Making Music with Pool Noodles

I'm the music teacher you will find browsing the dollar store for ordinary objects that we can use in music class.  I get excited looking at each Oriental Trading magazine the shows up in the mail.  It just gets my creative juices going.  These props extend the concepts being taught and create unforgettable moments in class.  I always want the class to leaving singing a song and saying they had fun!

I follow a lot of blogs and I heard that some music teachers were using pool noodles.

I thought, "How much fun is that?!"

Most of my students are 6 and under right now but I thought this could work for them too!

It most certainly did!

Toddlers, Preschoolers and young Grade School students LOVE stop and go games.  When I brought out the pool noodles we tapped them on the floor.  They would follow me tapping at the speeds I did.  Then I'd randomly make them freeze.  Then we also rolled them on the floor with our hands like we were making cookies.  These activities are so good for developing a steady beat, coordination, listening skills and fine and gross motor skills.  The kids just have a blast!

Then we pretended they were flowers to balance gently on our hands.  In future classes, I would challenge them to hold them in different ways.  I love being the DJ and setting the mood with various songs.  Just think about what you want to focus on and use the pool noodles as an enhancement.

With older kids you can allow each child to start your beat and call out freeze.  You can also have them echo patterns.  You can have them read patterns that you write on the board or posters.  Team up older children with a partner to tap the rhythms.  If you have enough, use 2 for each child like large rhythm sticks.  Listen to their ideas too! 

I cut mine in half which saved on the cost and made them a bit more manageable for little hands.

Don't forget to set your ground rules and expectations.  Follow through with what you say!

"No fun if we don't follow directions!"

Go ahead and go to the pool in music class with your new, inexpensive props! 

To learn more about our studio visit www.first-roots.com

To view our interactive music videos Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

A Rockin' Concert by Jason Didner!

Jason Didner is the lead singer of his kindie group, Jason Didner and The Jungle Gym Jam.  He brings his rock and roll style to children's music by creating upbeat and fun songs that also teach lessons.  On Saturday, March 14th at 4:30pm he ROCKED THE HOUSE at First Roots Music Studio in Manville, NJ!  

Jason performed along side his amazing wife Amy, who also co-wrote many of their songs, and his adorable daughter Holly.  Amy and Holly played along by creating a drum beat on cajon drums.  His concerts show how music connects families and communities.

I heard about Jason's performance last summer at Hillsborough Library and when I opened my new studio location, I wanted to bring in a live artist to perform for the families.  One of the first people I contacted was Jason and he was THRILLED to be part of the opening events for my studio!  After seeing his performance and watching the excitement in my own children and guests, I started to think about incorporating his music into my classes.  Featuring his music seemed to be the best way.

Jason's solo concert was the highlight to our Winter Semester at First Roots Music Studio.  We enjoyed rocking, clapping, shaking and dancing to his exciting music.  We even made a train around the studio to his Window Of The Train Song!

In my classes children experience a variety of styles of music in addition to live music.  I accompany on the guitar but we also sing acappella and add in recorded music as well.  This helps give children their musical start.  We focus on a joyful musical experience through lots of fun activities that introduce musical concepts.  What better way to have fun family time while adding in a great learning experience!?

To learn more about Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam, 

please visit his website at www.junglegymjam.com

You can get on his mailing list and join him for local shows!

We look forward to working with more local kindie artists in the area to promote their music and enjoy a live concert at the end of the semester.  Creating a community of children's musicians through classes and live events is the best way we can share the joy of music with our own families!

This Spring, we will welcome the music of Baze and His Silly Friends and enjoy a June concert!

Thanks for coming to First Roots Studio, Jason!

First Roots supports Music and our Schools Month!

Everyday I teach music, I feel like I am changing the world for one person.

Way before I owned my own studio where I focus on giving babies, toddlers and preschoolers a start in music, I was a classroom music teacher.  I taught high school and middle school first but found my niche to be elementary music.

For me, being a music teacher changed my life.  The best feeling in the world was doing what I love and seeing students learn to love it as much as I did.  The more I poured my heart and soul into each class, the more the children benefited.  I loved creating meaningful lessons that tied into math, language arts, speech, science and history.  The amazing thing about music is, so many "core subjects" are already woven into it.  Writing and reading music incorporate basic math concepts, singing helps children develop speech and grow their understanding of vocabulary, and most pieces of music cover various times in history which all become teachable moments.

Most music teachers, especially elementary, wind up teaching most of their schools population.  You learn names quickly.  Many times you have to spend your day toting around your teaching supplies from room to room because you don't have your own space.  You learn how to create a music classroom anywhere.  You are creative - always finding new and exciting ways to create music.  You know the importance, value and quality of life music brings to children.   You know how to pull out the energy in a circle dance after you've done it with 5 other classes that day!  

You teach music because it's your passion.   

While I am not currently in an elementary school, I know how hard our music teachers work.  I know that music and the arts give our children an outlet to learn and be creative.  I support the music teachers in our communities because I was there once too.

As a studio owner focusing on early childhood music, it is my goal to share with the community the importance of starting music early.  Children who start music early are very often more successful academically.  Early music classes also prepare for classroom experience by learning how to transition from activities, share and be in a social experience.

How do I support my school district's music program?  I donate my time to share with the students whenever I can throughout the year.  I support the arts program by attending events. 

Music is around us in our everyday lives.

Give your children a musical start.  Make sure your schools continue to support it!  

     

A connection between Music & Literacy

I was honored to be asked to read at my local school's Read Across America program on behalf of my music studio, First Roots Music Studio.   I offer classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids that include a full-range of musical activities to develop the whole child.  I want to engage their entire body and mind into creating music.

I've be a music educator for over 10 years and I've focused on early childhood education for at least 7 of those years.  In my classes, I always bring in a wide variety of material, including literacy.

For young child, the benefits of singing and listening to music are so amazing.  By learning and hearing songs, they are being introduced to new vocabulary.  Music is a natural way for children to develop fluency while speaking or singing.  Rhythm is another thing children in music class are exposed to and it also helps them as they begin reading.  Singing, listening and interactive music activities also are wonderful way to develop emotion.  These are all components that can help children with reading.

I read the children a book called "Jenny Jenkins" which was written based on the song.  The story features a little girl who is asked what color she wants to wear.  Each time she is asked, she comes up with a silly rhyme about why she won't wear that color and says "but I will by a foldy-roldy-tildy-toldy-roll a Jenny Jenkins roll."  These silly repetitive words end each page which is nice for repetition.  By the end of the book, she does decide on the color.

After reading the story, a teacher held up the book for the children to tell me the colors.  Then I sang each verse with them.

We also had the opportunity to view the video I put together.

It was a great day reading and singing for Read Across America!

I am really blessed to be able to share music with so many families in my community.  Seeing the positive effects first hand is the best reward.  It helps me continue to look for creative ways to bring songs, stories and rhymes to life to give children the best musical start - which also helps them academically!

Ms Jenni shares the gift of music!

It's no secret.  I love to sing.  I love to make music.  I love to share that with everyone.

Two years ago we moved our family to a small town which was a very hard decision.  After having meetings at the school to prepare my children to be enrolled and ensure their IEP was followed, I found some of the most kind, dedicated and amazing staff members.  Each day when I picked my kids up they always took the time to tell me about their day and create a connection with my children.  These teachers would go out of their way to ensure their students were getting the best.

Once they learned that I am a music teacher, I started sharing my music with them and coming in for special events. 

Singing You Are My Sunshine!

One of the highlights was the wedding of Q&U.  What an interesting experience for children!  They not only learn some QU words that I even have trouble saying like Quadrilateral but they learned about weddings, speaking and having various parts.  I was honored last year to be asked to participate and be asked back to be part of the Quartet. 

Q&U Wedding Pictures:  Ms Jenni is 1/4 of the quartet.

I love being able to be a part of my own children's lives and the lives of their friends.  I enjoy sharing live music because of the joy it brings.  As I play and sing I see smiles, kids rockin' out and being in the moment of making music.  Over my years of focusing on early childhood music I have learned what engages them to actively participate.  Being able to create musical moments is the best!

I am so very thankful for the teachers allowing me to come in and make music! 

The one thing I can give you is the gift of music! 

Repetition, Repetition....What?!

We always hear how repetition is important for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids. You hear it about their schedule and their day. You even hear it in classes you attend and maybe start to think it's the teacher making excuses to repeat an activity!

When you experience something for the first time you don't know what to expect so your brain soaks up all the input it's receiving. It creates a memory of the event. The next time you experience something similar your brain builds on that memory. At the same time your body also learns how to respond in that situation.

One of the reasons why First Roots Music Studio offers classes for a set number of weeks is because regular attendance builds on the repetition of merely showing up to class.  When you say the words, "Let's get ready for music class!", it's almost meaningless the first time. WHAT IS MUSIC CLASS?  As you attend each week, you will start to see your child understand and connect. Depending on their age, they might even recall activities or tell you what they remember. This is all part of repetition!

Songs are another way we build repetition. It's funny how just as we get sick of hearing a song, a child starts singing and dancing along! Playing the music from class is a good way to help build on that repetition. In class we do repeat songs so the children can become familiar with them.

We encourage dialogue between you and your child. For babies, this might mean you monologue about their day. You can pause in your conversation and wait for their response. You might be surprised when they answer you! For toddlers and preschoolers, that are creating conversations, model asking and answering questions. "Would you like pancakes? Yes, I would like pancakes!" In class I give the children opportunities to be creative and use their voice. That joy they have when we use their idea is priceless!

Does your child grab the same book off the shelf over and over? Maybe they like the way the words flow? Maybe they like the characters? We all have that ONE book that we have read cover to cover 10 times in a row every day for a week, Each time the book is repeated, you might see them anticipating what will happen. Maybe they make the animal sounds or try to use the expressions you do? Reading is a great way to build repetition and routine. It can be a way to transition to nap or bed time.  We really enjoy the Reading Rainbow app for the iPad! There is such a huge selection of books that your child might start trying out some new stories. The library is also a great place to explore fre story times and get inspiration for age-appropriate stories.

At home you can build repetition in their day by creating a simple schedule. Walk your child through the steps of getting ready at whatever stage they are at. Assist as needed and encourage independence as they get older. Use songs and rhymes from class or ones you even make up to help create transitions or learning opportunities about their day.

Repetition. We hear it over and over again as our children grow.

What are your child's favorite repetitive activities?

Teaching Tip: Preschoolers Need To MOVE!!!!!

Preschoolers (and toddlers and K and 1st graders and most kids) they have this wonderful, innate ability to move and groove.  Go ahead, turn on some fun music and watch them boogie!

I firmly believe that my kids HAVE TO MOVE in class....OFTEN!

WHY?

1.  Movement helps stimulate that brain and this helps enrich language development.
2.  Movement helps children be creative and express themselves.
3.  Through movement, it helps children connect to an experience.

My kids enjoy seated movement activities such as finger plays, clapping, patting and tapping along and gross motor activities such as dancing.  It doesn't matter if I'm teaching a parent/child baby class or a preschool class, these activities are incorporated.

When children are moving, they are connecting to the words.  Such a simple song like the Itsy Bitsy Spider can turn into the GIANT SPIDER that moves slow with arms outstretched to the Teeny Weeny Spider that scurries super fast.  Now we've heard new vocabulary and moved those ways and that connects the concepts for children.

In class, we want to see how the children can explore.  We show them ways to move but we encourage them to find new ways.  Allowing them to explore lets them be creative which opens the door for them to be confident and expressive.

Music class is more then sitting in a circle and singing.  It's being silly, fun, creative and MOVING.

Get your classes up and moving....there is so much great stuff out there!  

Visit my youtube channel for some fun movement songs!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNgd-4MDp7mYvFPmc_gV9hw 

Jennifer Esposito is the owner of First Roots Music Studio in Manville, NJ

www.first-roots.com

908-552-9338