Archive for the ‘Music’ category

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Free Math Video Lessons & Much More!

March 15th, 2010

Hi! It’s Monday, March 15, 2010 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
WatchKnow.org: Mathematics

Age Range: 5-18 (Grades K-12)

ClickScholar Nancy Hogan recommended this website that offers free videos that teach every school subject including over 1800 math lessons on video! The videos archived here have been researched, rated and sorted by WatchKnow, a non-profit online community. The videos are from other Internet sources such as YouTube. The difference here is that the ads and user comments have been eliminated, and the videos have been sorted and rated to provide easier use along with some helpful guidance.

When you get to the site you’ll see two sections. The “Mathematics” section is on the right side of the page (the “Directory” to the rest of the site is on the left). Under the math section you’ll see some featured math videos, as well as a menu of math subcategories that include:

  • Number Basics
  • Operations
  • Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
  • Graphing, Statistics, and Probability
  • Geometry
  • Measurement
  • Pre-Algebra and Algebra
  • Precalculus
  • Calculus
  • ‘Language of Mathematics’ Series
  • Math Study Skills and Test Prep
  • History of Math

Click on any subcategory and a new page opens featuring the videos that have been archived to date. The videos are all free for viewing. Some have been uploaded by site members. The videos are moderated by WatchKnow to ensure appropriate content. To share videos, you must open an account (free) that also allows you to track your activities. There are different levels of membership and some (such as the level that allows you to enter WatchKnow contests) requires you to provide access to personal information.  Get the details at the website.

As I mentioned, this site also contains lots of useful video lessons on other topics including:

  • Language Arts
  • Literature
  • Science
  • History
  • Social Studies
  • Languages
  • Physical and Health Ed
  • The Arts
  • Computers and Technology
  • Practical Skills
  • Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics

WatchKnow’s goal is to collect all the best free educational videos that are made for children and explain every topic taught in schools, in every major language on Earth – and make them available on one website, usefully categorized according to subject and education level.

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Posted in Art, Electives, Foreign Language, Health, Language Arts, Math, Music, Other, Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences

“Wild Music”

February 27th, 2010

Hi! It’s Saturday, February 27, 2010 and time for Music at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
WildMusic.org

Age Range: All (Younger children and non-readers will need assistance.)

ClickScholar Michael recommended this really fun website that is a companion to a traveling exhibition about the “Sounds and Songs of Life” (currently in Wichita, Kansas through April 25, 2010). It offers free, interactive, virtual exhibits where you can learn the science behind how animals and people make sound and music.

When you get to the site you can click “Play” to hear musical “compositions” created from sounds in nature. You’ll also see a menu of items that include:

*Soundscapes – Use archived recordings of animals, humans, wind, and water to create your own sound compositions. Adjust the results with a virtual sound mixer. Explore maps of sounds that were recorded all over the planet.

*Animal – Listen to different animal sounds and bird songs; then test your memory with a sound match game.

*About Sound – Discover what researchers have learned about sound frequency, wavelengths, voice boxes, and more. Play a game to see if you can hear as well as a baby. Take a test to see how your hearing compares to that of animals. Get instruction to make your own Pan Pipes, bell bracelet, and maracas!

You can also take a virtual photographic tour of the exhibit, and meet the scientists and musicians behind the exhibit through video clips, photos, and text.

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Posted in Music, Science

Free Music Songbook with Lessons

January 23rd, 2010

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Hi! It’s Saturday, January 23, 2010 and time for Music at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Utah State Office of Education: Elementary Songbook

A Maryland ClickScholar recommended this website, sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education, that offers a free songbook with lesson plans for teaching elementary music education.

When you get to the site you’ll see the introductory page and menu of songs that include children’s favorites such as:

  • A Tisket, A Tasket
  • Bingo
  • Clementine
  • Down in the Valley
  • Going to the Zoo
  • Hot Cross Buns
  • Itsy Bitsy Spider
  • Kum Ba Yah
  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game
  • This Little Light of Mine
  • ~and many, many more!

Click on any song and a new page opens where you will find the sheet music, lyrics, suggested activities, ideas for playing instruments, curriculum tie-ins, and more. There’s a complete lesson plan for each song listed.

While this online songbook was created with classroom teachers in mind, it can be easily tweaked for use in the homeschool or unschool environment as well.

If you don’t read sheet music, and you’re not sure of a particular tune, you can try to locate it and listen to it on the NIEHS Kids’ Music Pages.

Enjoy!

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Posted in Music

Musical Arts & Crafts

January 9th, 2010

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Hi!  It’s Saturday, January 10, 2010 and time for Music at ClickSchooling!
 
Recommended Website:
Artists Helping Kids: Musical Arts & Crafts
http://www.homefires.com/click?musicart

Age Range: 4-16 (tots to teens)
 
If winter weather is keeping you and the kids indoors, this website provides free instructions on how to make your own musical instruments that will help everyone pass the time more happily.

When you get to the site, scroll down the page slightly to the menu of possibilities that includes:

  • African Drums
  • Bells on a String
  • Bongo Drums
  • Bagpipes
  • Tambourines
  • Guitar
  • Cymbals
  • Didgeridoo
  • Maracas
  • Castanets
  • Kazoo
  • Rainstick
  • Banjo
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • ~ and many more!

Best of all, many of these instruments can be made by recycling things you’ll find around the house such as coffee cans, bottle caps, oatmeal boxes, paper plates, tissue paper, straws, combs, pie tins, etc.

Not only that, many of the instruments offer cross-curricular connections with Social Studies.  There are instruments for celebrating cultural holidays and religious festivals. 

Click on any item on the menu and a new page opens with information about the instrument, a materials list, and complete instructions with pictures. In some instances you’ll find how-to video clips.

When you’re through making a joyful noise, be sure to check out the rest of the site that offers innumerable ways to express creativity that are sure to dispel winter doldrums.

Enjoy!

 

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Posted in Music

Special Message from Diane Flynn Keith

October 25th, 2009

Special Message from Diane Flynn Keith

Hi,

I have exciting news! The new, second edition of my book, “Carschooling: Over 350 Entertaining Games and Activities To Turn Travel Time Into Learning Time” is now available at my completely revised and updated website, http://www.Carschooling.com!

To complement the new edition of the “Carschooling” book and website, I have created a brand new version of the “Carschooling Ezine.”

Today, October 25th, is the launch date for the FIRST ISSUE that includes a free, monthly “Carschooling Calendar” for November – so you can learn history on the go! Plus it contains recommendations for terrific resources to help you turn your kids into “Road Scholars”!

To subscribe, go to http://www.Carschooling.com and enter your name and email address in the blue box form at the top, right corner of the page.

IMPORTANT: Even if you have subscribed in the past, you must re-subscribe to get the new version of the “Carschooling Ezine.”

Those who subscribe, will be rewarded with my free, handy-dandy “Carschooling Games & Activity Chart” with backseat brain-boosters that will bring miles of smiles to everyone in your car! Print it out and tuck it into the glove compartment for instant access to road trip learning fun!

Don’t miss the first issue of the “Carschooling Ezine” that will be published later today.

AND GET YOUR COPY OF MY BOOK,”CARSCHOOLING” TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MILE. Just visit: http://www.Carschooling.com

Diane

Diane Flynn Keith, Author of Carschooling

Publisher of ClickSchooling

—————————————————-

Are You The Parent of a Preschooler? You’ll Love Universal Preschool’s Learning Calendar! It’s chock-full of fun, easy activities & time-saving resources for learning with little ones all year long! Get your copy today… http://www.homefires.com/store/uplearning.asp

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Posted in Art, Electives, Foreign Language, Language Arts, Math, Music, Science, Social Sciences

Free Downloadable Kids Music

October 17th, 2009

Recommended Website:
Free Kids Music

This website offers an archive of FREE, legal, high-quality children’s music MP3 downloads that you can play on your computer, MP3 player, or burn to a CD for personal use. (Great for Carschooling!)

Many of the songs you’ll find on this site are from talented, independent children’s music artists. These are complete songs — not samples. As the website explains, the artists post free music downloads here to introduce you to their music with the hope that if you like what you hear, you’ll book them for a gig or buy their album.

When you get to the site you’ll see the featured tunes in the center of the screen. (Careful, this is a Google Ad supported site, and the ads are woven throughout the text. It can be a little confusing and you may wind up clicking on an ad, instead of a song for download. This is a minor inconvenience – just hit the back button to return to the home page.)

Use the menu on the right side of the page to view:

  • Contemporary — Use the alphabetical listing of artists to find songs by them that you want to download. Again, you may not recognize the names of these artists or bands (for example, Oren and the Hiccups) – but you’re sure to have fun getting to know them and their music. :)
  • Traditional — Select classic children’s songs by title to download, such as “The Alphabet Song,” “Do Your Ears Hang Low,” “Found A Peanut,” “Frere Jacques,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Kumbaya,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and many more.

In either category, pick a song title and a new page opens where you can read the lyrics and chords and download the MP3.

Oh, and if you happen to be a children’s music artist, click on “For Artists” and find out how to get your music featured on this site.

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Posted in Music