Story: The story was fun to hear, as the kids all had comments about the felt sheep that were being used to help tell the story! Some were missing eyes and were a bit ragged around the edges, but when the sheep were distributed amongst everyone in class the point was pretty solidly made.
Music: We carefully reviewed speaking the rhythm cards before playing them, and then transferred them to instruments. The kids should be looking at the rhythm cards while playing their instruments - thus reading the music as they play. Even though they already know how the rhythm goes, seeing it while they play it correctly reinforces their knowledge of the components of notation. We also started learning pitch with Kodaly hand signs for Do, Re and Mi and talked about which notes sound higher or lower. We sang the song "Love is something if you give it away" and talked a bit about how you end up having more love if you give love away. The kids totally got it and said some insightful things.
Learning Kodaly hand signs (Do, Re, Mi)
Stirring cookie batterCraft: Actually today was baking, and we made oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips on top. The kids took turns stirring or adding ingredients, and then each of them had their own tray to put their cookies on. While waiting for the cookies to bake, we decorated boxes for the cookies, and the kids decided to whom they would give their cookies - giving the cookies away is our practicing generosity.
