One of my favorite ways to share music is through stories and what better place to do so than in a public library? I was recently invited by the Public Library of West Liberty Iowa to host a story and music hour featuring the book "Farmhouse" by Sophie Blackall. The story is filled with beautiful illustrations made with items the author found in a dilapidated old farmhouse on her property. She weaves a story about 12 children and their life on the family dairy farm. I found the writing and illustrations whimsical, nostalgic, and perfect for pairing with music!
The West Liberty Public Library, Iowa
When selecting music for this story I created a mix of traditional and American folk songs, rhymes, and games that tied back to the book's events and characters. After reading the book I came up with three questions to help listeners critically engage with the story. Then I centered my music selection around the questions! I used my favorite songbook, "Rise up Singing", as well as bethsnotesplus.com to find the perfect songs and activities. Below you can find my story-hour notes as well as a downloadable song sheet and a Spotify playlist for Sophie Blackall's beautiful picture book, "Farmhouse".
Happy singing!
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"Farmhouse" by Sophie Blackall
Age range: 3 - 9 yrs
Time: 40 - 50 minutes
Welcome: "Hello There!" echo song
Storytime: "Farmhouse" by Sophie Blackall
Play Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" quietly in the background while reading. I recommend using a Bluetooth speaker connected to your phone so you can easily control the volume as needed. I often read while accompanied by instrumental music that I feel suits the mood of the story. This is optional depending on your audience and resources.
Follow-up questions:
Q: How many children lived in the house? A: 12
Sing a counting song that is familiar to you to emphasize the number twelve. I chose "10 in the bed" based on the size and age of my group but there are many options out there including "When Billy was One" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee".
Q: What kind of farm did the children live on? A: Dairy Farm
Teach the rhyme "M.I.L.K." This popular rhyme originally comes from Wisconsin and is a fun and silly way to get listeners engaged with each other. Listeners use rhythmic gestures to emphasize the words "pop", "tea", and "milk" You can find a great video resource for the actions of this song at bethsnotesplus.com.
Teach listeners the song "Did You Feed My Cow?". Traditionally in the third and fourth verses of this call-and-response song the cow gets sick and dies. I changed the verses to be slightly less morbid but feel free to stick to the original version!
Q: What happens to the house after the family leaves? A: The weather and the animals all move inside and then eventually the house falls down.
Make sure you read the last page of the book where the author talks about how the farmhouse in the story was a real house on her land. The house was so broken down that it had to be bulldozed. I recommend showing students the photos in the back of the book and talking about how even though something may be gone, we can keep it alive with our stories.
Teach the song "Old House". Start by having listeners create a beat by alternating between patting their knees and clapping their hands (pat, clap, pat, clap) Then teach them the song in a call-and-response style. If you are accompanying yourself on an instrument, see if they can continue to keep time while you play and sing along.
Movement: "Ring Around the Rosie" and Freeze and Go game
End storytime with a game of "Ring Around the Rosie". Start slow to get warmed up. Then repeat the song and speed up each time until listeners are singing and moving as fast as is safe. Finally, end with a game of Freeze and Go to an instrumental music selection. For this book, I chose some fun organ music from the 1920s since an organ makes an appearance in the story.
Goodbye: "Sing Your Way Home"
Bonus Activities: "Hello Susan Brown" & "Old MacDonald"
Depending on the size of the group and the age of the listeners, add either of these songs at any point in the activities. "Hello Susan Brown" is easy to turn into a single or partnered circle song and is always a hit with children and adults.
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