to the moms and dads of the board
Posted by hiimkelsi on Jul 01, 2007 · Member since Sep 2004 · 2297 posts
what are some musicians/bands that kids really enjoy? im going to be teaching little kids (k-2) in the fall and have mostly uberly sexual electro, angsty thrash/hardcore and indie rock that doesnt really apeal to the younger type in my music collection. i do have a couple 'they might be giants' albums, but id like to find some other neat musicians/bands to use for my lessons.
;D Do you know how impressed parents would be with you if they asked their second grader why the sun shines (to get 'em thinking) and the kid replies, "Well, mom and pop, it's because the sun is a mass of incandescent gas, a gigantic nuclear furnace - where hydrogen is built into helium at a temperature of millions of degrees."
haha that would be impressive!! especially since i dont know anything about the sun other than its hot and gaseous, 'tis why i am teaching music. i hope the parents will be just as impressed with their childrens creative talents as they are with the basic subjects they learn in their other classes.
Oh, music. Kids are into older music so early now. It's too bad most parenting chat sites would probably give you church hymns suggestions or something. I think with that age group, it just has to be something simple for the basics and something they can sound good playing with limited practice to build their confidence and interest. Unless these are the super-gifted type, and then I'll stick with They Might Be Giants.
I think that kids pick up the music of their parents at that age. To my utter disgust my niece and nephew like country music :( since that is what my sister and brother-in-law listen to. I'd say expose the kids to different types of music. Things that are upbeat and have a catchy chorus seem to be a favorite of the kids I'm around (especially disney movie tunes). When my niece and nephew are around me they get everything but country (metal, 80' & 90's, etc.).
high school musical soundtrack
avril l---something (the canadian girl that sings teen-angst rock stuff---2/3 graders love her!)
hillary duff (well, a few years ago of her stuff)
but
and, those horrible "kidz bop" cd's
Oh, music. Kids are into older music so early now. It's too bad most parenting chat sites would probably give you church hymns suggestions or something. I think with that age group, it just has to be something simple for the basics and something they can sound good playing with limited practice to build their confidence and interest. Unless these are the super-gifted type, and then I'll stick with They Might Be Giants.
the school that im teaching at is an incredibly conservative christian "family oriented" town... so i dont think the church hymn suggestions would be far off! ha. but thank goodness for separation of church and state, i just dont even want to get into that mess.
i have lots of songs that have basic musicial aspects, but im trying to find ones that have more child friendly subjects, like songs about trees or playgrounds or drawing pictures. something that they can relate to, just incase they happen to listen to the lyrics.
I am a pre-school teacher and a mom of a 2nd grader and I love the website, www.musicforlittlepeople.com. It has a great selection for all age groups. World music, classical music etc. I love the soundtrack to Curious George movie, it is mostly Jack Johnson(and some Ben Harper who I love!). I have gotten all my music for my classroom there. Hope that helps. Music classes are so important, your students will look forward to seeing you, it is my daughters favorite class!!! :)
I am a pre-school teacher and a mom of a 2nd grader and I love the website, www.musicforlittlepeople.com. It has a great selection for all age groups. World music, classical music etc. I love the soundtrack to Curious George movie, it is mostly Jack Johnson(and some Ben Harper who I love!). I have gotten all my music for my classroom there. Hope that helps. Music classes are so important, your students will look forward to seeing you, it is my daughters favorite class!!! :)
YES! perfect. thank you so much!
I'm not a parent, but I teach music to k-5 kids. I have found that k-2 kids love any type of game song, such as "Lucy Locket" and "Miss Mary Mack." I don't go into popular music too much because I don't want to accidently play something that a parent disapproves of (I'm in a VERY conservative area). Also, if you can get CDs of traditional African music--these are great for free movement. Good luck to you! I absolutely love teaching my kids. I hope you get the same enjoyment from your job! :)
I'm not a parent, but I teach music to k-5 kids. I have found that k-2 kids love any type of game song, such as "Lucy Locket" and "Miss Mary Mack." I don't go into popular music too much because I don't want to accidently play something that a parent disapproves of (I'm in a VERY conservative area). Also, if you can get CDs of traditional African music--these are great for free movement. Good luck to you! I absolutely love teaching my kids. I hope you get the same enjoyment from your job! :)
i only have a few game songs from school, im hoping that the last teacher left lots of song books.
i was actually looking into finding appropriate popular music, but i might follow your strategy, i certainly dont want to be disapproved of by the parents my first year. eek!
AND i found a really useful world music book giving short descriptions of popular musicians from all of the continents. ive always thought that african music can really liven up any classroom, but i just had no idea where to find good musicians and recordings. hopefully this book will help.
thanks for your suggestions!
I think that kids pick up the music of their parents at that age. To my utter disgust my niece and nephew like country music :( since that is what my sister and brother-in-law listen to. I'd say expose the kids to different types of music. Things that are upbeat and have a catchy chorus seem to be a favorite of the kids I'm around (especially disney movie tunes). When my niece and nephew are around me they get everything but country (metal, 80' & 90's, etc.).
You should give some country a try. This is my favorite country song:
Artist/Band: Adkins Trace
Lyrics for Song: (This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing
Lyrics for Album: Greatest Hits Collection 1
(Tim Nichols/Mark D. Sanders)
I been thinkin' 'bout our love situation
All this attraction in the present tense
I've reached the only logical conclusion
Love ain't supposed to make sense
This ain't no thinkin` thing, right brain, left brain
It goes a little deeper than that
It's a chemical, physical, emotional devotion
Passion that we can't hold back
There's nothin` that we need to analyze
There ain't no rhyme or reason why
'Cause this ain't, this ain't no thinkin` thing
Forget mathematical equations
Self help psychology
Gray matter don't matter much darlin`
When it's gettin` down to you and me
This ain't no thinkin` thing, right brain, left brain
It goes a little deeper than that
It's a chemical, physical, emotional devotion
Passion that we can't hold back
There's nothin` that we need to analyze
There ain't no rhyme or reason why
'Cause this ain't, this ain't no thinkin` thing
There's nothing that we need to analyze
There ain't no rhyme or reason why
'Cause this ain't, this ain't no thinkin` thing
This ain't, no this ain't no thinkin` thing
www.musick8.com is a great resource. They have a monthly publication that you can order with lots of great songs, games, cross-curricular songs (very popular), bulletin board ideas, etc. I've found it to be a valuable resource. It's always great to meet a fellow elem music teacher! :) Keep us updated on how your first year goes!
I would highly recommend Laurie Berkner. She's awesome. Kinda folky unique kids songs.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Shady-Tree-Laurie-Berkner/dp/B00006JKGN/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/104-7231574-8726313?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1183331170&sr=1-3
My kids like her...and well so do I!
How about songs from movies/musicals? Like Disney movies or the Sound of Music (doe, a deer, a female deer.....)?
I use "Do A Deer" for my solfege lesson with second graders! It's a big hit! :)