Classics for Kids
URL: http://www.classicsforkids.com/
A couple of weeks back, as I was browsing my PLN resources, I was extremely intrigued by the source NPR: Jazz Classics. I found the source to be extremely valuable because it provided a quality podcast with excellent information and high quality musical examples. This week I discovered another source that is similar, and that I also found to be extremely valuable. As I was searching my PLN resources, I came across the site Classics for Kids (http://www.classicsforkids.com/). “Classics for Kids” is an extremely interesting website that provides a plethora of information about classical music and composers. The website includes information ranging from information about composers and their pieces to games, recordings, and even lesson plans for teachers. Despite the wealth of information available at the website, the item that I was intrigued by the most was the ability to hear the podcast “Classics for Kids.” In addition to providing a great deal of musical information, the source is the website for the radio show “Classics for Kids.” The radio show is an informational program about various classical music topics and composers. Much like Jazz Classics, “Classics for Kids” is a radio program that provides valuable information on a topic, but also supplements the discussion with high quality musical examples. The program from this week’s show featured the composer Zoltan Kodaly and folk music. It was a very creative discussion with many musical examples that kept my interest, and I think that it would be appealing to even young listeners.
As an educator, I again think that it is extremely valuable for students to hear and experience music. I think that the program “Classics for Kids provides a creative and interesting way for students to listen to music and learn information about the music in the process. With this website, an educator could have students hear podcasts about classical music. This is something students may prefer doing over just reading about a topic. For example, through this week’s “Classics for Kids” show, students could learn about Zoltan Kodaly and folk music and realize how important folk music is for many composers and people. They would also learn how recognizable folk music can be and how they probably already know many folk tunes. In addition, after hearing and learning from the podcast, the website had questions that were related to the podcast. Students could go through the questions, and the questions could also be used as a basis for a discussion or class lesson based on the topic presented in the podcast. Through all podcasts, and all the information available through the website “Classics for Kids,” there are numerous applications for the music educator. The website provides a means for students to experience and learn about music as well as explore and have fun with music.
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This is a terrific podcast. As you mention, it could be used directly with kids. I think it is also a valuable resource for teachers to develop lessons around the composers and topics covered. Beyond that, I usually learn something when listening to an episode. Like you, I highly recommend this one!
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