How To Start Music Memory
1. Order materials.2. Make two bulletin boards. The great thing about this is they can stay up ALL YEAR!!!!
b.) Copy the Composer pictures from the Resource Binder. Group these by Historical periods. Put headings of the time periods and a different color background for each one. Be sure the name of the composer and his dates are up. If it works in your room it might be fun to run a string or yarn from the composer's picture to his composition on the days you study that particular selection. If you don't have the Resource Binder check out the "How the Composers Died" part of this site. There are pictures of composer there you can download. (Right click on the picture, click on "save image as", save it on your computer where you can find it. Enlarge and print. The resolution won't be great but it's something.)
3. Handouts for students. It is important to have the parents involved!
On the first Music Memory Day, which for me is every-other class period, I hand out two sheets of paper.
a.) To go home: I use the letter from the bulletin on page 12. On the back I put the order form from the back of the bulletin. I usually type up a Music Memory List in small print and tape it to the bottom of the order form. This lets the parents see what we are going to study. I encourage students to buy their own CD and booklet but make it very clear it is NOT required. Check with your principal. NOTE: There is no address or website on this order form. I write it in before duplicating. If you plan to send in an order for the kids, again check with your principal on how to handle the money and check with patty@aeideas.com or sue@aeideas.com on shipping charges.
b.) For Student Notebooks: Yes, my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders keep folders. If you watch for sales you can get folders at OfficMax for $0.10 each. I give students a page with the composer pictures on one side and the list on the other. Find the composer picture in the Teacher Resource Binder on page 33 (best pictures) or in the Bulletin on page 8. The list is on page 10 of the Bulletin.
4. Get Technology Ready.
There are now three ways to present the listening maps for Music Memory. You may want to use more than one of these methods.
a.) Overhead projector and separate sound source. I mark the floor where I want my projector to go for best size on the screen. Get a good, fun pointer. You can get "the finger" pointer at the teacher store or use the MacDonald's coffee stir stick with the big M on it. You will also find a lazer pointer to be helpful. I have a BIG finger pointer for kids to use to point out things on the screen. Find your remote for your CD player and get new batteries. I always put my Music Memory CD on my i-tunes and play them from there...
b.) Magic Maps on Computer. For this you need an LCD projector. Every school in Texas got these with both the Science and Social Studies textbook adoption. Check with your librarian to see if you can "keep it for her" in your room. You will also need the correct cables from your computer to your projectore and from your computer to your speakers.
c.) Magic Maps on DVD to your TV set or LCD projector. If you can get an LCD projector to put these on the big screen that would be best. The resolution on a TV set is just not as good as from a computer, so don't be disappointed if you can't see all the detail. It's still worth the effort.
5. Study That First Lesson!
Be very, very well prepared for that first lesson. It will take the whole class period but most lesson won't. There's just a lot to do the first class. Add all you can, all you know to this first lesson. Be very enthusiastic! Below are some added features you might try for William Tell. What a cool piece to start with!
Story of the Opera William Tell, in child friendly language. This is a word file to download.
This is notation in a Word file to make into a transparency for the class to play.
Have FUN !