My Many Colored Days (Grade 1, Reading and Music)

Overview: Students will create sounds to accompany My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss (or another book with lots of potential moods/sounds)

Resources: Assortment of classroom percussion instruments (could be found sounds)

Process:

• Invite the children to sit in a “story time” group on the floor.
• Place an assortment of classroom percussion instruments on the floor between teacher and students (at least one instrument per student).
• Ask the children to not touch the instruments yet. Assure them that they will get a chance to play them in a little while.
• Read My Many Colored Days with expression.
• Explain to the children that we will be adding sounds.
• Review the book page by page and invite students to brainstorm what kinds of sounds could go with the mood of each (one sound per page).
• Invite individual students to share their ideas for which sound should go with which page as you go through the book. They can demonstrate the sounds with the classroom instruments.
• Let the students choose an instrument one by one until everyone has one. Ask them to take the instrument and set it quietly on the floor.
• When everyone has an instrument, let them play it and practice the mixed up day at the end of the book. Work for a balance so that they can still hear the teacher over all of the instruments.
• Quickly and briefly review who plays on which page in the book. “Raise your hand if you play here.” “Show me what it will sound like.”
• Perform the book with everyone adding their sounds throughout in the appropriate places. It might be necessary to repeat some pages if there is confusion.
• Possible extension: Record the performance and let the children listen to it.

Standards:

• Reading: Literature Standard 1 – Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
• Reading: Literature Standard 4 – Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
• Integrated Core: Objective 3 – Develop and use skills to communicate ideas, information, and feelings. Recognize and express feelings in a variety of ways (e.g., draw, paint, tell stories, dance, sing).