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Thanksgiving Matching Cards for Kids

No matter how old they are, children (and adults!) benefit from memory practice.

From a very practical standpoint, it is also good to have fun options for our children at this time of year. As holidays approach the likelihood of serious "school" diminishes (who's with me?).  It is wise to make games, books, and other engaging activities available to keep our kids learning during the holidays.

This memory game is SUPER cute and will provide your children with learning and fun during the Thanksgiving season. 

Thanksgiving Matching Cards for Kids

This free download includes 36 matching cards. The fall background (for the back of the cards) is also included. This is one convenient PDF file.

If you have a laminator you can laminate and keep them for years to come! 

As you can see -- they are SUPER SUPER cute!

(I also think this is a challenging set of memory cards, too)

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Add some fun Thanksgiving picture books to a basket -- along with this matching game -- and you have some activities for your kiddos during this thankful season!

Thanksgiving Picture Books for Kids

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Thanksgiving BINGO for Kids

Learn About J.S. Bach

Bach is my favorite composer. His music is the essence of beauty, organization, and spirituality.

A composer study of Bach will enrich your child in many ways. Not only will they learn about the man and his music, they will learn about the Baroque Era, geography, and much more.

THIS is why we should study composers - because they give us a window into history. Music reflects  fears, dreams, and values. Music is a window into the soul of a time period. 

And of course, giving our children the gift of beautiful music is just that -- a GIFT -- one that will keep giving for the rest of our children's lives.

Learn About JS Bach

About Johann Sebastian Bach

"Bach was born in Eisenach in 1685"

(This is a fun rhyme your children can memorize.)

When I begin a composer study with my children I always use an engaging biography as our spine. I am partial to the Opal Wheeler Composer biographies. Sebastian Bach, the Boy From Thuringia, is such a beautiful story.

Of course there are other Bach biographies -- but I love this one because young children can relate to the composer as a child themselves.

Perfect.

The Music of Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach wrote over 1,000 compositions.  In 1950 a special cataloging system was created for Bach's works, the BWV System.   (This essentially, when translated, means Bach Works Catalog.)  The works are grouped by theme, not by date composed, so a low BWV number doesn't necessarily mean it was written early in Bach's career.

Bach wrote music for chamber orchestra, harpsichord, pipe organ, and voice. He was prolific to say the least. 

The best way to expose a child to any composer's music is to first IMMERSE them in the compositions, and then to teach them how to listen discriminately (more on that in a minute!). 

I play the music in the car, while the children are working, basically everwhere.   You will be amazed at the effect beautiful music has on children.  Following are 5 of Bach's most famous works - play them for your children over an extended period of time.

Brandenburg Concertos

Sheep May Safely Graze

Toccata & Fugue in D Minor

Air on the G String

Ave Maria

 

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JS Bach: Composer Spotlight

As part of my SQUILT Music Appreciation curriculum I have written a JS Bach composer study.

In this study your children will receive biographical information, and a detailed study of three pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach.

(You can see the table of contents here.)

This study does more than scratch the surface of the music of Bach, it allows our children to dig deeply, ANALYZE the music, and develop the habit of attention needed to listen for the many details in Bach's music.

 

 

Do you study composers in your homeschool?