like no other. So please read through and you will understand why I think it is very unique. 

 

What Is Unique About This Course? 

For one, it introduces you and your entire family to singing carols from around the world. Yes, carols that are in different languages. While you may be very good at singing carols in English, do you know how to correctly pronounce and sing carols in different languages? 

 

In this course, not only does Gena teach you how to sing carols in French, German and other languages, but she also systematically walks you through the pronunciation as well. 

 

Furthermore, she has also provided MP3 accompaniments for each of the carols, and walks you through the difficult parts of each carol. There are even hand outs with further explanations and notes on what to look out for. 

 

Besides having over a dozen carols, Gena has also added bonus songs. She has even included breathing and voice training exercises, and all in all, provided a ton of value that is way over and above the $25 launch price for this course. 

 

The actual retail price of the course is $37, BUT for the duration of the launch sale (which ends on Saturday the 23rd of October), it is $25, and I can assure you that she has provided a ton of quality material. 

 

If all of the above isn’t enough, Gena has also provided the most adorable printables so the youngest members of your household will also be able to join in the fun in their own little creative way. 

 

Cons – Yes There Are Cons To This Course….

All you skeptics out there didn’t expect this did you? 

 

No worries, I am a skeptic myself and totally understand if you think that my review so far has been a tad biased to the positive side. 

 

But wait…..there is in fact a downside, and I want to point out that in my opinion this course does have a BIG downside.

 

So here goes…….

 

My pet peeve with this course is that it does not cover some of our most favourite Christmas carols like Once in Royal David’s City for instance. 

 

But then again, I’m sure you will agree with me when I say that popular carols such as those are not very difficult to learn and sing, and even if they were challenging to the musically challenged parent, the foundation that Gena has laid in this course will no doubt help your entire family to master all the festive favourites that have not been included. 

So What Is My Final Verdict?

Get the course, while you can and get it at the sale price of $25. 

 

But wait, there is more…….

 

As you may have already guessed, when you purchase the course through the link I have provided on this page, I will receive an affiliate commission from Gena, and as a thank you to you for purchasing the course through MY link I want to give you access to my premium 4 unit mini course The Nutcracker Ballet, with which you can introduce your kids (aged 4 – 14) to this amazing festive ballet by Tchaikovsky. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Grab Gena’s amazing Christmas Carols Made Easy at the discounted price of just $25 and when you purchase it by clicking my link, you can also get my 4 unit mini Nutcracker Ballet course

 

Here’s How You Get My Bonus Course

Once you’ve used the link on this page, to purchase Gena’s course, please email me at karen@teachyourchildpiano.com and , I will send you the access details to the Nutcracker Mini Course, once I verify the purchase with Gena. 

 

Want to see what the 4 Unit Nutcracker Ballet mini course entails? Take a look here. 

 

Don’t forget, it can be yours at no additiona cost to you. All you have to do is purchase the Christmas Carols Made Easy course with my link. 

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

This program reminded me (and allowed me to teach my son) how to read music. To me, that was the most important thing that we learned together. Of course, it was very rewarding for me to watch my son play the piano with both hands at the same time, while reading sheet music. His favorite parts of the course were actually playing the songs and doing the worksheets provided.

Carrie M.

Stay At Home Mom

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4 ‘Super Easy’ Ways To Teach Rhythm And Beat In The Homeschool

4 ‘Super Easy’ Ways To Teach Rhythm And Beat In The Homeschool

by | Oct 19, 2021

4 ‘Super Easy’ Ways To Teach Rhythm And Beat In The Homeschool

This post contains affiliate links.

If you click a link and purchase something, I may earn a small fee from the said company/manufacturer/seller or individual, from who you make the purchase.

Did you know that rhythm and beat make up a huge proportion of playing a musical instrument?

I mean anyone can play notes, but if they don’t keep to a specific beat and if the notes don’t have rhythm, do you think that we would like listening to it?

Did you also know that rhythm and beat can be taught by moms who have absolutely no knowledge or training in music?

Well, yes they can and in this post I’m going to tell you exactly how you can do that in 4 different ways. 

So let’s get started, shall we?

 

Clapping

Yes, it is as simple as that. Clapping in sync to a tune will automatically help your child to identify the pulse in the beat and then keep to it. 

Start with very easy tunes and then work yourself up to harder tunes. Think you can do that with your child? 

Have older kids who think that this is very childish? Then read my post 5 Important Reasons Why Your Child Needs To Learn To Clap. 

So what is the next easy method?

 

Tapping Feet

This is just like clapping for the hands but with your feet, isn’t it? Except you don’t tap the feet to one another, now wouldn’t that be funny?

If your kids are older and able to tap their feet to complicated rhythms then you should have them try a combination of tapping their feet and clapping their hands as well. 

 

Use A Metronome

Do you know what a metronome is? It is a device that helps keep time. 

Don’t have one and don’t know where to get one? No worries, here’s one I recommend. You can either buy it or try to get something similar second hand or for free. 

So how do you use it to teach rhythm and beat?

Set the metronome to a beat and ask your child to either clap her hands, tap her feet or follow the beat with chopsticks or some other objects.

Simple isn’t it?

As she becomes more proficient, you can increase the pace or decrease it and make it more complicated by asking her to tap her feet and clap her hands at the same time. 

Now to the most natural and interesting one of all. 

 

The Environment

Do you know that our environment is overflowing with different rhythms?

Can you think of any?

Think of a clock, windshield wipers, motors, washing machines, frogs croaking, crickets chirping, hearts beating. 

With really young kids, introduce them to some natural beats and then ask them to identify new ones. You will be amazed at the different rhythms they will recognize in our natural environment as well as at home. 

Once they are able to recognize these rhythms you can ask them to imitate each by clapping, tapping their feet or with chopsticks. 

With older kids you can simply skip the identification part and move to imitating the rhythms and beats. 

For bonus points you can create your own beat and ask your child to repeat it. 

 

Now over to you. 

What do you think of the ideas suggested above?

Can you think of any other ways to teach rhythm and beat in the homeschool?

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

This program reminded me (and allowed me to teach my son) how to read music. To me, that was the most important thing that we learned together. Of course, it was very rewarding for me to watch my son play the piano with both hands at the same time, while reading sheet music. His favorite parts of the course were actually playing the songs and doing the worksheets provided.

Carrie M.

Stay At Home Mom

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6 ‘Unheard Of’ Ways To Blend Geography And Music Studies

6 ‘Unheard Of’ Ways To Blend Geography And Music Studies

by | Oct 14, 2021

6 ‘Unheard Of’ Ways To Blend Geography And Music Studies

See below for a Free Printable Pack to go with the post.

Did you know that you can combine geography and music studies in the homeschool with little or no hassle?

Surprised?

Don’t be. 

In this post I am going to explain to you how you can blend in the study of music appreciation along with any aspect of geography your kids maybe learning in the homeschool. 

I’m sure you are now thinking of ages and if you can blend music and geography studies with kids of any age? 

Yes, you can and I am going to explain just how you can do it irrespective of the country, your child maybe learning about and irrespective of her age. 

 

Composer Studies

This is one of the easiest things to do with kids of any age, whether they are teens or pre-schoolers. 

If your children are learning about Germany for instance, ask them to research the most popular composers from a given country. 

In the case of pre-schoolers you can do the research, find some printables and have them learn about one such composer, his year of birth, his most popular composition and a few other facts. 

 

Music

Research and listen to music from the given country or region that is being studied. 

If India is the country you are learning about in the homeschool this month, why not look for different genres of Indian music and compare and contrast them. 

With younger kids you can just discuss how the music feels and which song, is their favourite and why?

 

Musical Instruments

If your kids are learning about Africa for instance, have them create a project around instruments from Africa. 

On the other hand if you are learning about China or Japan, can you imagine the potential for younger and older kids alike? 

 

Create Playlists

Research and create an entire playlist of Russian folk music for instance, (if your kids are learning about Russia or one of its regions). 

With older kids you can have them research and create the playlist themselves and play the music in the background during your homeschooling hours. 

This would really benefit your younger children because even though they may not be learning about the last Czar of Russia or the Russian revolution, they will still be able to hear and identify the distinct nuances of Russian folk music. 

 

Watch Dance Performances

How about taking the above activity further and watching tradition dance performances from the country that they are learning about? 

Younger kids and older kids alike will enjoy this activity immensely. 

What do you think? 

 

Watch Musical Documentaries

This one is specifically for older kids, but if you can find interesting documentaries about music from a specific country or region that will hold the attention of your primary schoolers then go for it. 

 

So what do you think? 

Are these activities doable?

Implement these ideas and let me know which one your kids enjoyed the most. 

Don’t forget to download the printable I have made available with age appropriate activities for kids ranging from 4 to 17 years of age. 

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

This program reminded me (and allowed me to teach my son) how to read music. To me, that was the most important thing that we learned together. Of course, it was very rewarding for me to watch my son play the piano with both hands at the same time, while reading sheet music. His favorite parts of the course were actually playing the songs and doing the worksheets provided.

Carrie M.

Stay At Home Mom

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4 ‘Brilliant’ Music Theme Activities For Tweens

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by | Sep 30, 2021

4 ‘Brilliant’ Music Theme Activities For Tweens

See below for a Free Printable Pack to go with the post.

Have you always shied away from teaching your kids music in the homeschool? 

Why is that? 

Do you feel that your knowledge is inadequate or do you feel overwhelmed by the quantity of information that is out there?

Either way, I’m here to tell you that you can teach your kids music in the homeschool and you can even teach your older kids, not just the younger ones. 

Read this post, to learn how you can use different themes in music to get your kids into music appreciation. 

While I have grouped the themes, into four categories in this post, if you want a more comprehensive set of activities with a different theme per month, then please read my post 12 Innovative Musical Themes To use In Your Homeschool.

Anyway, as always I have included worksheets exclusively for this post, so please don’t forget to download them, before you move on. 

Shall we get started? 

 

Composer Studies

Yes, composer studies. 

No, your tweens are not too old for composer studies and they are not going to be bored. 

You can have them reading composer biographies, comparing and contrasting the life and works of different composers, learning about contemporaries of well known composers and learning about their contribution to music, their styles and what influenced and inspired their compositions. 

Want more ideas?

Read my post, 5 ‘Ridiculously Fun’ Ways To Get Tweens Into Composer Studies. 

 

Instrument Studies

And again, they are not too old for instrument studies. 

On the contrary they are at the right age to gain the most value from learning about instruments. 

Here are some activities you can do with them. 

Research about a specific instrument in depth and create a presentation, put together a playlist of songs performed on a single instrument like a clarinet for instance, compare and contrast it with a playlist of a different instrument like a marimba etc. 

Read my post, 4 ‘Crazy Easy’ Instrument Study Activities For Tweens, for more ideas. 

 

Eras in Music

Music through the ages, have been influenced by political and social issues that were prevalent through that specific era, and tweens are at an age, where they are mature enough to understand the impact that those events had on civilization. 

So why not blend in history and music and have them learn about instruments, and composers of a specific era, like the Baroque era and have them compare it with the Classical era for instance? 

Want more ideas?

Read my post, 6 Extraordinarily Engaging Ways To Teach Tweens The History Of Music.

 

Music Genre Studies

You tweens have no doubt been already exposed to a variety of genres in music already, such as pop, rock, worship, blues, jazz, rap and much more. 

Have them pick two genres for in-depth study, such as jazz and pop for instance, then ask them to learn about the history and the evolution and influential musicians in each genres.

For more ideas read my post, 5 ’Stunningly Easy’ Ways To Introduce Different Genres Of Music To Tweens.

 

Now that you’ve read through the post, don’t forget to download the worksheets I have made available. 

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

Download the FREE Music Themes Worksheets

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3 ‘Smashingly Fun’ Ways To Teach Primary Schooler Music Appreciation With Peter & The Wolf

3 ‘Smashingly Fun’ Ways To Teach Primary Schooler Music Appreciation With Peter & The Wolf

by | Sep 23, 2021

3 ‘Smashingly Fun’ Ways To Teach Primary Schooler Music Appreciation With Peter & The Wolf

See below for a Free Printable Pack to go with the post.

Name me one homeschool mom that has not introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf. 

I bet you can’t, because every homeschool mom I have come across has in one way or another always introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf. 

So why am I even writing this post, then?

The reason is because even though they have introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf, they have never really taken it further than simply listening to the composition. 

Are you one of those moms?

Don’t worry, you are not alone. 

I am still to come across a homeschool mom, who has been able to engage their kids further with this composition than simply listening, recognizing and identifying the different movements. 

So in this post, I am going to focus specifically on primary school aged kids and how you can engage your primary schoolers and get them to appreciate music through Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. 

I have also made a printable available with age appropriate activities to further your child’s learning, so don’t forget to download it, once you are done reading through this post. 

 

Composer Study

I’m assuming that your kids have already heard the different movements in Peter and the Wolf and know the entire storyline. 

If they don’t, then that is where you should start first, before implementing this idea. 

With this activity you can introduce them to Sergei Prokofiev. Help them complete a short presentation or create poster board detailing his life, compositions and contribution to music. 

The printables that are available with this post, will help you get started. 

 

Music Era

Prokofiev was a composer that lived in the early modern era of music or the early 20th century when a lot of really exciting developments were taking place in music. 

Ask your kids to research the modern era in music in terms of the instruments that were popularly used, the new genres of music that originated in the era and the big influencers or composers of the era. 

Thereby, they will learn many fascinating facts about the modern era in music and even want to learn more in depth about a specific genre of music or instrument. 

 

Instrument Store

Many different instruments are used in the movements in Peter and the Wolf. 

Why not take your kids out on a field trip to an instrument store to familiarize them with the instruments? 

They will be able to touch, feel, see and hear these instruments in person and you may come out with a youngster who wants to learn a specific instrument. 

 

Bonus

There is nothing better than taking in a live performance. 

So if you can find one in your area, then do your best to take your kids to watch a rendition of Peter and the Wolf. 

When you see how much they enjoy it, you will be glad you did. 

 

Now that you are done reading, don’t forget to download the printable. 

What other ideas can you dream up to engage your kids with Peter and the Wolf?

Karen Cadera

Karen Cadera

Founder/Creator

Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.

My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.

Lisa Tanner

Homeschool Mom

Play Piano Today!

Teach your child to play piano, today.

Yes, in as little as 30 minutes I can show you how to teach your child to play the piano, for FREE.

What are you waiting for?

Click Here

Download the FREE Peter & The Wolf Worksheets

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