Classical Music & Composers Lapbook/Folderbook

For the past two weeks, we have been studying about Music and Composers.  It turned out to be more than I expected. My children really got into it and my daughter began her recorder lessons. When we move, we plan to begin her with piano lessons. My oldest son is interested in playing the drums. He got an unexpected surprise when my husband brought home a drum pad with the drum sticks and instructions. It wasn't too hard to teach the lessons, I play (or have played) the flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and a teeny tiny bit of the piano. I love music.

Since our curriculum had us also studying composers, I thought instead of doing a lapbook, we would do a "folderbook"- it's a mix of a lapbook with a folder. Yeah, I made the word up...I got the idea from another mom on a group list I belong to. I hot glued the lapbook to the front of a three prong folder.

I found many, many helpful resources. My favorite site was my blog friends, Jimmie Squiddo page: http://www.squidoo.com/musiclapbook
It was full of so much info and help. Our curriculum suggested we listen or watch  "Peter and the Wolf". My library had one copy and it was checked out. I finally got it, but then I read on Jimmie's page about a site that has the entire recording online that can be listened to for free! I f you plan to study classical music and want to make a lapbook- her page is the place to look.
Another wonderful site is: Classics for Kids: http://www.classicsforkids.com/
We would listen to the lessons about composers and the kids would do a short report from the info they heard. They have print outs about each composer that includes games. While my older ones were working, my middle son had fun at the site playing interactive games that helped him to identify notes, keep rhythm, and compose his own songs.
Our coloring sheets of composers were downloaded free from: http://www.notebookingpages.com/index.php?page=Free-Art-Music-Notebooking-Pages
Free lapbook booklets at HomeSchool Helper: www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks/orchestra.htm
Music worksheets at Enchanted Learning: www.enchanted learning.com
For the orchestras by periods-Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids website: www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/musicroom.asp