This year, our I Love to Read Month theme is all about SPACE! This is so exciting because it is the perfect opportunity to incorporate John Williams, Gustav Holst and even NASA! The added bonus is that this also provides the opportunity for cross-curricular teaching. Here are our favorite ways to incoporate space into elementary music. But First, a Movement Break Listen to “Mars” while you run through space! The Planets, the Science, the Music It is so much fun to teach cross-curricularly. Our teachers are currently teaching about light frequencies in science and how eyes percieve the waves. Music is the best place to talk about sound frequencies and how ears percieve those waves. There are a series of videos on YouTube about planets and their vibrations. It’s fun to predict and hear what is actually happening. With upper elementary, compare the sounds of the vibrations to Holst’s “Planets” Suite. For more in-depth space lessons, click here. Star Wars in Music Most students have heard or encountered Star Wars. It can be a little daunting showing the movie to 6-year olds (which, please don’t do) but there are so many other things that can be done with even just the familiarity of it. Below are our favorite videos to watch. John Williams conducts “Empire Strikes Back” with storm trooper guests. Discuss who John Williams is (if you haven’t watched the documentary, you should!) and other projects he’s worked on; Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Indianna Jones, the Olympics theme. . . And another fun parody of Star Wars from the Piano Guys. . . Color-By-Rhythm Space And while you’re listening to the “Planets”, here are some color-by-rhythm activities! This is the perfect activity for your sub tub or centers when you are using space in elementary music! Click the pic for your own copy!