This is a sponsored post by TakeLessons.com. Please read my full disclosure policy.
After getting my undergrad degree in music, I had the privilege of teaching music at a Christian school for a few years. Storytelling through classical music was one of my students’ favorite activities {and mine, too}. As I was thinking about how important music is in our home, I remembered this activity and realized I had not done this with my own kids! I started brainstorming all the ways that storytelling through classical music ties into literacy. There were so many, that I lost count. So this past week, we tried it out for the first time. It will not be our last time, either.
Preparing to Tell Your Story
- paper {plain blank paper, or download this free Storytelling Recording Sheet}.
- crayons, markers, or colored pencils {your writing utensil of choice}
- classical music- I like to repeat this activity with a variety of music. While I have a ton of favorite pieces for this activity, just a handful are: Sabre Dance by Khachaturian, Light Calvary Overture by Von Suppe, Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin, Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, Claire De Lune by Debussy, and Thunder and Lightning by Johan Strauss.
How to Implement Storytelling Through Classical Music
- Model. Have you ever noticed that music can sometimes sound like it’s telling us a story? I explained that we were going to listen to some music and share the story it was telling us. I began with Sabre Dance by Khachaturian. We listened to it one time through together, just to enjoy the music. Afterward I said things like, “When I hear that piece, it makes me think of…this part of the music sounds like…but the slower part makes me think of…I can picture…” I shared my thoughts on the piece, telling my story. We listened to it again and as the music played, I narrated my story over the music. {I do love that because of my musical background, I can integrate a few musical terms, such as allegro, forte, or staccato to describe the music as I tell my story. If you don’t have a musical background, finding a music teacher for your child is easy at TakeLessons.com. See below.}
- Try with Support. We all listened to a different piece of music together. My oldest son {7.5} and preschooler {4.5} each shared their stories after listening one time through.
- Independent Listening and Drawing/Writing a Story. I played Thunder and Lightning by Johan Strauss {without sharing the title}. We listened one time through together. Then each person drew/wrote about their story. As we worked, I replayed the piece over and over.
MBug {at 3 years} said she saw fireworks and she drew her story. NJoy {at 4.5 years} said he heard horns blowing at a stoplight. He drew a picture of his story and wrote a sentence on the back of his paper with my support. ALuv {at 7.5 years} said it sounded like the wind from a hurricane blowing down trees. He drew a picture, wrote a sentence {he could have written more}, and wrote a title to his story. Then we each took turns sharing our “stories”. I also shared mine.
Now, I do realize that not all parents have an undergrad degree in music. And even though this activity is pretty easy to implement, there are other times when it would be very beneficial to have a trained music teacher {like a private piano teacher} helping your child along her journey. That’s what TakeLessons.com is all about.
What is TakeLessons.com?
- TakeLessons.com is a site to help you find a music instructor {guitar, piano, voice, etc.} or academic tutor for your child.
- They have over 7 years of experience and have worked with over 30,000 students!
- Every instructor is well qualified in their area of instruction.
- Find a time and place that works perfect for your family. You can even take lessons via Skype! And there are no long-term commitments, so times and places can be changed as needed.
- Instructors are available for many ages and experience levels.
- There is a 100% money back guarantee. If your first lesson does not go well, your money will be refunded and they can help you find a new teacher. Or your original purchase price can be refunded.
Want to Give TakeLessons.com a Try?
TakeLessons.com is offering a free ebook, Quick Guide to Getting Started with Music Lessons. They are also offering a discount code to This Reading Mama readers. You can receive 20% off music lesson or tutoring packages when your use promo code ‘READING’ at checkout! {You must use this code to get the 20% off. This discount code expires on July 6, 2013.}
If you have more questions, feel free to call 619-618-7487 to speak with a TakeLessons Student Counselor.
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~Becky
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