Music Appreciation in Your Homeschool
From the time my daughters were first born, I made sure to surround them with beautiful, calming music. It’s amazing how something as simple as that can set the tone in your family environment. I’d read that classical music was good for brain development so I considered it a priority. I’m no classical music expert by a long shot, but I know what I like, as the saying goes.
As they’ve grown, we’ve continued to listen to favorite classical composers. We’ve gotten to the point that we recognize many because they’ve become the background music to our lives, so to speak. It’s a soothing sound at night to fall asleep to or a cozy sound on a rainy day while reading. It helps with focus while we’re working and studying as well.
It was only natural to include learning about composers and music appreciation in our homeschool. That’s why I’m so happy to have the chance to use Music Appreciation: A Family Study from Beautiful Feet Books. It’s ideal for us because we love Beautiful Feet Books and learning with living books in general.
Music Appreciation Curriculum
Music Appreciation: A Family Study by Beautiful Feet Books is a comprehensive program designed to bring the joy and understanding of music into your home. This study covers a wide range of composers and musical periods, making it an ideal resource for homeschool families.
Music Appreciation Curriculum Includes:
- Music Appreciation Teacher Guide
- Book of Composers
- downloadable Resource Packet
- Notebook
Music is a universal language that transcends time and culture. Beautiful Feet Books offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of music through Book of Composers by Rebecca Manor. This resource is part of their comprehensive Music Appreciation pack, perfect for family study and homeschooling.
Program Overview: This curriculum spans two years, with 54 lessons designed to be completed weekly. Each lesson lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, making it flexible and manageable. The program meets state music requirements and can earn high school students two music credits.
Content and Structure: The study includes the Book of Composers by Rebecca Manor, which features over 80 composers, from ancient to contemporary times. The Teacher Guide, downloadable Resource Packet, and Notebook provide structured support and enhance the learning experience. Curated playlists allow students to listen to the music of the composers they study, deepening their appreciation and understanding.
This program not only educates but also fosters a lifelong love of music. It’s designed to engage students with stories about the composers’ lives and the historical contexts of their works. By integrating listening activities, it helps students connect more deeply with the material.
How We Use Music Appreciation Homeschool Curriculum
We love family-style learning that we can do together in our morning time. Music Appreciation is perfect for that, so that’s what we’ve been doing. We take turns reading aloud together, then do the discussion questions. We can easily incorporate our listening time that way or sometimes we do the listening time in the afternoons when we’re working on various activities like free time for reading or creative projects. We do this several days a week because that works well for us. You can adjust the pace as needed.
As always with Beautiful Feet Books, the Teacher Guide makes planning easy. Everything is laid out for you, including a suggested schedule and discussion questions. You can follow it as closely or loosely as you choose. No guesswork, yet there is flexibility and freedom. That’s the kind of balance I like to see in a curriculum.
Book of Composers
The Book of Composers takes readers on a journey through the history of Western music, spotlighting over 80 influential composers from Ziryab to Hans Zimmer. The book combines engaging narratives and biographical sketches to illuminate the lives and works of these musical legends. Students learn about the evolution of musical composition, the development of orchestras, and the various instruments that contribute to creating music.
Although the Book of Composers is certainly textbook quality with its sturdy hardcover design and glossy pages, it is not your average textbook. Beautiful Feet Books believes in living books as we do, meaning this is not dry and boring reading. The stories included in this book really bring the history and lives of composers to life for the reader. It’s enjoyable to read whether or not you use it strictly for curriculum or follow the suggested plan. In fact, my youngest daughter has picked it up to read “just for fun” on several occasions.
Another thing I appreciate about Book of Composers is that it includes women and people of color, offering a diversity that is so important to show throughout history. It’s good to read about their talents and contributions to musical movements over time. The stories are engaging and humanizing, making it easy to visualize the historical significance.
Book of Composers by Rebecca Manor is an exceptional resource for families looking to explore the rich tapestry of Western music history. It combines comprehensive content, engaging storytelling, and practical resources, making it a top choice for music education at home.
Music Appreciation: A Family Study by Beautiful Feet Books is a valuable addition to any homeschool curriculum. It offers a rich, engaging exploration of music history that is both educational and enjoyable. I can definitely recommend it!
For more information, visit Beautiful Feet Books. You can also purchase Music Appreciation: A Family Study directly on the website, as well as download the Scope and Sequence and a free sample of the Teacher Guide.
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