December 20, 2008 - Composer Study -- Haydn
We've wrapped up another composer -- Franz Joseph Haydn. This was our first time to read one of the Opal Wheeler biographies. I love these books! Joseph Haydn: The Merry Little Peasant was a delight to read. And the illustrations are adorable!
I strongly suggest the Opal Wheeler books; they are wonderful living books to introduce children to composers. Reading Haydn's biography in a narrative like this really helped us understand the composer. Then when I read the chapter from Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, a much more advanced book, we already knew the basics of his life and Sprite could easily follow the much more condensed synopsis.
I also bought the companion CD to the Wheeler biography. On it are the music snippits that are featured in the text. And even better, the CD has selected illustrations to print and color. I was shocked that Sprite wanted to color every available page! We even photocopied other illustrations from the book that were not on the CD. She has never taken to coloring books; instead she prefers blank paper. But something about this story or the quality of the illustrations made her want to color them.
We used the coloring pages and some free notebooking pages (linked here at Joseph Haydn for Children) to make a nice booklet about Haydn.
Oh, and we've started playing the Composers card game! (At $63 you don't want to buy this from Amazon! But maybe Rainbow Resource has it.) It was one I played as a child, so it brings back a lot of memories. It's a great way to become familiar with the names and faces of the major composers from the Romantic and Classical periods.
Comments
December 20, 2008 - Opal Wheeler Books
Posted by Anonymous
Have you used the study guides that go with these books? If so, are they helpful?
December 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
We love Color the Classics, have you tried it?
Tracy @ http://lighthouseacademyhs.wordpress.com
December 21, 2008 - Thanks Jimmie
Posted by Anonymous
I will be adding these resources to my Squidoo lens as well as link to your blog entry.
Thanks for sharing,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
December 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jimmie
No, I wasn't even aware that there were study guides to go along with the Wheeler books. I only have the companion CD.
No, we don't have Color the Classics. Generally Sprite dislikes coloring books, so I don't buy a lot of them. She surprised me on this one!
And, Barb, you are welcome to add the pictures (get them from Flickr) or link.
December 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana @ School For Us
How fun! We used the Wheeler book for Beethoven and we have another one to use. But, I didn't print out anything! Now, I sure wish I had! I will next time. Thanks for sharing your fun!
Dana
December 22, 2008 - Composers Card Game
Posted by amtell
Amazon has the updated version of the card game for $6.00. The product # is 1572814489
Or CBD has it for $4.99
