Learning Based on Books – Goodnight Moon!

I chose ‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown for my lesson over a children’s book.

SINGING – Sing “Hey Diddle Diddle” nursery rhyme.

LISTENING – “Moon Dance” by Van Morrison or Michael Bublé

Van Morrison – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFxGBB4UGU

Michael Bublé – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABxlQkIOfmA

INSTRUMENTS – Each student will get to use hand drums. We’ll start off by echoing the teacher to establish a pattern. Then each of the students will take turns improvising their own drum beat.

Here is a video of a ton of drums being used for a moon dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo1dVpdc4Rw

CREATE – Explain to the students that the moon has a big affect on the our oceans and their currents and that some scientists believe that the moon affects humans in the same way making us act silly during the full moon. Students will create a Full Moon Mask from construction paper and other silly materials to express the silliest version of themselves!!!

RHYTHM – Compare the rhythmic stanzas on each page of ‘Goodnight Moon’ using Boom Whackers to emulate rhythmic phrases. A bonus would be to only use the notes in a major chord so as to ease the listening on the teachers ears. 🙂

MOVEMENT – Moon Dance!!! Students will dance a Moon Dance together while wearing their Moon Dance Masks! All students will be encouraged to act as silly as possible!!!

CROSS-CURRICULAR INFLUENCES: English, Math, History, Science.