Composer Study: focusing on the Orchestra with Homeschool in the Woods

Nathan enjoys music and learning about a variety of instruments so when the opportunity arose to review Homeschool in the Woods' Activity Pack  Hands on History Composers, I decided it would a good way for him to get an overview of a variety of composers and instruments.

What is an Activity Pak? Homeschool in the Woods sells an Activity Pak that contains a variety of Lapbooking components focusing on a single subject matter, in this case 42 composers.
What is included in the Activity Pak?  The Composers pak includes: a Keyboard Vocabulary activity , the Orchestra a file folder activity with 19 pockets and cards for the various instruments and orchestra arrangements over 4 musical eras, Composer cards: a set of cards that can be used a flash cards covering 42 composers, a collection of musical appreciation sheets that can be used while listening to the included 29 pieces of music in MP3 format, a set of Music with purpose activities focusing on several pieces of music, along with several other lapbook activities.
What format does the Pak come in? The pak comes in either a download or CD format and is a zipped file. Once the file is unzipped , each component has a folder with individual pdf files. Each pdf file is a single page with the exception of the instructions for each component.
How much does the Pak cost? The download version is $18.95 and the CD version is $19.95
How did we use the Pak? Nathan and I went through and selected several of the activities that he would like and set to working through them. He enjoyed learning about the various orchestra instruments, although he struggled with the mini pockets we had to fold.  We also worked through the timeline and talked about each composer as we placed him (or her) on our timeline. We also listened to the MP3 files and talked about each piece of music. Nathan pointed to the various composers on the timeline as we listened to the music selections.  Since there isn't a written curriculum or reading list with the Pak, we pulled from our ChildCraft books, encyclopedias, and a few books from our homeschool co-op library.  This was another good opportunity to practice looking up information in the encyclopedia (a little old fashion, but when you have a wonderful old set that includes all the information needed might as well use it)
I also found other pieces of music in my CD collection to listen to as we worked through the various projects.
While Nathan enjoyed the one on one time with Mommy working on the project, I was frustrated with some elements of the Pak. Each page was a separate pdf file making printing a very long process as I had to open each file, print it, close the file, and open the next time.  Since this is an activity pack I had to spend a lot of time looking for things to read about each era, each composer, and the various pieces of music that we were listening to.. I spent more time looking for resources to read and have ready then we spent on the activities.
Nathan's favorite composer ironically was Handel. We actually got out my CD of the Mormon Tabernacle signing the Messiah and listened to it. I then got out my hardbound book of the score and we talked about the music and some of the theory involved in it. We looked at the vocal parts and the various orchestral parts.
Overall Nathan enjoyed the product and the lessons he learned. He has already created a new playlist in iTunes of just classical music, gotta love that!
While I wasn't overly thrilled with the product, I am glad he enjoyed it and that it inspired him. I will continue to offer him lapbooking projects for subjects he enjoys, but will make sure they are full products rather than just activities only. I will also continue to use our existing programs.
We were not the only ones to review this product, check out what other crewmates thought of the various products reviewed by the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the button below.

Adventus MusIQ : A fun Computer based Piano and Music Teacher

My boys love music, at least learning music and trying new things, so when the opportunity arose to review Adventus MusIQ Homeschool program I was excited and so were the boys.  This computer based piano lesson program is available for the whole family and can be purchased as a monthly subscription for $10.95 a month.  You may also purchase a midi keyboard from Adventus to use with the program if you don't already have one. 

We already have an older midi keyboard so we purchased a USB midi adapter plug to connect our keyboard to the program. I would recommend purchasing a new keyboard unless you are sure your keyboard will connect to your computer and is recognized. We had several technical issues going into the project as I have an older Yamaha midi keyboard. After several calls to various tech support numbers we finally got the correct drivers and set up to work with the program.

My boys were eager to start the program and learn as much as they could, so they were willing to help get the office set up with their computer and a spot of the keyboard.  We started with the Children's Music Journey Volume 1  with both boys. I was impressed with how quickly the program started into the keyboard use, within the first lesson the program was having the kids work on the keyboard. The graphics were engaging and the characters voices fun and ear pleasing. Both boys enjoyed the composers as the characters. With a variety of games to play, they found something to reinforce what they were learning and still have fun. While we slowed down a bit with music as the weather took us outside finally, they are still asking to work on 'Music Journey' as they call it. I asked each of the boys what their favorite game was and got the same answer (they don't usually agree on much) , Falling Leaves was their favorite, a play the note game. I thought they were actually all really fun. I set myself up an account so I could get to know the program a bit better as the boys were using it.  Sure wish there had been something like this when I was learning to read music and play the piano. 

The above video from their website does an awesome job of showing you around the program. There are several other YouTube videos available showing various parts of the program as examples, I actually went through most of them when we were considering this program. It gave me some helpful things to consider before we jumped in. 
The program is colorful , for some this can be a little too much, but this time around both my boys found it very inviting. I had been struggling with how to teach my boys piano and music reading and have been very happy with this program. I am even shopping for a newer keyboard to replace ours so the boys don't have to deal with the technical issues that pop up every so often. With 3 volumes I know the boys will have a lot of music learning ahead of them. We may even look to the next program from Adventus to continue their music education.
You don't have to take my opinion only, other members of the Schoolhousereview crew reviewed this program as well as share their thoughts HERE

a little Bach in training thanks to Kinderbach! #hsreviews

While enjoying the transition into the fall season and the routine of school, we were blessed to review Kinderbach  again this year. Nathan was the most excited as he wants to learn more about music and playing. It was nice to pick up where we left off earlier this year and continue our musical journey with Dodi and the gang thanks to Miss Kari's fun friends. 

This time around the music got a little harder and the fun and learning just that much greater. The songs were recognizable tunes that Nathan had heard before. The worksheets and activities made their way into this binder, we even revisited a couple of the early worksheets to refresh our memories. 

Kinderbach is an amazing online music education program that teaches younger students to play simple tunes and become comfortable on the keyboard while incorporating fun characters and slideshow style presentations. Kinderbach offers an online subscription program that retails for $19.99 a month when paid monthly or annually for $95.88 when paid once (costs out at $7.99 a month).

I love that the program teaches note recognition along with basic theory at a young age to create a strong foundation in music education that can grow with the child.  The colorful environment is very engaging for children and even parents can enjoy it. 

I still feel this program is a value for families looking to incorporate music into their early childhood and elementary programs. 

While we reviewed the online program, there is also an iPad app that makes the program more portable. Nathan is looking forward to continuing our journey for a few more months with Kinderbach.

You can also connect with Kinderbach on Facebook  and to see what the rest of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought of the program, check out this post

disclaimer: As a member of the SchoolhouseReviewCrew, I received a copy of the above mentioned product in exchange for my honest opinion and review of the product. 

Family Music Time: Simple, Fun, and Melodic #hsreviews

unvlDad, is passionate about music and sound

Because of music I met my husband, while I was pregnant with our oldest we were both in a community choir, and for 3 years we were part of the worship team at a community church we attended; so, music has been a large part of our lives and I want to instill that in our children. Having a variety of music and music programs available to the boys is very important to me.  We don't do a formal sit down time, but tend to take our music with us on the go or outside, so I wasn't sure how the boys would respond to a sit down program like Music Together, but I'm always willing to try something.  The program is geared toward early elementary children, but I really felt like the simple melodies would be a good thing for the boys. I wanted to have a solid base to work with as they grow. The set we received included a 19 song CD and the Songbook for Teachers from Music Together and retails for $39.95.
After receiving the set and loooking it over, I decided to go at it a little differently since the boys are older. We took the CD and the book in the truck for a day trip and thouroughly enjoyed the songs and singing along. Nathan enjoyed I've been working on the Railroad and Cameron liked Obwisana the most, but they both had fun just being kids and enjoying the rhythms and catching tunes.  We have enjoyed listening to the music during play time and on short road trips. We have even taken to creating our own music makers from sticks in the back yard to dry beans in recycled Easter eggs and old spice jars.
I love the Songbook for teachers as it is full of suggestions for younger and older children as well as special needs children for instance with I've been working on the Railroad   it is recommends using a firm march or stomp to be a train for chidlren with Special needs as a way to help contain the high energy activity because of the deep pressure of the stomping,  it also suggests a "secret singer" with older children. You can add additional books about trains to create a fun extension activity.
I love that there are so many ways to incorporate music into the rest of our homeschool and life.

We try and give the boys lots of room especially where music is concerned. Nathan loves creating music and finding new ways to make music.
Did you know you can use a violin bow to play a guitar? Neither did I, but he did.  (these are from a while ago, but still to this day, he claims guitello is his creation and loves to dream up new instruments and ways to create music).

Thankfully, programs like Music Together will help encourage that passion for music in him.


Be sure to check out what the rest of the crew thought of Music Together HERE



disclaimer: As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew I received a copy of the above mentioned product for free to review and share our opinion with our readers. All opinions are that of this writer.

Kinderbach a kinder piano lesson

Mt youngest wants music and lots of it, so he was crazy excited to review Kinderbach as part of the TOS crew.

What is Kinderbach? My youngest sounded it out and came up with Kinder  Bach (although he wasn't 100% sure who or what Bach was), he really nailed the idea that this program is a kind and gentle way to introduce music to kids.  This is nothing like the piano programs I used when I was 6.  The videos are fun and encourgaing.
At times Nathan kept thinking we were watching Blue's Clues.. (a series he really loved when he was younger).  As a Mom I love when a program grabs there attention and they can tie it to a positive in their memory.
Since we are big on notebooks this year , Nathan decided he would save all his activities in a notebook.  I love the activity pages and how they are fun and directly connected to what we are watching on the videos.  Since our computer is no where near the piano or the old electric keyboard, having the notebook for his activity pages made it possible for him to play along with the activities and reteach anyone willing to try.
The activity books are downloads in pdf format so they can be saved for later and printed off as needed.


The characters in the books and videos are fun and easy to color , which for us is huge as Nathan isn't a huge a fan of coloring .
The program is available online or in DVD format. During the review process there was a lot of talk about people being able to view the online program on their iPads. Technology is an amazing tool for education.



While we reviewed the home version of the program, there is also a Classroom version for teachers.
If you have been reading my reviews you know I also talk about the costs and value of these programs.  One thing my husband and I  agree on is that you can't put a price on music education. I know for some they won't agree with that, but we both got more out of school because of music education.  Keeping that mind, I have to say this program is a value for families with young children that want to incorporate music into their school.  Prices start at around $8.00 a month for the monthly subscription to online piano lessons. The CD/DVD programs start at around $41.   I do have some awesome news for you though... Kinderbach has given us a coupon code good for 2012 on any purchase. Use code TOScrew2012 and receive 30% off any order. That is a huge deal! I love when companies are so generous!  I highly recommend this program as a great family friendly and affordable way to share music with young children.
Check out the rest of the TOS crew reviews HERE

We received a subscription to Kinderbach as a member of the TOS Homeschool review crew to provide our honest opinion of the program. No monetary compensation was received for this review.