Charlotte Mason Music/Composer Study

October 2nd, 2007

This week I wanted to host the carnival around music/composer study. For the last 8 years I have taught music and movement to Moms and young children( including my own) in a variety of venues,  preschools, library sessions, private studio work and birthday parties.  I feel like I wanted a fresh perspective on music instruction for children especially as they grow past the early childhood stage and hosting the carnival around this theme has been inspiring. 

In all my years of teaching, there have been a few valuable resources I have used that I thought may be helpful for those of you with young children.  Firstly, I used the international Musikgarten curriculum for all of my studio teaching.  It is a wonderful program that is inspired by the seasons and introduces children from birth through age 6 to beginning rhythms and tonal patterns, composers, chants, poems and early instrumentation.  I was bouncing  our kids on my knee (literally ) to Vivaldi and other famous composers at birth so they all have a strong sense of rhythm and pitch.  If you have the time and additional resources,  look for a local group class in your area. It may be a fun home school activity to add to your week.

I also used The Remarkable Farkle McBride and Zin Zin Zin a Violin to introduced the orchestra and their many instruments.  We still read and look through them often. We have a large and eclectic musical tastes as a family and my husband keeps my ipod well stocked with music from around the world.  Between car time and house time, the children get a little taste of it all.  I usually ask them a general question at different times like ” What do we want right now for music? Worship, Celtic, French, Portuguese, Latin or Classical”  It is interesting to hear them develop their musical tastes.  Usually during quiet play we have a classical selection playing in the background.  I find it really helps them focus and play quietly.

There are so many valuable resources available to us online.  The following Moms have put together a great collection of tips and ideas for music/composer study for you to implement in your own homeschool.  Take some time and see what might inspire you and leave a comment for these inspiring Mamas.

Dewey’s Tree House shares her homescool’s Music Appreciation for the Fall 2007: Glenn Gould

Heart of Harmony has some ideas on Russian National Composers.

The Educational Life gives helpful hints for music study for AO year1.

Yielded Heart offers tips for music study from home.

Higher Up and Further In offers thoughts on composer study.

Liberty and Lilly  shares on hymns and their importance in her life.

The Dusty Frame  shares about their term’s composer, Rimsky-Korsakov.

Eclectic Education provides great links on Mozart.

Thanks to all who participated in this weeks carnival.  Your entries will be helpful to homeschoolers around the world.

Entry Filed under: CM Blog Carnival, blogging