Domain:
Language & Communication
Competency:
Decode and comprehend words and texts
🎂
4-6 year olds
⏰
25 to 30 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Children will identify and produce the initial sounds of words by associating them with animal names and musical terms from the book 'Animal Albums from A to Z.'.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Animal Albums from A to Z' by Cece Bell, children are taken on a whimsical Follow the alphabet with fictional records created by animal musicians. This playful book introduces young readers to music history from the 1940s to the 1980s, featuring imaginative acts like the Barbershop Beagles and the Hip-Hop Hedgehogs. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by an animal artist, complete with clever song lyrics and humorous backstories. The book is richly illustrated with vibrant album covers, all hand-painted by the author. It combines humor, creativity, and music to engage children in learning the alphabet while showcasing the significance of music across generations.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Orchestra | Published by Scholastic, written by Ilo Orleans | This colorful picture book introduces children to a variety of musical instruments and animal characters, encouraging them to explore sounds and rhythms. |
| Zin. Zin. Zin. A Violin | Published by Simon & Schuster, written by Lloyd Moss | This engaging book uses rhyming text and vivid illustrations to count and introduce different instruments in an orchestra, perfect for combining music appreciation with literacy. |
| The Animal Boogie | Published by Barefoot Books, written by Debbie Harter | This interactive sing-along storybook invites children to join jungle animals in a musical adventure, enhancing their understanding of rhythm and movement. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | What we hear with our ears. | The sound of the Hip-Hop Hedgehogs makes me want to dance. |
| Song | Music with words that you can sing. | Let's listen to the Barbershop Beagles' song together. |
| Animal | A living thing like a dog or cat. | Each letter in the book has a different animal artist. |
| Music | Sounds made by singing or playing instruments. | The music from the album makes me feel happy. |
| Dance | To move your body to music. | We dance to the fun music in the classroom. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "How can we use sounds and music to share stories about animals and ourselves?"
Today, we'll explore the magical world of animals and music. Together, we'll discover how sounds can tell stories and create fun, musical moments. Let's open our ears and hearts to the playful tunes of our animal friends.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by asking the children to close their eyes and imagine their favorite animal making a funny sound. Encourage them to think about how that sound might make them feel.
- Next, play a short, gentle piece of music and ask the children to imagine which animal might be playing that tune. Prompt them to listen carefully and think about what instrument the animal might use.
- Finally, invite the children to share their thoughts and ideas with a partner. Encourage them to describe the animal and the musical story it might tell, focusing on the sounds and feelings they imagined.
Teacher Tips
- Use a soft and inviting voice to help create a calm and imaginative atmosphere.
- Encourage all children to participate by validating their ideas and asking open-ended questions that invite further exploration.
- Be mindful of any children who might feel shy, and offer them gentle encouragement or the option to share their thoughts in smaller groups or with you directly.
Learn
Let's dive into the colorful and musical world of 'Animal Albums from A to Z' by Cece Bell. In this story, we'll meet all kinds of animal musicians, each with their own unique style and sound. Are you ready to explore the playful melodies and stories these animals have to share?
Interactive Engagement
- As we meet the Barbershop Beagles, what sounds do you think they make? Can you hum or sing along like a beagle might?
- Look at the album cover for the Hip-Hop Hedgehogs. What do you notice about their style? How do you think their music might make you feel?
- When we see a new animal musician, let's think about what instrument they might play. Can you pretend to play that instrument too?
- As we read about the different animals, think about which animal's music you would like to hear at a party. Why do you think their music would be fun?
- When we get to the Jazz Jaguars, let's snap our fingers or tap our toes to the beat. What kind of mood does their music create?
Teacher Tips
- Use different voices for each animal musician to help bring the characters to life and keep students engaged.
- Pause frequently to show the vibrant illustrations, allowing children to observe and comment on the details.
- Encourage students to use gestures and sounds to express their interpretations of the music, fostering active participation and creativity.
Ask
Now that we've journeyed through the world of 'Animal Albums from A to Z,' let's think about how these musical animals made us feel and what they remind us of in our own lives.
Discussion Questions
- Think about a time when you heard music that made you feel happy or excited. Which animal from the book do you think would play that kind of music, and why?
- If you could create a song about an animal you love, what sounds would you use to tell its story? How might those sounds make people feel?
- Imagine you're part of a band with one of the animal musicians from the story. What would your band be like, and how would you work together to make music?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use their imagination and share personal stories about music they enjoy. Validate all responses to help them feel their experiences and ideas are valued.
- Facilitate the discussion by gently guiding children to elaborate on their thoughts, asking follow-up questions like 'What makes you think that?' or 'How does that sound make you feel?'.
- Create an inclusive environment by ensuring each child has a chance to share. You might prompt quieter students with open-ended questions or by inviting them to demonstrate sounds or movements they associate with the story.
Navigate
Musical Animal Sound Exploration
Inspired by the playful and creative world of 'Animal Albums from A to Z,' this activity invites children to explore initial sounds through music and animals. As they create their own animal musician, children will engage in a joyful journey that connects sounds, creativity, and humor, just as the book does by blending music history with imaginative storytelling.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use their imagination and be creative with their animal-musician combinations.
- Provide guidance and examples of musical genres if needed to help them make connections with the sounds they create.
- Foster a supportive environment where children feel comfortable sharing their ideas and exploring sounds together.
Share
Let's take a moment to think about all the wonderful animal musicians we met today and how they helped us learn about sounds and music. How did these animal stories and songs make you feel, and what did they help you discover about yourself?
Reflection Questions
- Can you share which animal musician was your favorite and why? How did their music make you feel?
- Think about a new sound or word you learned today. How could you use it to tell a story about your own favorite animal?
- What was something fun or surprising you learned about music or animals today? How can you use that idea in your next adventure?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to use art to express their favorite part of the story or their favorite animal musician.
- Provide sentence starters such as 'I felt..' or 'I learned..' to help children articulate their thoughts.
- Acknowledge each child's reflection with positive reinforcement, ensuring them that their ideas are valuable and interesting.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Create a visual display with images and names of animals and musical genres. Include a sound button for each genre that plays a short audio clip to reinforce the connection between the visual and auditory elements.
- Use a tactile alphabet board where children can match animal figurines to the corresponding letter, providing a hands-on way to connect sounds and letters.
- Incorporate a 'sound wall' with buttons that play initial sounds of animal names, allowing children to hear and mimic these sounds repeatedly.
- Offer a digital version of the activity using an app or interactive whiteboard where children can drag and drop animals to their corresponding letter and hear the initial sound.
- Provide a simplified version of the activity with fewer animals and genres for children who may need more focused support, ensuring accessibility and understanding.
Action & Expression
- Set up a recording station where children can record a short video or audio clip of themselves introducing their animal musician and playing their chosen rhythm.
- Provide storytelling props like finger puppets or felt boards for children to narrate their musical animal's story, allowing them to express understanding through imaginative play.
- Encourage children to create a mini-concert where they perform their animal's music genre using simple instruments, supporting musical expression.
- Offer children the opportunity to collaborate on a group mural of their animal musicians, encouraging cooperative art as a form of expression.
- Implement a 'show-and-tell' session where children explain their album cover and the sounds they chose, promoting verbal skills and confidence in sharing ideas.
Engagement
- Start the activity with an engaging animal and music guessing game, where children listen to a sound clip and guess the animal and genre, sparking curiosity and excitement.
- Organize a 'musical animal parade' where children walk around with their animal and genre creations, playing their rhythms in a fun and interactive way.
- Allow children to choose between creating a traditional paper album cover or a digital version using a tablet, providing autonomy and catering to different interests.
- Incorporate movement breaks where children dance to different music genres, maintaining energy and enthusiasm throughout the activity.
- Invite a local musician or use a video of one to demonstrate different instruments and genres, adding an authentic and inspiring element to the learning experience.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- Observe children as they select their alphabet card and animal toy or card, noting their ability to articulate the initial sound of the animal's name. Look for their confidence in identifying the correct initial sound and their engagement in connecting it to musical terms.
- During the 'Act' phase, listen to children as they create rhythms or sounds with their musical instruments. Pay attention to their use of initial sounds when they explain their musical genre choices and animal musician concept to peers, ensuring they can correctly associate the sounds with their animal and genre.
Summative Assessment
- Have each child present their 'album cover' drawing, explaining their chosen animal, musical genre, and corresponding initial sound. Look for their ability to clearly articulate the initial sound and creatively connect it to the animal and genre, ensuring they can explain their choices to the group.
- Ask children to complete a reflective drawing or journal entry about their animal musician experience. They should illustrate their animal and genre, writing or dictating the initial sounds and how they relate to their creation. Assess their understanding by the accuracy of initial sounds and the creativity in linking sounds to animals and music.
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