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Classical Music Lessons for Children and Teens

on January 21, 2011

Montessori Consistent Classical Music Lessons for Children and Teens
by Classical Magic

Available from Sing’nLearn

Winter – The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
Written by Marjorie Persons

May Be Adapted for Presentations to Students 4 through 13 Years of Age


Winter celebrations are not complete without music. The Four Seasons, by composer Antonio Vivaldi, inspired Marjorie to write many interdisciplinary seasonal lesson plans for children ranging from PreK through Grade 8. The Four Seasons – Winter lesson plan incorporates science, social science and other activities to make an interdisciplinary unit study that is consistent with the Montessori method.


Marjorie compares and contrasts the Baroque Period with the Pilgrim’s landing at Plymouth Rock. Marjorie stated, “So children can develop a historical framework for the information they gather, I teach them one important date in American history for each century as a reference point.”


The lesson features biographical information about Antonio Vivaldi and provides a framework for helping students clearly see the relationship between understanding important music concepts through word study and listening exercises.

The free lesson plan, lyrics, suggested supplemental activities and links to additional resources are available for viewing by visiting
http://www.amonco.org/winter7/montessori_winter7.pdf


Spring – The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi

Lesson by Marjorie Persons

May Be Adapted for Presentations to Students 4 through 13 Years of Age

In this lesson, Marjorie helps usher in spring, with springtime curriculum integration ideas that spotlight Vivaldi’s masterpiece.

“Children learn music better with words and words better with music.” Marjorie noted. (No pun intended.) To help reinforce this concept, Marjorie provides exercises which help children discover various left to right and up and down movements used in music and in the rhythm of language.

To download this lesson and resource links, please visit Sing’nLearn and
http://www.amonco.org/spring7/montessori_spring7.pdf

Water Music – Alla Hornpipe by George Frideric Handel.

Lesson Plan by Marjorie Kiel Persons

Classical Magic®

Adaptable for Ages 8 – 14

Once again, history buffs will appreciate how well Marjorie connects her musical lesson presentations with historical events and figures. Marjorie sets the stage by providing the story behind the Alla Hornpipe from the Water Music. “King George I loved Handel’s music and asked him to compose special music for a royal water pageant down the Thames River in London. The king’s party enjoyed the festivities on the royal barge while Handel and his orchestra played the Water Music from a barge that floated nearby,” remarked Marjorie.

Marjorie, again, uses an interdisciplinary approach to help children and teens understand music concepts and theory.

Oh, How I Love Italy – Music, Art, and Food Seasoned with History and Geography
By Marjorie Kiel Persons

Classical Magic, Inc.

Marjorie invites students to vicariously spend the summer learning about Italy with books, art projects, Internet resources and by experiencing some delicioso Italian cuisine.. This innovative lesson plan can also be easily incorporated into a free unit study about Italy. Please see http://www.amonco.org/montessori_italy.htm for details.

To access Marjorie’s free lesson plan and links to other resources, please visit http://www.amonco.org/summer4/montessori_summer4.pdf

Autumn by Vivaldi – from The Four Seasons
By Marjorie Kiel Persons

Classical Magic®

Have you ever thought about introducing lessons involving apples, pumpkins, leaf rubbings with the study of Antonio Vivaldi and his composition, The Four Seasons? Marjorie will lead you step by step, on how to do so, plus she will even provide an autumn party theme that can be adapted for PreK – Grade 8. These creative ideas coupled with the indepth lesson plan are sure to make the musical experience come alive for students. Please see
http://www.amonco.org/creative7/montessori_fall7.pdf

Besides the free lesson planning information, you will want to spend some time on the Sing ‘n Learn website. In particular, visit Sing ‘n Learn/Classical Magic. and click on Themes to Remember. While, at the website, you will want to explore other sections as well.

For additional music and art lesson plans which compare and contrast the Renaissance and Baroque Periods, please visit AMC Montessori Part I and AMC Montessori Part II

Enjoy!

Heidi Anne Spietz
American Montessori Consulting
http://www.amonco.org