Beethovan

Since Beethoven is the composer of the term for AO we spent a bit of time on him.

I borrowed several books from the library for the kids or myself to read.  The favorite seems to be an 'edu-manga' version titled with simply his name "Ludwig Van Beethoven".

There is a note that the book is to be read backwards the way traditional Japanese manga would be.  It of course has plenty of silly over done cartoon expressions, though less than I expected.

I actually read this book myself (plenty of other Beethoven books I just let the kids tell me about).  The book down plays his crankiness and other problems while playing up only one of his romantic desires.   The main focus is on Beethoven's perseverance through his many trials and tribulations.  I was glad the book didn't bother to mention the cause of his deafness, as plenty of sources call up less than child friendly ideas.  

I also read to the children the Beethoven chapter of "Lives of the musicians",  I enjoyed the chapters we have read so much I think I will put the book and it's counterpart "Lives of the Artists"  On my Christmas wish list.

We have long had a Beethoven playlist including the Muppet Beaker doing 'Ode to Joy'.  

I love that song!  Dude decided to try to learn 'Fur Elise' long ago.  Since he is a barely beginning pianist he is rather lucky to get the first half dozen notes!

One of the things I learned when we first started to work on Ambleside Online composer studies was that the 'famous' songs I knew, were only a tiny part of the complete composition.  One of these days we will look into buying a CD or other electronic version of a complete symphony.  In general I find it hard to line up a complete symphony on youtube.  For now we are content to make sure the kids know their favorite youtube videos are only a part of the whole.

Classics for kids has several podcasts on Beethoven.  We listened to a few and may finish the rest.

I am sure Charlotte Mason enthusiasts would disagree, but I feel no discussion of Beethoven could be complete without mention of "Beethoven's wig"  these songs put words to the music to help you learn which composer did which and or the name of the song.  They are fun loving, silly easy to sing to, and very memorable.  Though I would recommend an occasional listening of the songs without the words as well. 

The children have not chosen their projects yet, but I am sure they will think of something fun eventually.