Making Music with Child-Crafted Instruments!

Children take great pride in their own creations! Often they use something more carefully when they’ve made it themselves. 

   Miss Carole of Macaroni Soup here - gettin' crafty! This month I’ll show you how we made bolang gu – pellet drums for celebrating Chinese New Year, and claves, for tapping out rhythms and using as manipulatives.  I have offered posts on songs to use with both of these instruments – be sure to take a look at the original blogs to go with these instruments.

CLAVES (CLAH-vays) are percussive sticks of the same size that can be tapped together rhythmically.  I use 1” dowels cut in 8” lengths. You can make 6 claves out of a 48” dowel rod – and if you ask really really nicely, the guy at the lumberyard may cut them on the circular saw for you! Use your “teacher card” – smile and say “it’s for little kids!”  Works every time!

CUT medium and fine grade sandpaper into 3” squares – each child will need one square of each.  Have your students sit on newspaper – less clean-up later.  They should sand each end of each stick (they’ll each need 2 sticks) until they are smooth and there are no splinters.  Put the child’s initials on the end of each stick with marker if you intend for them to take their claves home eventually.

Paint!  I use washable acrylics – but we still wear cover-ups, just in case.  Put out about 4-6 colors.  Some helpful hints for your artists:

    1.   Try not to mix paint colors on your stick – it will look muddy.
     2.   Drain the brush of excess paint each time you dip to prevent globs of paint, which won’t dry properly.           

   I stand the painted claves upright in a shoebox to dry.

When claves are totally dry (at least overnight), a light sanding by the kids will bring up the colors. Towel off all debris. I spray claves with glossy polyurethane for protection.  Voila – colorful child-made claves!

For song ideas to use with your claves, check out my Dec 16, 2013 blog: “Tap It Out!”  You’ll find “I Can Hammer”, “My Grandfather’s Clock” and “The Red Red Robin Stick Dance” – the latter with a FREE DOWNLOAD!

CHINESE DRUMS are percussive instruments that can be used to accent a song OR story!  This year, the lunar new year begins on February 19 – and you’ve got 15 days of celebration to enjoy learning about a beautiful and intriguing holiday observance. It's the year of the goat/sheep!

    Check out my January 2013 blog “Chinese New Year – Sing, Dance, Create!” for the Nancy Stewart’s beautiful FREE DOWNLOAD “Gung Hay Fat Choy” – which means Happy New Year in Chinese.  You’ll also find a quick recap of some traditions – from red envelopes to cleaning the kitchen.  There are also great read-able book suggestions.

    This year my 4 -5 year olds made Bolang Gu – Chinese drums – from paper plates, a dowel, some ribbon and beads.  They really enjoyed the process AND the firecracker-y sound they made when played.

Supplies:  white glue, a stapler, a hole punch. 

Optional: stickers, or construction paper “good luck” in English & Chinese characters.

For each drum you will need:

two 6-8” paper plate (red or multi-colored)

two 8” pieces of ribbon, string or cord

4 small plastic beads

1 3/8” dowel, 10 – 12” long (I got pre-cut dowels at the craft store)

To make (highlighted steps were done by me – use judgement as to what your students can safely handle):

1. if using colored plates, press plates inside out so that color is on outside

2. staple 2 plates together around the edges, leaving a place to insert the dowel

3. punch hole at 3 & 9 o’clock

4. decorate plates – stickers, “good luck”- whatever you choose

5. put ribbon through hole on each side, thread bead, tie knot at end of ribbon

6. insert dowel, drip a little glue into each side of dowel, turn it once to spread

When glue is dry, hold dowel between flat hands and rub hands together to turn the dowel.  The beads will swing back and forth, hitting the drum faces – pop pop pop!

    Katie at Gift of Curiosity has a nice blog on this project.  Check it out!

    As I told my class the story of Nian (n’YEN) – the sea creature who ate whole villages – and the old man who scared Nian away forever by putting up lanterns, red banners and firecrackers – they used their drums, scarves and voices, too!  Great fun!  We also used our drums in “Gung Hay Fat Choy” – during the final verse, I dance the dragon/monster – they make loud noise to scare me away!

    I wish I had pictures of this final verse – but I was IN IT!  Try it yourself – if you can’t make drums, the children can clap their hands loudly.

Yes, there is preparation when making instruments. I have found it worth it – students and their parents tell me repeatedly how their child played with the instruments they made many times at home, and that these are treasures and memories that are valued.

    Hooked?  Make rainsticks! Check out my May 2012 blog: Rainsticks to Sing With!

       Yours for a TapTap and PopPop Song!       

       “Miss Carole” Stephens

       Macaroni Soup! Active Music for Active Learners!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Singing Time: Songs, Stories, Books, & Apps to Celebrate the

Chinese New Year

Hello everyone! Ms. Brigid here, from Merit School of Music  in Chicago, IL. Happy Year of the Horse! This week we’re exploring resources for the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Over a billion people observe Chinese New Year – in fact during the two weeks it’s celebrated, from the new moon to the full moon, the largest human migration on earth takes place as family members travel to be with each other for New Years Eve on January 30^th. 

 ©2014 Brigid Finucane. Irresistible Good Luck Candy!

I have been celebrating the lunar festival for over a decade in my classrooms, each year adding new layers. My observance stems from the good fortune of being placed at the Chinese American Service League (CASL) as the Pre-K music teacher through Bridges, Merit’s outreach program.  CASL was my first Merit teaching site, and one I’ll forever cherish. To have a window into such a rich culture and community is a gift.

Chinese New Year, as with other holidays celebrated this time of year, centers on Family, Feasts, Light (fireworks, lanterns), and Community (parties, parades, visiting). Specific songs are associated with the holiday and similar preparations take place – cleaning and decorating the home, shopping, preparing symbolic food, wearing special (new) clothes, and making arrangements to host or travel. My students, families and teachers explore these similarities in class, and talk about the differences - like Lion Dancers and Dancing Dragons! Happy memories of holiday gatherings are still fresh in the kiddos’ minds, and connections are easily made!

©2014 Brigid Finucane. Oranges and flowers and lanterns, oh my!

SONGS

My favorite Chinese New Song is Gung Hay Fat Choy by Nancy Stewart, a Children’s Music Network (CMN) member living in Seattle. Sheet music, an mp3 and an instrumental version are available.

Nancy Stewart's Song of the Month, January 2003

In a few perfectly crafted verses the song chronicles the key features – starting with preparations and ending with dragons dancing and a nod to the Lantern Festival, which concludes the holiday on the 15^th day (full moon). The song even notes how the starting date is determined: 

    “The new moon tells us exactly when

     We celebrate with family and friends.”

The hauntingly beautiful chorus is one that all, even the youngest, can sing:

“Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Sing Happy New Year!  Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Feng Yang Hua Gu or Flower Drum Song is a popular traditional song associated with the New Year. The end of the song mimics the sound of the drum.  There are many YouTube versions, ranging from dance troupes to instrumental ensembles.

Video by Red Taurus:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8blxd_sQBnI

STORIES

Storynory is an online storytelling site. Stories can be listened to or read.

Chinese Years of the Animals. “In Chinese astrology, each year is named after an animal, and if you are born in that year, you take some of that animal’s characteristics. This is the story of how each year go its name,…”

Chinese Year of the Horse – The Horse That Ran Away. This story  "...shows that you can never tell if an event will turn out to be good or bad luck in the long term. The idea is part of Taoist philosophy, which teaches that you must live  in harmony with nature and what it brings you, good or bad."

Fun With Mandarin’s vibrantly illustrated Story of Nian is suitable for younger viewers, and tells the origination of New Year traditions. YouTube.

BOOKS

In the not so distant past, information was harder to unearth about Chinese New Year. The internet has changed that, and numerous books written specifically for young children have added greatly to understanding the holiday. First, the internet!

-Chinese New Year Traditions, created by Chinese Childbook, is a short family-friendly video created for Year of the Tiger (2010).

-Chinese New Year  –  the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s remarkable repository of information about Chinese New Year includes worksheets and visuals of objects associated with the holiday, ranging from ornaments to kumquat trees to Fu symbols!

Now the books!

©2014 Brigid Finucane.
Music Masters I kiddos - who aren't afraid of dragons!

-The Dancing Dragon perfectly captures the excitement of the New Year parade. The book’s unique accordion format unfolds to reveal the dragon!

-This Next New Year is a book about the promise of the new year and a Chinese-Korean boy who has big dreams. It captures the heart completely.  Unfortunately, it is hard to purchase – but available in many libraries.

-Rabbit’s Gift, based on a Chinese fable, is a gentle tale of a turnip (!) and the power of sharing and caring for others. Margaret Hooton from the Children’s Music Network (CMN), introduced the book to me, and we both wrote verses to go with the story. 
Margaret:                                                            Brigid:          

Turnips are so sweet,                           La, la, la, la, la. 
And they’re good to eat!                      La, la, la, la, la.
On a cold winter day                            Sharing with friends

Turnips are a treat!                              Is a gift from the heart.

Listen below, in the Chinese New Year Card video greeting! We've "piggybacked" our lyrics onto the first four measures of Feng Yang Hua Gu or Flower Drum Song!

APPS

The apps below are all free versions – which mean there are ads, alas. Even so, they’re worthwhile, and if you’re so inclined, an “In-App” purchase will take care of the annoyances!

1. Chinese New Year Video Greeting Cards. Send  video greetings with this app. Two card styles are available, with options to buy more music and backgrounds. Ads are intrusive!

Brigid's song.
 http://get-puppet.com/s/G90n1LSRnOk?autoplay

Margaret's song.
http://get-puppet.com/s/5PicxJZLl-o?autoplay

2. Learn about and listen to traditional Chinese Instruments, created by The United Academy of Music in Wanchi Hong Kong – a truly impressive  and generous app. Wish List: A pronunciation guide and more clearly written song and instrument information.

©2014 Brigid Finucane. Year of the Metal Horse.

3. No New Year festival is complete without fireworks!  Make your own fireworks with Fireworks Arcade.

AROUND THE WEB - JUST FOR FUN

If you’re wondering about the installation photos, they were inspired by Liz Hannan from CMN who contributed a hilarious story to the CMN list-serve about toy dinosaurs in the home environment. I thought, “Why not substitute a toy horse for the dinosaurs?”  Join me, and get creative in your classroom over the 15 days of the festival! Your kiddos will love it. Please share pictures! 

    

©2014 Brigid Finucane. Lucky horses!

Thank you so much for joining me! It’s wonderful to be part of this new community.

 Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have. I’m here to help!

I hope you’ll visit me next month, when I’ll be sharing more apps and musical ideas.

             

I am continually inspired by the Children’s Music Network (CMN) community. an international group of socially conscious musicians, educators, librarians, families, songwriters and good people, who “celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas, and creating community.” Please visit CMN, and find a gathering in your region.

©2014 Brigid Finucane  * 847-213-0713 * gardengoddess1@comcast.net

http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com 

http://brigidfinucane.blogspot.com

@booksinger1

Blog History

Dec.2013. Singing Time! Embracing Appadiction

   

Chinese New Year – Sing, Dance, Create!

Gung Hay Fat Choy from Macaroni Soup with Miss Carole! 

    Soon it will be Chinese New Year (on the Lunar Calendar), and I’d like to share some of the fun  things I do with my students to teach them about this very colorful and interesting celebration.  With books, songs, art projects and simple food it is easy for young children to appreciate and enjoy a holiday from another culture.

    Over the past 5 years I have assembled music, art and literature that are developmentally appropriate for 3 – 6 year olds.

    2013 is the Year of the Snake, and the New Year’s Celebration begins on February 10.  You have time to prepare!  Typically the “party” lasts 15 days. 

    To prepare for the New Year, everyone must clean.  Sweep out the old year, then don’t clean for the first few days of the New Year or you risk sweeping away your good luck!  (Ok – the cracker crumbs under the snack table gotta go, but you get the idea!)

    Now decorate!  Make papercuts of red paper to hang on doors and windows.  Create a dragon head to lead your Dragon Dance line around the room.  Make a lantern - see Maggy's blog from Dec 27.

    Make a gift for the Kitchen God so that it reports in your favor when it returns to Heaven!  Sticky Cake (not STINKY CAKE!  But you could use my song - "We're going to make a sticky cake!  Put some honey in the sticky cake!") Anything made with honey is especially good!  Even a drizzle of honey on a cracker or bread will work.

    Create a money packet or leisee from red paper decorated with gold writing or stickers.  During Chinese New Year, children receive “lucky money”…even a penny will do!

    Tell the ancient legend of Nian (pronounced n-YEN.)  This ferocious sea creature once tormented villagers by swallowing several of them in his large mouth in a single bite once each year.  One year, an old man appeared in the village on the Eve of the New Year.  He said he would chase Nian away.  The villagers fled anyway, leaving the old man alone to face the beast.  When Nian emerged to wreak his usual havoc, the old man lit firecrackers, lit bright lanterns and waved red banners.  The beast was frightened and ran away, never to be seen again!  When the villagers returned, the old man was gone, but they found the debris from the firecrackers and the lanterns and banners hanging on their houses.  From then on these three items were used to celebrate the New Year!

    When I told this story this week, the children were wide-eyed.  I emphasized that it happened before they were born (before their parents and grandparents, for that matter) and Nian was never seen ANYWHERE ever again! 

BOOKS:  For preschool and Kinders, I like DRAGON DANCE by Joan Holub.  The lift-the-flaps format is great for reading to children.

    For younger 3’s and Toddlers, try LANTERNS AND FIRECRACKERS by Jonny Zucker and J.B.Cohen.

    I got both books on Amazon.com.

MUSIC:  Nancy Stewart has written and recorded a magical song, “Gung Hay Fat Choy”.  She offers it on her website as a FREE DOWNLOAD – yes, folks, FREE!!!  There is also sheet music there, too!

    With my students, we do this song with scarves.  We weave one end of the scarf in and out our fingers, letting the rest of the scarf fall toward the ground.  It could also be done with crepe paper streamers.  Here’s our dance:

Gung hay fat choy, gung hay fat choy   (clap on gung, move one hand to side parallel with head, repeat on other side)

Sing Happy New Year, Gung Hay Fat Choy!  (repeat actions above)

    During the verses, act out the words:

Verse 1:  we bow to each other and say “Ni hao” (hello) to each other.

Verse 2:  use your scarf as a broom, sweeping.

Verse 3:  hold up both hands in front, palms upward, tip one up, then the other.

Verse 4:  Put hands to sides of head to make dragon horns, dance around the room!

BOW with palms together at the end of the song.
    It’s so beautiful!  Thank you, Nancy for such a gift!

ART:  Copy a dragon’s head onto heavyweight paper or cardboard.  Children may color or paint the dragon.  Cut out the dragon head.  Staple a strip of the paper to the back of the dragon so that the children can slip their flat hand in to hold it up.  We use the scarf in one hand, dragon in the other with my 4 - 6 year olds.  The pattern in the link above is excellent.

MORE IDEAS: 

·        Download pictures of the different animals that are celebrated each year, identify each one with your kids.  What year were most of them born under? Who’s a Rat?  An Ox?  A Dog?

·        Make long spaghetti-like noodles to eat.  Long noodles for a long life!

·        Cut spiral snakes and hang them from the ceiling!  It’s the Year of the Snake, remember?

·        Play “Where’s the Snake”- hide a rubber snake in the room and let everyone hunt for it!  OR, hide a few gummy snakes, each in a Ziploc snackbag – and you can eat what you catch!  Sharing is encouraged, so have a small knife ready.

Today, Chinese New Year is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year.  Have the children make New Year’s card for their family, wishing them luck and prosperity!

I also found great info here.

    To all of the followers of the PreK and K Sharing Blog – I wish YOU a prosperous and “lucky” 2013!

Yours for a Happy Song!

“Miss Carole” Stephens

Macaroni Soup! Active Music forKids!