This book is a great story to teach kids about feeling confident in themselves. It is also a wonderful story to introduce kids to different types of dances: waltz, tango, ramba, cha cha, scottish jig, etc. I'm a music teacher and I teach this to my 3rd graders. We discuss what each dance looks like, then the kind of music that might acccompany the dance. The class breaks up into groups and we read it again - but this time, after I say "The monkeys danced the cha cha...", the monkey group plays their instruments and dances the cha cha (and the same with the elephants, worthogs, etc) It can be done w/ several kids, or even just your own child. It is a really enjoyable book!
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(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
This is a great book to read rhythmically and help students feel the steady beat and the syncopated rhythm in jazz. When reading it to children, speak it rhythmically and have the children echo speak it back. Eventually, you can speak it together. If you'd like to go a step further, you can pair it with a recording of "A Night in Tunisia". I'm a music teacher and my kids love it! When reading it with the music, wait until you hear the saxophone come in and read the first two pages 2 times in a row (Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone. Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone.) Then read the rest of the book in order. It's great paired with rhythm sticks as well!
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(9 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
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lisaaannburns has commented on (2) products.
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
lisaaannburns, February 5, 2007
This book is a great story to teach kids about feeling confident in themselves. It is also a wonderful story to introduce kids to different types of dances: waltz, tango, ramba, cha cha, scottish jig, etc. I'm a music teacher and I teach this to my 3rd graders. We discuss what each dance looks like, then the kind of music that might acccompany the dance. The class breaks up into groups and we read it again - but this time, after I say "The monkeys danced the cha cha...", the monkey group plays their instruments and dances the cha cha (and the same with the elephants, worthogs, etc) It can be done w/ several kids, or even just your own child. It is a really enjoyable book!(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka
lisaaannburns, February 5, 2007
This is a great book to read rhythmically and help students feel the steady beat and the syncopated rhythm in jazz. When reading it to children, speak it rhythmically and have the children echo speak it back. Eventually, you can speak it together. If you'd like to go a step further, you can pair it with a recording of "A Night in Tunisia". I'm a music teacher and my kids love it! When reading it with the music, wait until you hear the saxophone come in and read the first two pages 2 times in a row (Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone. Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone.) Then read the rest of the book in order. It's great paired with rhythm sticks as well!(9 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)