FOLK MUSIC and KIDS: IT’S A NATURAL CONNECTION

Length of programs vary: 45-90 mins.

Singing Around the World:
Linking Music and Geography
Pre-K to 6th grade

Using a wall map and globe, and various instruments from around the globe, students visit countries on five continents by identifying countries on the map and singing songs in native languages. Program concludes with students singing a song in round and one in sign language.

Folk Instruments of East Africa
Pre-K to 12th grade

Students are introduced to the culture of East Africa through folk instruments collected by Anna during her 1996 trip to Kenya and Zanzibar. In addition to playing traditional instruments and singing songs in Kiswahili, the students get a hands-on look at some everyday items and currency used by East Africans. Related lessons plans, age-appropriate books and supplemental materials are available to classroom teachers for pre-workshop preparation.

Singing Storybooks
Pre-K to 3rd grade

Using picture books based on traditional folk and popular children’s songs, younger readers read-along with Anna as they sing the stories together. Included are songs by popular children’s entertainers and illustrators along with some samples of student-made books.

A History of Folk Music Through Its Instruments
3rd to 12th grade

Using traditional and home-made folk instruments and traditional folk songs, students are introduced to the concept of the diffusion of music across the continent. Students are encouraged to participate and try-out various instruments: mountain dulcimer, banjo, jug, steel drum, spoons, jaw harp, and more.

Linking Music and Poetry
3rd to 12th grade

Younger students are introduced to rhyme and rhythm through traditional songs and are able to write verses to songs introduced in the class. Using songs by both traditional and more contemporary artists, Anna introduces older students to various techniques for combining music and poetry. As a group, students choose a topic, a tune to piggy-back on, write verses, and perform their song.

Sing Along, Dance Along, Play Along
Early Childhood to Kindergarten

Children sing, dance, and act out traditional folk and play party songs: A completely interactive workshop experience. Parent participation is encouraged with the very young. Play songs include both fine and gross-motor skills along with songs to encourage use of the children’s imaginations.

Miss Anna’s Music Class
Birth to age 3

Very young children along with a parent or other caregiver will love to sing, dance, and move along with Anna in this fully interactive program. This class is an infant/toddler version of Sing Along, Dance Along, Play Along, listed above. 30-45 minutes. Audio version available, Fall 2000! Classes are offered on an on-going basis through World Folk Music Company (773-779-7055 or www.worldfolkmusic.com) in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood or through the
Blue Island Park District (708-385-3304).

Other programs include:
Instrument-making Workshops,
Dia De Los Muertos,
Fun With Music,
Earth Day in Stories and Song (Pre-K to 3rd grade),
Road Trip USA,
Hootenanny with Anna.

Contact information: 708-389-7957 or 630-660-1156 AnnaStange@yahoo.com