[HANASHIR:14650] Re: Starting a music program

[Joy Newman <joyzee...>]

Hello!!

Along the same line of thinking, try having them make commercials for Jewish 
holidays or objects?  They can work in groups to develope a jingle and then 
a skit that they can perform for each other, or at a special event.  Try 
having them to paper bag skits, where you give them a plethora of bizarre 
objects and then have them work them all into a skit around a theme, maybe 
for an upcoming holiday.

I remember doing things like this when I was in 5th/6th grade, and loving 
it.  Granted you are going to have those kids, (probably more boys than 
girls although you never know) who find it stupid.  That's going to happen 
no matter what the activity.  But....as a once in a while group project, 
activities such as commercials or skits are a wonderful way of encorporating 
music into a more active hands on program.

Lastly, are you just doing music, or is it a drama/music program?  If your 
program is being designed to help students better appreciate the Judaism in 
the arts in general, try a pre-written skit every now and then.  Ie: 
sometimes have them write their own skit (either around a song or an object) 
but other times bring a skit with you, about the parsha, or about a holiday. 
  There are wonderful books of children's plays for Jewish settings, 
designed for all ages.  Same with puppet shows.  I remember making our own 
puppets, and then putting on shows with them.  Or, you could have one age 
group  make the puppets (say...in art...or whatnot) and then have another 
age group use those puppets as part of a music actvity.  Same with home-made 
musical intstruments.

Ok...enough rambing.  Good luck with your program, and have fun!!!

~smile always~
-Joy Newman
Rochester, NY


>From: Freedabet (at) aol(dot)com
>Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>Subject: [HANASHIR:14648] Re: Starting a music program
>Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 10:50:22 EDT
>
>I've found that after 5th grade, the kids often just have a bad attitude
>toward singing songs.  The most successful technique I've found is to have 
>them
>'write their own song.'  They can pick a popular song they know and put 
>words
>with a Jewish them to them, or they can make up a melody as well.
>
>Michael

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