Music pattern

For awhile I was hunting up a variety of ideas to explore each new composer.  Then I got burned out from all the work.

I have currently settled into a routine.  It might be minimalist and somewhat boring for me to plan, but it gets the job done.

First week we make a youtube playlist - following some favorites of our own (if we know any) then adding any AO recommendations. And we read the Lives of the Musicians chapter (if there is one).

Second week we visit 'classics for kids' and check out at least one podcast on the composer of the week.  If I am feeling really into it I might print the corresponding activity page.

Third week we visit DSOkids for some info or games. This also has plenty of other activities to add to the fun.

Fourth week they write or dictate a short paragraph about the composer.  Name, place of work, and most interesting fact learned.

If there is a fifth week we might skip, or we might go with one of the many creative options (dance to a song, draw a picture to a song, library book, or whatever.)

Throughout all the weeks I play the playlist multiple times.  We talk about our favorite songs sometimes, or we look in the kids recorder and piano books for simple versions of songs.

If we are taking a break from historic composers and playing with modern music, we use wikipedia for information and test out the songs on the electric guitar as well as piano.