I received this music curriculum and was compensated for my time in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the free product.
When I was given the opportunity to review Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades from Zeezok I was excited to see if it would be a good fit for us. I am passionate about teaching music education to my kids, but until now I had not found a great way to really teach it well without doing a lot of legwork myself.
Zeezok Publishing has way exceeded my expectations. This is the ultimate music education program. Ever elementary age child should use it!
Music Appreciation Curriculum for Homeschoolers
The robust Music Appreciation Curriculum from Zeezok will introduce students to seven famous composters while weaving geography, history, instrument studies, music vocabulary, and so much more into each unit. This complete curriculum meets all national standards for music appreciation for Kindergarten – 6th grade. The program includes:
Great Musician Series Biographies
Students will be eager to learn about seven famous composers as they read these captivating biographies of their lives. The stories have lots of black and white illustrations that help students enter into the world of the composer they are studying. Biographies are ideal for K-2nd graders are read alouds, or 3rd-6th graders to read themselves.
Composers studied include: Paganini, Haydn, Schubert, Mozart, Bach, Handel, and Beethoven.
Music Appreciation Music CDs
There are five discs with music from the biographies and more. Each piece is professionally recorded to enhance your child’s appreciation for the classical music.
I mean, how can you learn about Mozart with out hearing Mozart’s music!
Music Appreciation Lapbook
The lapbooks are a fun, hands-on way to reinforce the music appreciation being taught. There is a lapbook for each of the seven composers studied in book 1. In each lapbook you will find not only information about the composer, but background information on the time period, instruments, and music theory. These also make a great tool for reviewing what was learned.
Music Appreciation Student Activity Book
Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades Book 1 will take one year to complete. (or two if you want to go more slowly)Each of the 7 Composer Units are divided into 4 weeks each with clear lessons and activities for each week.
The student activity book is a necessary component to the study. This is where you will find the lesson plans, background information, additional activities, and worksheets. It is in color and is non-reproducible. So if you have multiple kids in 2nd-6th grade, you will want to get a book per child. (Younger kids who do not intend to complete activities and questions will not need a separate book).
In the student activity book you will find comprehension questions, word searches, lapbook information, music vocabulary scavenger hunt, music theory, character qualities, learning about musical instruments and more. Each unit cleverly weaves in a lot of information as your student learns about the famous composer.
Optional: Music Appreciation Coloring Pages
I did not receive these so I cannot comment on personal experience. However, I can see how K-2nd graders would benefit from coloring pictures while older students are readying or completing other activities. These are great for involving the whole family.
Optional: Music Appreciation Bingo Game
Again, I did not receive a sample, but this looks like a fun way to review what you’ve learned with your homeschoolers.
Each Composer has a Chapter Story book with black & White Illustrations
Learning about Composer Franz Schubert
So know that you’ve seen the program at a glance, I wanted to share what a “typical” 4 week composer study would include. I have tried to expose my kids to a variety of famous composers since they were young. But Franz Schubert was not one I had even hear of myself. While studying Franz Schubert we:- During our unit on Franz Schubert we:
- Made a web diagram map activity (Schubert was born in Lichtental, Austria)
- Learned what a Hackbrett is (musical instrument)
- Learned about Dynamics, Rhythm, Melody, and Musical Notes
- Discovered that a Lieder is a poem put to music
- Followed Musical styles from the Middle Ages through present
- Explored Apples (Did you know there are over 600 varieties of apples?!)
- Reviewed where instruments in an orchestra go
- Encouraged Character traits like: purposeful, uncomplaining, imaginative and more.
This curriculum exceeded my expectations. I dare say this is the best music appreciation curriculum I’ve seen. It is thorough, memorable, educational, and engaging. I can’t wait for Book 2 to come out!
Buy Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades
Does this sound like a good fit your your homeschool? We sure loved it and highly recommend it. Now is the perfect time to order your own Music Appreciation Curriculum as you can save 10% on all orders Feb. 17 to March 21 with coupon code ihomeschool.
Win Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades from Zeezok!
If you go ahead and purchase a set to take advantage of the 10% discount and are chosen as the winner, Zeezok will issue a refund of the purchase price.
Note: Prize shipped only to US mailing address. Enter Feb. 17, 1:00 AM to March 20, 11:59 PM. Winner will be chosen and notified Friday, March 21.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To learn more about Zeezok and the products that they offer, be sure to connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!
