Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Week # 13

Beginning and ending each class in a similar way is helpful to instill routine in the children's daily lives. This is one big reason why we sing the ABC Music & Me 'Hello Song' at the beginning of every class.

Passing out the scarves is sometimes tricky business in an ABC Music & Me class.Allowing the children to ask for a certain color gives them the opportunity to be unique and independent. Although, we do not always allow them to have their way. There are times when we will simply say "You get what you get and you won't pitch a fit" :-)

Bryann carefully instructs the children to play the "high" and "low" notes on the keyboard and incorporating their "high" and "low" voices as they play.
Even the teachers get a turn sometimes, by the demand of the children. :-)
Sometimes, Bryann tells the children to close their eyes and wait for their "surprise" -each get a colorful scarf to wave as we gather for our circle dance! And sometimes, the children are unhappy with their colors. Bryann simply reminds them to "be happy with what you get..and please don't pitch a fit..." or to "please trade with someone if they wish to trade!"

Taking time to sing a silly song or hear each other sing individually is something so special to us.

"I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing."

-William James

"The only thing better than singing is more singing."
Ella Fitzgerald

Taking attendance before each class is another important part of being a Kindermusik teacher. Each week, Bryann diligently gathers the children from the playground and leads them into class, taking careful note of who is absent and present.

"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence."
Samuel Johnson















Kindermusik's Inspirational Educator Of the Year

Kindermusik’s Inspirational Educator of the Year

Posted by Kindermusik International | Filed under , , , , ,
Posted April 26, 2010

music teacher teach educator educate Ally Trotter Bryann Burgess KindermusikLast week Kindermusik International announced our list of “Maestro” educators for 2010-2011. These are the educators with the largest programs, our masterful teachers, and those doing significant outreach work in their communities. Our Maestros are a special group, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.

As well, we announced our Inspirational Educator of the Year. This year’s recipient of the award was educator Ally Trotter from Columbia, South Carolina. Ally has captured our heart with her incredible passion. Just as inspiring as Ally herself is Bryann Burgess, who Ally has taken under her wing to mentor. Ally writes of her mentorship with Bryann:

This movement began the summer of 2009, as a partnership with Kindermusik By Ally and USC's newly founded Carolina Life program. This partnership has united Carolina Life with Kindermusik by Ally, and is making all the difference in finding the stepping stones to making Bryann's dream of becoming a music teacher a reality.

Visit Ally and Bryann’s blog, Notable Accomplishments. We dare you to not be inspired by it! Trust us, it’s impossible.

Bryann had one of the most noble dreams we can think of – to teach music. Ally is helping her reach that dream. Thanks to Ally. Thanks to Bryann. Thanks to all our educators around the world who are helping make this world a better place.

You can learn more about Ally’s Kindermusik program, Kindermusik by Ally.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Week # 12 ABC Music & Me




The piano component for ABC music and Me 4-6 is especially exciting to teach. On week 12 of the Spring Semester, we practiced introducing the activity before class. Our theme for the day was "high" and "low" which was our ticket to apply our singing voices to accompany the "high" and "low" keys on the keyboard. (the roll up pianos are a hit!)

In this clip, you will see Bryann leading one of our students in the activity. Notice how she also allows time for the student to also explore on her own.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Play Group (Continued)



A special thanks to Kindermusik Director Helen Peterson for posting such a great instructional video on Dover's Dream on the Cafe. This circle dance was perfect for this group and everyone really enjoyed being apart of it!

Parental involvement is such a special element in a Kindermusik class. And I think the parents in this demo were able to witness the value of being together in a class with other children, making music and memories together.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Play Group Demo at Family Connection


We were invited to be apart of a Play Group at the Family Connection, which is a wonderful organization that provides a network of support and a variety events for special needs children. www.familyconnectionsc.org


Everyone enjoyed making music together during our Village Demo.

SC Hopes and Dreams Conference 2010

Hi Everyone,

On March 20th, 2010 Bryann and I volunteered for the Annual Hopes and Dreams Conference for South Carolina families with children who have special needs. What an experience it was to reach out to the children and their siblings who are apart of this program. We enjoyed a memorable time with the children as we led them in some fun Kindermusik activities during while their parents were attending the conference.

Everyone enjoyed time with the giant parachute. -always a big hit!
We all joined in for a circle dance to 'Wheels on the Bus' and even played "popcorn" with balls, balloons and even some of the light weight musical instruments.


Making Memories with the children singing a familiar tune with the guitar.


This is a model of the Family Time classroom as we included all ages and their caregivers (in this case, volunteers)

During the clip below, you will see us all singing joyfully to 'Old McDonald'. Watch the little boy in the yellow and blue stripped shirt. You will notice that he comes up to me and feels comfortable enough to sit right by my side and strum to the beat of the song.

What an extraordinary moment...a child enjoying the moments of a Kindermusik class, feeling completely uninhibited to make music with us in his own very special way. To encourage this type of reaction is true for ALL educators of all class sizes and all students, not just special needs classrooms.

As Kindermusik educators, our goal is to encourage the children to make music in their own way and in their own time. The benefits seen from this principle are remarkable, especially in a classroom dynamic such as this demo.

Music is indeed heard, felt and expressed by ALL.