The week is zipping along. Rough start for Henry on Monday but he lost computer privileges because of it and that straightened him out but good for Tuesday which went a lot better.
In the first half of this week we're all reading the Gilgamesh story. The particular version we've chosen is a three picture book series by Ludmila Zeman. Its just lovely and the kids are really enjoying it.
In history, Eleanor is covering Assyria and India this week. Henry is working on Abraham and Joseph.
I'm going to try to make Friday our arts and crafts day. It just does not seem to fit into our week at all. I'm really hoping to make pyramids this week. I'd also like for them to start art appreciation. I've got some things ordered that I think will help kick start that.
One of the things I do miss about Eleanor's old school was the music program. The teacher was just first rate and Eleanor learned a lot. A lot more than she's going to learn here because I'm just not going to invest my time into learning about it (attention Mother of the Year panel judges, I think we have a winner!) What I will do is play music in the van (I know, its like I'm some sort of tireless, living saint). I've put some items in the sidebar to show what we're listening to but they really deserve some further attention.
We're listening to two series right now. Classical Kids and Beethoven's Wig. Classical Kids contains a story about the composer laid over tracks of the composer's pieces. In 'Mozart's Magnificent Voyage' there are equal parts fantasy and history while "Beethoven Lives Upstairs' is a poignant exchange between a young boy, whose mother has rented a room to the composer, and his uncle in letters. I actually found this CD to be incredibly moving. Click on the link to listen to clips.
Beethoven's Wig is a series of silly lyrics set to classical pieces but wait the writing is so clever that the concept ends up being far less annoying than it sounds. In fact, we've listened to the first two CDs almost constantly for the past two weeks. Some of my favorites with sample lyrics for those of you familiar with the pieces:
- 'Sing Verdi Very Loud' set to 'La Donna e Mobile' from 'Rigoletto'
With a large repertoire
How do you please the crowd?
Sing Verdi very loud.
You may appear aloof
But you must raise the roof,
To keep the public wowed
Sing Verdi very loud.
Study your libretto,
Start with Rigoletto,
Raise up your falsetto,
Sing Verdi very loud!
- 'It's the Same Every Verse' to 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' from 'Peer Gynt Suite'
Its the same
Every verse,
So for better or for worse
We've 17 to go.
One by one we'll count them all,
It might seem
Off the wall
Just in case you don't recall
We've 16 more to go.
(skipping ahead)
Note that this recurring tune
Is performed
By bassoon
It will be repeated soon
14 to go!
Next the cello and the bass
Ceaselessly
Keep the pace
Just in case you lost your place
We've 13 more to go!
(more skipping)
Here's a bit more of the same
There is just one
Man to blame
Grieg is the composer's name
8 more to go!
You get the idea...there's a great one about the Viennese penchant for waltzes set to 'The Blue Danube'. Priceless.
I didn't expect my kids to like these as much as they do. Its worth a listen if you have the time.
2 Comments:
Finally got a chance to read your blog - awesome! I'm so impressed with your curriculum - when do you find the time? And I love the lyrics set to classical music - I think this will end up on my kids' (or my) Christmas wishlist. ;) Wish I could attend the Aquitane Academy...
I've heard of Beethoven's wig, but I had no idea what it was. I'm going to have to get it! You know, you can learn a lot from parody, even without being familiar with the source. I don't know if this is worth pursuing for you, but there's a character actor in a couple of the early Fred Astaire movies who often sings opera badly, provoking general mirth. I thought of him because he sings La Don e Mobile in The Gay Divorcee. Total digression now, but I love the character actors in the early Fred Astaire movies.
Post a Comment