Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Patriotic Freebies!

5/19/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
With Memorial Day coming up, and July 4th just around the corner, it is always nice to have a few patriotic activities on hand to celebrate.
​
Today I am sharing a few free patriotic activities that you can use with your students all summer long!

Keep reading to check them out...


Read More
0 Comments

A Patriotic Freebie!

6/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

In honor of Independence Day, today I am sharing a patriotic freebie--an elementary version of the "Star-Spangled Banner," including lyrics. Get your free copy HERE!

Looking for more patriotic songs? This arrangement is part of my "Patriotic American Songs" collection, available HERE.

Wishing all who celebrate a safe and happy 4th of July!

0 Comments

Easy Patriotic Songbook!

6/24/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
For those of us in the United States, Independence Day is just around the corner! This collection is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday with your elementary students.

This mini-book contains 5 famous patriotic songs, including lyrics, arranged at the elementary level. The last page of the book features historical background about each piece in the collection.

You can check out sample pages and listen to each piece HERE, or by clicking on the cover. Happy Independence Day!

0 Comments

Patriotic Teaching Resources

6/27/2017

0 Comments

 
Since next week marks the Fourth of July holiday here in the U.S., I thought it might be a good time to compile a list of all of the patriotic-themed teaching resources I have available for free here on my website! 

Whether you are planning a summer group class, or just looking for fun activities for this laid-back time of the year, hopefully you can find some ideas that you can use with your students!


  • Patriotic Group Class Lesson Plan : I do some variation on this lesson plan with my students each summer, and it is always lots of fun! We learn about an American composer, listen to a famous patriotic piece for orchestra, and play an ensemble piece.

  • ​Patriotic Name That Tune : Great for group classes or as a private lesson activity! This packet contains 3 levels of patriotic song excerpts for sight-reading and ear training fun.

  • ​Patriotic Ear Training Challenge : This worksheet walks students through the process of playing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" by ear.

  • The Star-Spangled Banner​ : An elementary piano solo version of the American national anthem, including lyrics!

You can find all of my free teaching resources HERE. Wishing all of my American colleagues a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday!



0 Comments

A Patriotic Group Class Lesson Plan

6/30/2016

0 Comments

 
I talked a bit about my experience with group classes and how I incorporate them into my studio here and here.

I thought it might be helpful to share a lesson plan from one of my most recent group classes this summer. We did an American-themed group class, in honor of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Here were our activities:
  1. Ice Breaker: Patriotic Name That Tune: Each student received a slip of paper with one line from a patriotic tune to sight-read for the class. Songs included “Star-Spangled Banner,” “Yankee Doodle,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” I was happy to find that students guessed every song correctly!
  2. Listening/Composer Activity: Scott Joplin: We learned about ragtime, the life of Scott Joplin, and listened to excerpts from his most famous rags, “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” Students were really surprised to learn the “Maple Leaf Rag” was the first piece of sheet music to sell more than one million copies. I asked them to guess how much Scott Joplin was paid for the sale of each copy. (Answer: 1 penny!)
  3. Performance Practice: Each student came prepared to play three songs for the class. We reviewed recital etiquette, and students shared a little background information about each piece they played with the group.
  4. Ensemble Playing: We worked on a duet version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” with students rotating so that each person had a chance to play both the primo and secondo parts.

Students really enjoyed this American-themed class. In past years, I have done other patriotic group classes with activities including watching a video of a performance of the “1812 Overture” (with real cannons!), learning about John Philip Sousa, and playing a trio arrangement of “Yankee Doodle.”

What do you think? Do you have any group classes planned for your students this summer?
0 Comments

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Summer
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email or contacting me HERE through my website. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2023 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.