 |
| Warming up with the Twinkle Variations. |
After warming up by performing the Twinkle Variations and Theme in unison together, we set the violins and bows carefully out of the way and incorporated some lively movements for Allegro, Allegretto, and The Happy Farmer to help identify rhythms and changes in phrasing. We stomped, clapped, and twirled throughout the pieces and really worked up a sweat. Some phrases in music repeat, but with different endings as in The Happy Farmer; changing the motions of the body help to reinforce those slight differences. For other Suzuki teachers looking for group resources, click here for a PDF of the dance moves we used.
Everyone in this class, from age 3 through 15, is working on a piece somewhere in Suzuki Book 1. For the earliest beginners, the movement activities were previews of the pieces yet to come. The more advanced students reviewed Allegro and Allegretto, but they also got a preview of The Happy Farmer.
Here's a video of us doing the "Tiptoe Stomp" dance to Allegretto. To mute the music on the news blog, find the photo slideshow at the top of the page and click the speaker icon. :)
I think the most fun of all was when we clapped along to Allegretto with a buddy, “Pat-a-Cake” style. During the fermata, they freeze with their left hand stuck to their buddy’s left hand, which produced lots of giggles. We did this version of the movements several times, switching buddies each time so that the littlest ones had an older helper, but also so that the older helpers would have the chance to work with a peer with whom they are closer in age and can build friendships with.
Everyone was smiling and sweating by the end of group class. To paraphrase Maria Montessori, "The correctness of the educational procedure is evident in the happiness of the child.”
We ended this week’s group class by balancing a small figure (either a super hero or a fairy princess) in the crook of the left arm while students played “air violin” to remind them all to keep their elbows pointing in a nice “V” shape towards the floor. Students had to hold this position while I performed Go Tell Aunt Rhody in order to keep the figure and take it home. (My own 3 year old daughter chose a blue super hero. She loves super heroes!) I’ve found that Target’s “Dollar Spot” is a great place to find teaching aids and student rewards. I only spent $1.00 each on the bags of brightly colored plastic heroes and princesses and they will last me through several group classes, I’m sure.
