Submitted by Connie Herbon, Iowa
Idea posted July 25, 2005
Unlike many, I don't find Kinders cute. I find them to be little teachable people that need short, interest-catching activities to prepare them to be bigger teachable people. (Collective groan!) I can't say that Kinders are my favorite group, but I do usually enjoy them and almost always feel our classes are productive. (They fill my afternoons every other day all year long - three classes at 30 minutes each.)
Much has been shared on the MusicK8.com Mailing List in the way of Kinder activities, but I'll briefly outline what works for me:
- Early (first weeks) development of cooperative classroom through procedures, singing games, and high-interest songs
- Early evaluation and practice in classroom skills (i.e., following in a line/circle, following one-step directions, respecting classmates' space, etc.)
- Lots of rhythmic speech (throughout the year)
- Lots of pitch exploration activities
- Lots of singing in a range between E and B
- Lots of steady beat activities with body percussion, unpitched percussion, and Boomwhackers®
- Regular use of free movement and singing games
- Extensive use of picture books, stuffed animals, sign language, plus any and all manipulatives I can purchase/create
- Extensive use of "classroom connections" (usually determined by their language arts curriculum and/or seasonal themes)
I use Denise Gagne's Alphabet Action Songs, the Jazzles album, and whatever material I write for our needs.