Ok, outside of learning an instrument.. what is there for middle school music? Must be secular PS.. I always used and 100% promote www.classicsforkids.com but I'm thinking that might be too young for 8th grade. (Yes.. I'm trying to make sure every single duck is in a row )
Music theory, choir, music appreciation Music Ace Deluxe is fun for music theory. It is secular, computer based, and allows you to compose songs too. I've used Connect the Thoughts Music History. Here is the one I used: http://www.currclick.com/product/27420/CTT-Music-History---Vivaldi,-Bach,-Handel-&-Mendelssohn?it=1 It is secular (as far as I could tell) and appropriate for middle school age and uses Youtube links for listening to music. Connect the Thoughts has a Music Theory course too, but I haven't used it.
This site has music, theater, and dance. (I always thought it was just music, but I happened to notice the links in the black area at the top just now.) http://www.artsvivants.ca/en/mus/ This site is also a bit young as you mentioned, but you could use it as a springboard: http://www.dsokids.com/ If you're looking for an actual curriculum, this would be great, but it's expensive: http://discoveringmusic.net/
I like doing in a music/art appreciation atmosphere. I use Ambleside's "layout" - hang the pictures around the house, and "force" them to listen to the classical artist throughout the month by just having it on. Jake (15) really likes all types of music and will come out and say "I don't like that song - it's kinda creepy..." or "That song is awesome - can I put it on my iPod?" Alexis (12) (7th grade) - goes with the flow. She seems more interested in the art pictures, though she REALLY loves music - I just see her gravitate towards visual items. I also have them listen to 1 piece of music per week and write about it - what they liked, didn't like etc. If they get lazy - I make them write a mini-bio on the artist or composer To make life fun though - I will throw in current music (from the last 20 years) and get opinions on that as well. Usually I will ask "Why is that song popular and not this one?"
I drooled yesterday over the discovering music program.. but at that price if it's something we go with it will be in 9th grade + For the cost it will count as a high school credit...lol I really like the look of Music Ace Deluxe. I need to look at it a little more if I can find more info, but Glencoe has a textbook called rock music style.
Dana, I really thought of doing it like that, and maybe I will.. and save anything "specific" for high school credits. I do have (Ok I need to admit here I have a curriculum problem) all of the Westvon Publishing scribe books.. like all the Happy, all the History, all the Geography, all the Science... I have never used any of them... I bought them on a cheap sale with big plans and well here they sit in my computer looking pretty. Maybe it's time to use them
Dana that is the appproach I take as well. I don't have the pictures around my house but I do have the artists books and musician's bios on my coffee table at all times. The other day I found my tractor driving, deer hunting, man's man husband sitting there reading Bach's biography! I did not know what to say! So I said nothing and just smilled to myself. I also play the composers music around the house during the day and Gracie will have songs she likes and songs she says creeps her out just like Dana's son. Other than that my dd16 (although she is in ps) takes voice lessons, dance, plays the keyboard and participates in musical theater. Dd9 dances and plays keyboard. I have never used an actual curriculum so I can't help there.
I found this link one time looking for music appreciation curriuculum. It lays out a good plan that I would think would work for middle school kids. http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/musicApprHSU.html
As a classically trained musician, I actually struggled with a curriculum for our children during middle school grades. We encouraged each of them to learn the piano, but none of them had a particular aptitude for it. Our older daughter did sing in a homeschool chorale, which worked well. These were practical items. For an appreciation of music in general, our older daughter would listen to public radio for a couple of hours each week - specifically to 'Adventures in Good Music' with the late Karl Haas. While sometimes boring, they would at other times really bring music to life. I believe it's possible to access some of these recordings online. If you're willing to spend money, I'd recommend Professor Carol. I've met the lady, and she is really passionate about classical music. That passion is quite evident in her DVD-based course. PS - I see that someone already recommended Prof Carol's course: one Texan recommending another!
We play different types of music the house constantly. We're addicted to Pandora and have lots of different stations. For music appreciation we really enjoy this site: https://secure.classicalarchives.com/membership/signup.html It has bios of the composers and timelines by era, etc.
Thanks everyone, I think we will just do a classical composer study.. I think I will follow the list on simplycharlottemason.com with the Littles and Garrett together, They will all listen to the classicsforkids site and the arts alive site, and I will have Garrett try to find a book to read on to the Littles on each composer. He will also have to do a notebook page on each one.... that is if he comes home hahaha.
