This listening lesson is a creative and engaging way to get your students thinking about classic pieces of music. It is formatted to work well with at home learners and can also stand alone in a music classroom. Teaching time will between 20-40 minutes in length. Included: 28 pages - Keynote and PowerPoint versions 1 play along annotated rhythm chart (16th note patterns) 5 solo instrument slides with sound 5 finger trial/voice warm up slides (PreK-4th) Instructions 1 'One Pager' worksheets for individualized note-taking 1 free draw worksheet for younger students Formatted informational slides 1 slide with full performance Concepts covered: 16th note rhythm patterns Instruments - tuba, oboe, bassoon, flute, violin Nikola Rimsky-Korsakov Imagery Incidental Music Keynote File © Copyright 2020 Little House Lessons. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy pages specifically designed for student or teacher use by the original purchaser or licensee. This is intended to be used by one teacher unless additional licenses have been purchased. The reproduction of any other part of this product is strictly prohibited. Copying any part of this product and placing it on the Internet in any form (even a personal/classroom website) is strictly forbidden. Doing so makes it possible for an Internet search to make the document available on the Internet, free of charge, and is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Last month, my student teacher created a bumblebee themed unit that incorporated grade 2 curricular music outcomes. The unit included an Orff orchestration of a bees song as well as a listening activity to Flight of the Bumblebee! Part one (5-10 minutes): For the listening lesson, students each received a piece of water colour paper and a black crayon. They were told to draw the sound of the music thinking about fast/slow, high/low, forte/piano and to think about what kind of movement the music is trying to represent. After they were finished, we discussed the piece and their drawing. Students figured out that the piece was representing the movement of a bumblebee and we discussed how it moves. Part two (20-30 minutes): This part unfortunately had to happen after my wonderful student teacher Lauren had already finished her time with me. So I continued with the lesson! Next, we discussed the tempo of the piece and imagined being that bee. What colours would we see? If we were moving presto, would we see details of nature or would it be a blur of colours? With these questions in mind, student painted their drawings. When they were finished and dry, I cut the paintings in two. I gave one piece back to the students and the other piece was put to display together with the others. This is so accessible to students and does not take very long! We finished this in one and a half classes! What types of activities do you use to engage your students in listening to music?

Teaching Elementary Music

Last month, my student teacher created a bumblebee themed unit that incorporated grade 2 curricular music outcomes. The unit included an Orff orchestration of a bees song as well as a listening activity to Flight of the Bumblebee! Part one (5-10 minutes): For the listening lesson, students each received a piece of water colour paper and a black crayon. They were told to draw the sound of the music thinking about fast/slow, high/low, forte/piano and to think about what kind of movement the music is trying to represent. After they were finished, we discussed the piece and their drawing. Students figured out that the piece was representing the movement of a bumblebee and we discussed how it moves. Part two (20-30 minutes): This part unfortunately had to happen after my wonderful student teacher Lauren had already finished her time with me. So I continued with the lesson! Next, we discussed the tempo of the piece and imagined being that bee. What colours would we see? If we were moving presto, would we see details of nature or would it be a blur of colours? With these questions in mind, student painted their drawings. When they were finished and dry, I cut the paintings in two. I gave one piece back to the students and the other piece was put to display together with the others. This is so accessible to students and does not take very long! We finished this in one and a half classes! What types of activities do you use to engage your students in listening to music?

Here are two of my favorite listening activities for Spring (one for K-2 and one for 3-5): The first goes with "Flight of the Bumblebee" and I've used it with 1st grade (I think it would work K-2). They are also working on the song "Bee Bee" (you can find a powerpoint lesson for this song here): I like to use this video below (obviously for visual effect - kiddos love checking this out and they are very observant, such as "blue is the low pitch" "the large shapes are longer sounds" etc): First, I have the students listen quietly and try to decide what the song might be about (they can follow along to the video). After the first listening, I ask them to discuss what they think it is about with their partner. Then, we discuss as a class and I label it as "flight of the bumblebee" (I have a bee mask that I believe I found at Michael's and I put that on - hilarious). For the second listening, I ask them questions about the dynamic level and tempo. We discuss this also. On the third listening, I select three "flowers" (I have them hold stuffed flowers that I believe they currently have at Target or you can buy them from Oriental Trading). My 1st graders totally know all about bees and we pause here to talk about them and how flowers and bees relate to one another. The students watch as I "fly" around the room (flapping short wings) and then "pollinate" (fly to a flower and hover by them). So the rules for the kiddos are: * no sounds so we can listen to the music and teacher instructions * bees must "fly" when they hear the teacher say "fly" and "pollinate" as soon as they here "pollinate" * never pick the same flower twice (we only do this for about 60 sec of the song or so) so that no flower feels left out * bees can fly quickly but they cannot run - we don't want anyone getting hurt On repetitions: * choose new flowers who must say a fact about bees or discuss something they heard in the song * use new versions of the song as they play (we really like this one:) Listening and Movement Lesson: “Minute in A Major” by Boccherini BACKGROUND INFO (write on board for students to see - I include his picture also) Composer: Luigi Boccherini Dates: 1743-1805 Title: Minuet in A Major from String Quartet in E, Op 13 No 5 Fact 1: Boccherini played the cello. Fact 2: Boccherini wrote lots of string quartets. Fact 3: Boccherini was born in Italy but spent most of his life in Spain. CONCEPTS/VOCABULARY (write on vocab cards - see picture below for example) 3/4 meter Major Minor String Family Anacrusis (I like this version): TASK ANALYSIS 1. Discuss the facts about Boccherini (write on the board with his picture posted). 2. Listen to the song – have students keep only the downbeat pulse – as they listen show the major and minor vocab cards (at the appropriate time) and discuss the string family (specifically what members make up the string quartet) 3. Listen again – ask the students “do you feel that the beats are grouped in twos or threes” (stand and move if needed) – once the question has been answered, keep the 3/4 pulse (alternating places for each measure - we lightly tap top of hand then near elbow) 4. Create a large circle (without scarves) and complete the following movement: a. A section: Walk clockwise around the circle stepping on the downbeat only, beginning with the left foot (on repeat go counter-clockwise) b. B section: stand and face middle of the circle – spread arms upward twice and downward twice c. Complete entire form of the song: AABABA 5. Discuss the term “anacrusis” – pointing out to the students that the music began before we moved to the first downbeat 6. Try the same movement with scarves (weaving in to the circle " in, two, three" and then out "out two three" with whatever arm is facing outside of the circle) 7. Discuss the form of the music (students decode this) then write on board 8. Move in small circles (four small circles around hula-hoops works best) and perform the movement in small groups (if scarf color and hula-hoop color match, awesome - if the students wear the same color as the scarf and hula-hoop - you've got a program dance on your hands) Extension: They can fill out a listening recommendation such as this one below (you can find out more about this worksheet by clicking on the picture below) I hope you find these ideas helpful - give them a try :)

Make your child's birthday celebration buzz with excitement with our Bumblebee Crayon Favors. These fun and vibrant bee-themed crayons are the perfect kids' birthday gifts and party bag fillers. Each set includes 12 crayons, ensuring there's enough for everyone to enjoy. Let your little ones' creativity take flight as they color with these buzzing bee crayons. Ideal for bee-themed parties and classroom fun, these colorful favors will spark imagination and create a buzz of artistic excitement. Handcrafted with care, these crayons are non-toxic and safe for kids. Order now and add a touch of bee-inspired fun to your little one's special day! Unleash their creativity and watch their imaginations soar with our Bumblebee Crayon Favors.

Here are two of my favorite listening activities for Spring (one for K-2 and one for 3-5): The first goes with "Flight of the Bumblebee" and I've used it with 1st grade (I think it would work K-2). They are also working on the song "Bee Bee" (you can find a powerpoint lesson for this song here): I like to use this video below (obviously for visual effect - kiddos love checking this out and they are very observant, such as "blue is the low pitch" "the large shapes are longer sounds" etc): First, I have the students listen quietly and try to decide what the song might be about (they can follow along to the video). After the first listening, I ask them to discuss what they think it is about with their partner. Then, we discuss as a class and I label it as "flight of the bumblebee" (I have a bee mask that I believe I found at Michael's and I put that on - hilarious). For the second listening, I ask them questions about the dynamic level and tempo. We discuss this also. On the third listening, I select three "flowers" (I have them hold stuffed flowers that I believe they currently have at Target or you can buy them from Oriental Trading). My 1st graders totally know all about bees and we pause here to talk about them and how flowers and bees relate to one another. The students watch as I "fly" around the room (flapping short wings) and then "pollinate" (fly to a flower and hover by them). So the rules for the kiddos are: * no sounds so we can listen to the music and teacher instructions * bees must "fly" when they hear the teacher say "fly" and "pollinate" as soon as they here "pollinate" * never pick the same flower twice (we only do this for about 60 sec of the song or so) so that no flower feels left out * bees can fly quickly but they cannot run - we don't want anyone getting hurt On repetitions: * choose new flowers who must say a fact about bees or discuss something they heard in the song * use new versions of the song as they play (we really like this one:) Listening and Movement Lesson: “Minute in A Major” by Boccherini BACKGROUND INFO (write on board for students to see - I include his picture also) Composer: Luigi Boccherini Dates: 1743-1805 Title: Minuet in A Major from String Quartet in E, Op 13 No 5 Fact 1: Boccherini played the cello. Fact 2: Boccherini wrote lots of string quartets. Fact 3: Boccherini was born in Italy but spent most of his life in Spain. CONCEPTS/VOCABULARY (write on vocab cards - see picture below for example) 3/4 meter Major Minor String Family Anacrusis (I like this version): TASK ANALYSIS 1. Discuss the facts about Boccherini (write on the board with his picture posted). 2. Listen to the song – have students keep only the downbeat pulse – as they listen show the major and minor vocab cards (at the appropriate time) and discuss the string family (specifically what members make up the string quartet) 3. Listen again – ask the students “do you feel that the beats are grouped in twos or threes” (stand and move if needed) – once the question has been answered, keep the 3/4 pulse (alternating places for each measure - we lightly tap top of hand then near elbow) 4. Create a large circle (without scarves) and complete the following movement: a. A section: Walk clockwise around the circle stepping on the downbeat only, beginning with the left foot (on repeat go counter-clockwise) b. B section: stand and face middle of the circle – spread arms upward twice and downward twice c. Complete entire form of the song: AABABA 5. Discuss the term “anacrusis” – pointing out to the students that the music began before we moved to the first downbeat 6. Try the same movement with scarves (weaving in to the circle " in, two, three" and then out "out two three" with whatever arm is facing outside of the circle) 7. Discuss the form of the music (students decode this) then write on board 8. Move in small circles (four small circles around hula-hoops works best) and perform the movement in small groups (if scarf color and hula-hoop color match, awesome - if the students wear the same color as the scarf and hula-hoop - you've got a program dance on your hands) Extension: They can fill out a listening recommendation such as this one below (you can find out more about this worksheet by clicking on the picture below) I hope you find these ideas helpful - give them a try :)

Music appreciation for toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children based on "The Flight of the Bumblebee." Eight different learning activities for kids!

Denne gang vil jeg gerne vise jer en lille sød film med en kendt dame, som jeg tror de fleste mindre børn elsker: Minnie Mouse. I denne film er hun begyndt at dirigere og skal stå foran et orkester og vise dem, hvordan musikken skal spilles. Til aftenens koncert har hun valgt det stykke, der hedder Brumbassens Flugt, som den russiske komponist Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov har skrevet. Det er et kort stykke, der går rigtigt hurtigt - ligesom når en brumbasse flyver rundt fra blomst til blomst. I filmen kommer der også en brumbasse på besøg og forstyrrer Minnie og instrumenterne i deres arbejde med at spille musikken og forbindelsen mellem dens hurtige bevægelser og musikken bliver meget tydeligt. Jeg synes filmen er rigtig god til at tale om flere ting, f.eks. det at dirigere et orkester - hvorfor står der en foran orkestret med en lille pind og blafrer med armene - hvad er hans/ hendes rolle? Hvilke instrumenter ser i i filmen? Og hvad gør bien mod instrumenterne? Hvis i har lyst, så er det også oplagt at lade børnene (og de voksne) bevæge sig hurtigt som en brumbasse til musikstykket - lade som om de/ i er små bier, der svirrer rundt i stuen og måske stikker hinanden blidt i maverne. God fornøjelse!

Music appreciation for toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children based on "The Flight of the Bumblebee." Eight different learning activities for kids!

Preschool bumblebee craft & painting to music activity inspired by Flight of the Bumblebee

Catch the buzz: Commentator Miles Hoffman finds gorgeous musical evocations of the lowly bumblebee.

Music appreciation for toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children based on "The Flight of the Bumblebee." Eight different learning activities for kids!

Preschool bumblebee craft & painting to music activity inspired by Flight of the Bumblebee

Exploring music with toddlers and preschoolers using xylophones!

Music appreciation for toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children based on "The Flight of the Bumblebee." Eight different learning activities for kids!

Here's a great bee themed activity for toddlers and preschoolers that encourages them to listen with their ears and differentiate sounds. A simple musical exploration for kids.

Music appreciation for toddlers, preschoolers, and young school age children based on "The Flight of the Bumblebee." Eight different learning activities for kids!