Today in 1st and 2nd grade, we began Carnival of the Animals. In first grade, we listened to Aquarium, read Rainbow Fish, sang Rainbow Fish, made our own rainbow fish from torn tissue paper and performed a parachute routine to Aquarium. After using the parachute with The Nutcracker, I decided to make up a routine to Aquarium. 1st grade loved this. The parachute routine is below. (I'll try to make a video of this soon.) Sway left to right 1-4 Little waves 1-4 Repeat Rotate 1-4, left Rotate 1-4, right Rotate 1-4, left Parachute up and shake small waves on the way down (as music descends) Sway left to right 1-4 Little waves 1-4 Repeat Rotate 1-4, left Rotate 1-4, right Rotate 1-4, left Parachute up and shake small waves on the way down Sway 1-4 Up 1-4 (when music ascends) Sway 1-4 Up 1-4 Mushroom (up, walk in 2 counts, out 2 counts) 2x Small waves Mushroom (up, walk in 2 counts, out 2 counts) 2x Parachute up and shake small waves on the way down Parachute up and students turn in a circle under the parachute My example torn paper Rainbow Fish. Next week we will work on Elephants. I am using the String Bass idea from Music a la Abbott. It is great! I also have a worksheet for form so we can begin working on patterns in music. (The students go more in depth with the Carnival of the Animals in 2nd grade.) As a concluding activity, I have planned to use an awesome iPad app for the Jungle Book! The app is a book that included games and most importantly, a sing along for The Bare Necessities. Along with the jungle theme, I am using a non-pitched percussion arrangement from Activate (Aug/Sept. 2008) called Jungle Rhythms. This will also bring our work on rhythm full circle. Jungle Rhythms