"Why? Why? Why?" Children ask.

In my eyes, my dad knows everything. As a child, I always ask him "Why?" about anything that crossed my mind; and I don't remember a time when he didn't treat my questions seriously.  He's the first teacher who showed me how to treat little kids with respect.  I think I read a research somewhere saying that on average children ask at least 70 questions per day. (Although I doubt it...the number

World Cup 2010 - Let's do the WAKA WAKA dance!

World Cup happens only once every four years! Last time when it happened, some of you were still in kindergarten; next time when it happens again, you'll be hitting your teenage years! There's also a theme song when such world-class event happens. This year, the song is called This time for Africa (or Esto es Africa, the Spanish version). The song features Shakira and a Soutch African band called

IAC2010 show recommendation - Zic Zazou (from France)

The annual Hong Kong International Art Carnival will be held between 9 Jul to 15 Aug this year.  Have you picked a show yet?  I'd like to make a recommendation to my students to see a French music group, called Zic Zazou.  It is a creative group who makes extraordinary music out of ordinary objects, like a ping-pong bat, a brick or a garden hose! I'm sure children would love the creative way they

Year 2 music: African Lullaby

My students have been doing a unit about Africa in their English class. The school arranged an African drumming session for them. I was there and it was lots of fun~~It's great to make music together. After the drumming, I thought it'd be nice to share some African music with them and I chose this lullaby from Africa.Children, do you hear any instrument? Is there African drumming?

Year 1 music - The Amazing HONDA CHOIR

Who says singing this the only thing choirs do?Check out the Honda choir, every single member of it is so good at voice making. They can make sounds ranging from the raindrop sound to the squeaking sound from a car while making a sharp turn.I play this in Year 1. Before showing the video, I let children only listen to the "piece" without the video and have them guess what's happening. Obviously,

A beautiful Jewish Lullaby - By the Wayside stands a tree

The Jews have gone through a lot of tough times in history; it is not hard to find traces of bitterness in Jewish music. Listen to this lullaby and refer to the translation below, you would be able to empathize some of the deep emotions that mothers and children carry.

By the Wayside stands a tree
By the wayside stands a tree, bent against the storm. All the birds have deserted it, leaving it

Disney Song 2: I've Got No Strings (Pinocchio)

Why does the gay little dicky bird sing?What put the "zing" in a butterfly's wing?What's the reason for the smile of a troubadour?Why does a breeze have a barrel of fun?Even the bee who's a son-of-a-gun, it's all because they're free,and stringless the same as me.I've got no strings to hold me down,To make me fret or make me frown.I had strings but now I'm free,there are no strings on me.Hi-Oh

Year 1 & 2 music: I see music! (2)

The music animation machine has come up with some new animation for classical songs.

These versions of animation really suit the mood of the songs! I hope you'll like these 2 videos as much as I do.

1) Chopin and connecting lines



2) Debussy and sliding circles



Please visit the blog post Year 1 & 2 music: I see music (1) for another version of music animation.

Year 1 music: Yummy instruments

One of the highlights in a world music unit is learning about exotic instruments. We grow up in a once-colonized city; most of us are quite familiar with Western music instruments. It's almost children's common sense to know what a violin or a piano is. Therefore, introducing Western music instrument in a lower primary music class may not be the most attrative topic to children. Why not show

Year 2 music: Disney Song 1 (Little April Shower from Bambi)

Drip, drip, drop,Little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all aroundDrip, drip, drop,Little April shower, what can compare with you beautiful sound.Drip, drip, drop,When the sky is cloudly, your pretty music can brighten the day.Drip, drip, drop,When the sun says, "Howdy", you say "Goodbye" right away.Drip, drip, drop,Little April Shower, beating a tune everywhere that you fall.Drip, drip,

Year 1 music: The vegetable orchestra

In my school, every child plays a musical instrument. They're involved in different music groups like bands and orchestra. Most of them knows what does an orchestra looks like; they are familiar with Western instruments.Therefore in class, I feel no urge to introduce Western music yet; that's why I tend to teach more world music and I love looking for funny music videos so that their perception

Year 2 music: Peter and the Wolf (Part.1)

Peter and the wolf is a brilliant composition. No matter how many times I've taught this, I'm still impressed by Prokofiev's creativity. This is still the best work I've come across that gives children a perfect start to learn about instruments, orchestra and program music.Not only is the music wonderful, the story is simple yet so carefully writting to trigger children's imagination - the

Year 2 music: Peter and the Wolf (Part.2)

I know Year 2's are dying to see Part 2 of the movie. Here is it:Part 2/2:This is the 3-D version for your comparison. If you're interested in this version to watch the whole thing, it's uploaded to Youtube in 4 parts.One more resource that I'd like to share is a link where you can find the synopsis of the original story by Prokofiev, his profile and the sound clip for each character's theme.http

Year 1 & 2 music: I see music! (1)

Young children needs alot of visual aids to help them learn; videos, pictures, patterns help them interpret.Children cannot stay focus in a classical concert especially when a long long piece is being performed - that is because they don't have enough information to interpret what's in the music.This make introducing classical music to young children extremely difficult:There are two rules I

Lullaby and "Motherese"

"Motherese" is the term used in child devlopment research which refers to the special inflection, tonality and language used when caregivers (usually, but not necessarily mothers) interact with babies. Usually, we call it "baby talk". It is an interesting topic because it seems like the characteristics of "motherese" are similar across many different cultures.Naturally, mothers talk and sing to

Year 2 World Music - Israel

In November 1990, Ethiopia and Israel reached an agreement that would allow Ethiopian Jews to move to Israel under the context of family reunification - Operation Solomon marked an end to a dark era in the history of Ethiopian Jews, when children have lived day to day separated from their parents, not knowing their fate.The book on the left is called On the Wings of Eagles, this book tells this

Year 2 music: Christmas songs!!

Christmas songs make up an important part of childhood.In Year 2, I selfishly picked two of my favorite Chritmas songs to share with my children. I love this old version of "Alvin and the Chipmunks", so do the children:Just to spice things up, I also play them the new REMIX version~The 2nd song I shared with them was "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." Year 2 is the perfect age to

Year 1 music: Teaching DO-RE-MI

"DO a deer a female deer...." = BORING! The song DO-RE-MI is such popular song that a lot of children have heard of it before primary school, which means it's not a good idea to introduce it in class. (And for some reason I'm NOT a Sound of Music fan at all.)I compare this song to DO-RE-MI (from Sound of Music), and see if they can use the right terms to describe the similarity and differences (

My favorite boy choir - LIBERA

Some children don't know how to sing well coz they don't know what "good singing" is. If Chidlren can listen quality solo/choral singing all the time, it's easier for them to grasp what "good singing" is. Don't know where the search for your choir should start? I recommend Libera!!!I am totall...y in love with this boy choir from England. They sing both pop and classical songs, their stage

Year 1 music: Bumblebee

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm bring home a baby bumblebee
OUCH! It stung me!!

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee
EEEWWWWW~It's YUCKY!!

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee
Now my mommy won't be mad at me!
Before we learn