Music Together {Review}

The kids and I really love to listen to music and dance around.  I really thought that getting to review Music Together would be lots of fun, and boy was I right! 

Music Together is an internationally know early childhood music and movement program for children up to 7 years old and the adults who love them!

Music Together sent us their Family Favorites Songbook for Teachers, as well as the Family Favorites CD to review for the TOS Crew.  The first thing we did was listen to the Family Favorites CD.  From the beginning one thing was certain, they had come up with a perfect name for this CD.  The songs on the CD were lots of fun and quickly became favorites for us too! 

The songs included on the Family Favorites CD are:

1. Hello Song
2. Biddy Biddy
3. Splishing and Splashing
4. Ridin' in the Car
5. Stick Tune
6. She Sells Sea Shells
7. Playin' in the Kitchen
8. Palo, Palo
9. John the Rabbit
10. Spin and Stop
11. Mississippi Cats
12. One Little Owl
13. Goin' for Coffee
14. Obwisana
15. I've Been Working on the Railroad
16. Dancing with Teddy
17. Allee Galloo
18. May All Children
19. Goodbye, So Long, Farewell

You can listen to samples of the songs here.

The kids really enjoy listening to these songs.  This is a great CD to play in the car or when during chore time, it can really get them all moving!

The Teacher Songbook added a whole other level of fun.  The book starts off explaining the philosophy of Music Together.  Then I read about using different instruments, and the games and activities that they suggest.

The next section of the song book takes each song and gives suggested activities and instruments.  For instance, for the song I've Been Working on the Railroad they suggest sitting and singing and then going into large movement (large movement, is defined as any activity done while standing).  They suggested that we use pretend sledgehammers as we "work" on the railroad and play pretend fiddles.  Talk about lots of fun!   Other fun suggestions were to play a secret singer game and read a few books on trains. 

Another really fun song on the CD is called Biddy Biddy.  This song is lots of fun.  Little Bits (4 years old) and I had a good old time with this one.  The book suggested that we use egg shakers to the tune of the music.  We didn't have egg shakers so we just put some rice into some small plastic containers and used those instead.  They also suggest using the children's names in the song and large movement. 

I feel like the Family Favorites CD could stand alone, but the Songbook does have a lot of fun ideas.  The Songbook and CD would make a full music curriculum for children 7 and under.   The Family Favorite CD is available for $14.95, the Songbook for $29.95 or you can purchase the Songbook and CD together for $39.95.  If you use the coupon code “Schoolhouse” at checkout on the Music Together online store, you can save an additional $2 on your purchase.


Disclaimer: We received this product at no charge to us in exchange for an honest review.  

Please check out what other TOS Crew members have to say about Music Together!

 

 

Little Amadeus Mozart DVD's

The LSG Kids have been enjoying a wonderful DVD series called Little Amadeus Mozart.

This series is educational as well as entertaining.  The Little Amadeus Mozart series takes kids to a world where music abounds and helps to build an interest in classical music.  There are 13 episodes in this series, that are mixed with facts and fiction about Little Amadues Mozart, his family, friends and of course his music.

Although the series is somewhat fictional there is still lots to learn.  Kids not only learn about the music of Mozart, they will learn about the piano, woodwind, bass and string instruments, Vienna, the Imperial Court and much, much more!  This is music mixed with a bit of history and a whole lotta fun.

One of the best things about this series is that it is much more than a video series.  Along with the DVD set you get a computer cd that has coloring pages, activites and lesson plans to go along with each of the 13 episodes.  You can also print these right off of the Little Amadeus website, as well as play some great games like conduct an orcestra, identifiy instruments and memory.

The Little Amadeus series is avaiable directly through the series' creators, Naxos.  The series is available for $24.99 and includes 13 episodes from Season 1 on 4 DVD's as well as the computer cd taht includes the lesson plans and fun activites for the kids. 

We received the Little Amadeus Mozart DVD series free of charge for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed here are mine and I was not influenced by the company or the free product.

TOS Crew: Kinderbach

We were given the chance to review the Kinderbach Preschool Online Piano video lessons recently for the TOS Crew.  Kinderbach is a fun and easy way for children ages 3-8 to learn to play piano at home, either online or by DVD.  Don't Worry Mom, No Musical Background Required, I Promise! 

Kinderbach is different than most piano programs, because it teaches music through stories and games.  Each music note becomes a fun character that kids are sure to remember.  Here are the things that we liked best about Kinderbach:

• Kinderbach has 240 Lessons.  With so many lessons available, there is lots for kids to learn and keep them from getting bored.
• The Characters and Stories through out Kinderbach help kids to remember the different notes and keys that they are learning in fun way.
• The lessons have Games and Printouts for reinforcement. 
• The videos are upbeat, fun and entertaining, so much so that the kids look forward to watching them!  And ask to watch them over and over and over again.
• Kinderbach includes activities for Multiple Learning Styles, which is great since different kids learn in different ways.
• The Kindebach program is Very Affordable!!
• It can be used over and over again with all your children!!!

 
The kids really enjoyed the Kinderbach program, especially Computer Girl (7 yrs old).  She really loved the characters, specifically Dotti the Donkey.  She thought he was really cute :  )  Computer Girl actually made a donkey craft in Sunday School last Sunday and when she was getting into our van she said "Look Mom, it's Dotti."  So the program it stilling with her.  She is not playing Beethoven or Bach yet, but we're hopeful.  ;  )

There are 2 ways that your family can enjoy Kinderbach.  You can order the DVD's, which would be my preference or you can have a monthly membership.  The Activity Packages (DVD & Activities Pages) are currently $40.45 but there are also Value Packages that are available for $55.95 and up.  Online memberships are also available for $19.99 a month or for $95.88 for the year.

May I suggest that you try before you buy, Kinderbach offered a Free Online Trial. 


Please take a peek at what other Homeschool Mom's, from the TOS Crew, think about Kinderbach.

Please note that we were given the Kinderbach Online Membership for review purposes only.  The opinions stated here are my own.