Ally (LI, NY)

Posted on 11/07/09

I bought Musicplay for K last summer and I think it has helped my
kindergarten music classes so much! Before, the only resource I had
was the Share the Music and I hated the lessons, the songs were over
the kids heads, etc. With my tiny K-5/chorus budget there was not a
lot that I could buy. Last year, I splurged and spent half my budget
on the MusicPlay and I am glad that I did. I don't use her full
lessons or sequencing. Instead, I made a map of of the book. I went
through and listed all the songs/games/chants that I liked and what
concept they were focused on (or how I could use them). Then I listed
all the songs/lessons from Share the Music and other sources I had and
what concepts they taught. I then put together lessons that mixed all
that up that fit my teaching style and the concepts I wanted to teach
when I wanted to teach it. It is not uncommon for me to do a song from
the beginning and end of the book on the same day. My kindergartners
loved the songs and games last year and are seeming to like them so
far this year. I even had 5th grade helpers who came in during their
lunch last year to help with my kinders and they loved the songs too
(they were obsessed with: Put the Beat in Your Feet and the Penguin
Polka.) I like that there are a lot of games, fingerplays, and
dances. I am not an orff teacher and this really fits my style.

I just bought the 1st grade book and I have mixed reviews about it.
However, some of the new songs/games I have added into my already
existing lessons are going over well. I just haven't found as many
that I like as compared to the kinder book.

On 11/06/09, Noelle wrote:
> I bought Musicplay for K hoping that it would give me a good strong
> sequence to follow. I don't like it. I've tried using it with two
> different kindergartens two different years, and the kids do not
> get into the songs. The songs are not recorded well and are
> difficult to understand. I am praying that Jeff and Randy come out
> with kindergarten Game Plan soon. I have Game Plan for 1-5 and it
> makes planning a snap and the kids are learning so much!! There
> really isn't an activity in Game Plan that hasn't worked or the kids
> haven't liked. I'm still searching for something that will work
> for me and my kinders.
>
> On 11/04/09, kitmusic/OK wrote:
>> Charlotte,
>>
>> I also use Gameplan -- but bought it for my upper grades only --
>> and now, i'm wishing that I had bought the 2nd grade book as well.
>> I think that will probably be my next purchase.
>>
>> I also have Gameplan for grades K-5 -- and overall, I love the
>> sequence. What I DON'T like about it are the recordings for the
>> upper grade levels - they sound more "babyish" than the recordings
>> from the text books -- so I have been using the sequence -- and
>> some of the ideas -- but not the recordings.
>>
>> For Kindergarten though -- I LOVE Musicplay for K. I like the
>> songs. I like how she weaves other curriculum ideas into the
>> variety of songs. And I like that each lesson for the week is
>> built around themes. I also like the sequence -- it's very
>> appropriate for Kindergarten.
>>
>> That said, I also supplement a lot with other resources. For
>> example, there is a great lesson with the story of the
>> "Gingerbread Man" in there -- but, I don't use that one --
>> instead, I use the skill that she is highlighting -- and use songs
>> and activities from a different resource.
>>
>> My other supplemental resource for Kindergartn are the the "Music
>> Effect" books by Joy Nelson. The sequence is slightly different
>> -- but Joy uses many different activities and poems to highlight
>> one skill. So, if you're working on steady beat (and please, who
>> isnt?) - she has provided songs, activities, stories, and visuals
>> to help with that concept. Through her visuals -- my K's were
>> reading rhythm patterns and designing their own last year. Very
>> exciting! :)
>>
>> Anyway, those are the two main resources I use -- then, I also
>> supplement with the Silver Burdett texts -- just because I love
>> their recordings. I find the songs I want to use related to the
>> skill. So far, this is working for me. I HATE planning for K's -
>> I have to really think about keeping them busy and engaged -- but
>> with Musicplay and The Music Effect -- my K's have learned a lot
>> this year.
>>
>> I hope that helps!
>>
>> kitmusic/OK

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