Back
to main music guide menu
You
can hear Jake and the Migration of the Monarch read
by the author, Dr. Crystal Ball O'Connor, adapted by Sharon Kazee
Suggested Equipment:
- Barred (Mallet) Instruments, such as Glockenspiels,
Metallophones, or Xylophones
- Claves
- Wind Chime
- Maracas or gentle shakes, like eggz
- Guiro
- Assorted colorful scarves for dancers
In
a musical story, the teacher narrates the story while students add
instrumental sounds as indicated. The teacher also mirrors the
motions of playing the instruments with the students to obtain the
desired effect for tempo, style, and dynamics appropriate to the
mood of the story. If the suggested instruments are not
available, other instruments or sounds within the classroom (such as
an actual creaking door in place of a guiro) may be
substituted. A slide whistle, for example, would be great fun
for the "up and down" parts. This is an opportunity
to be creative and bring aural imagery to the words. (Older
students might even read the text or direct the orchestra of
instruments.)
The story:
(Begin with gengle slow finger movements - or blowing - on
wind chimes.)
The sky wrapped its arms around the Carolina coast (Play a
slow upward glissando on mallet instrument.) while Momma
wrapped her arms around Jake (play a slow downward glissando on a
mallet instrument). The blue rocking chair creaked (Strum
the guiro.) on the porch where Mom and Jake rocked
back and forth, back and forth (Glissando up and down, up and
down.) A fluttering of color broke the silence (Play
gentle random notes on mallet instruments using alternating hands -
then stop for a few seconds of silence.). "Look
Jake, a butterfly." "Yes, Momma, and
more!" Jake's finger moved like the hand of a clock
pointing to two, then four, now five more - twelve butterflies
altogether. (Add random notes again, one instrument at a
time at each number stated.)
Momma's immediate thought as with dandelions, first stars, and
birthday candles was "Quick Jake, make a wish. Blow the
fuzz off the dandelion!" (Gently shake the
maracas.) From the tall grasses and sand dunes the
butterflies puffed up like dandelions seeds riding in the
wind. (Gently shake the maracas and add a gentle
glissando on the wind chime.)
Jake always closed his eyes when he made a wish. He pressed
his open hands to the sky -- "I wish my hands could reach a
butterfly cloud."
More and more butterflies appeared (Gentle playing of
random notes on mallet instruments along with the wind chime.).
Momma was joyful. This was a blessing. Snuggling Jake
under her chin Momma said, "Jake, you fill my heart like the
butterflies fill the sky. You give my heart wings. For
every butterfly I see, I'll make a wish in your name."
Butterflies flickered in the sky like daytime stars (A high
mallet instrument plays random notes gently.). Like
constellations, the butterflies took the shape of Orion the Hunter
with three bright stars to make a belt (Wind chimes, playing
individual chimes.). More butterflies became The Big
Dipper and The Great Bear (High mallet instruments and wind
chimes together.). Splashes and circles spread far and
near (Make splash and circle movements on the instruments with
mallets.).
Jake wondered aloud in a little song:
"Butterfly, Butterfly way up high,
What's it like to kiss the sky?"
(Suggestion - students who don't have instruments might
create an improvisational dance during the song, using floating,
flowing motions and colorful scarves. Remind students to find
various levels (high and low) and use the space in the room.
If a dance is added, I suggest singing the song gently, a
cappella. The song might be repeated, with one small group
moving across the room the first time, and another small group
moving across the room for the repeated time.)
If you are a teacher and would be interested in receiving the
complete instructions for the book, please e-mail us at
admin@monarchpublishers.com
and we will be happy to send them to you!
Thanks for your support!
