November 2007 Activity - 12 Aussie Days of Christmas

The 12 Aussie Days of Christmas
from A Christmas Pageant
(then and now)
A Musical by Lynne Bartlett, Mark Leehy and Kevin O'Mara
Duration: 60 minutes.

The activity is a new, Aussie version of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'.

The setting is Bondi Beach (or any other Australian beach) at Christmas time.

It's a lot of fun, and, since there is a backing track, why not use it as a springboard to get your kids writing their own version?

This is an ideal item to perform at your end-of-year concert or your 'Carols by Candlelight' evening, or even your class party or graduation ceremony

... and ... the whole thing can be performed to the backing track we've provided.

AND - IT'S IN A SINGABLE KEY FOR KIDS!
Click here for more.

October 2007 Activity - O Tannenbaum

O Tannenbaum
from A Christmas Pageant
(then and now)
A Musical by Lynne Bartlett, Mark Leehy and Kevin O'Mara
Duration: 60 minutes.

We have the well-known carol sung firstly in German (O Tannenbaum) and then in English (O Christmas Tree).
There is a narration that explains the origins of the song and the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree,
as well as staging ideas for presenting the piece at your end-of-year concert or your 'Carols by Candlelight' evening ...
and ... the whole thing can be performed to the backing track we've provided.

AND - IT'S IN A SINGABLE KEY FOR KIDS!
Click here for more.

A Christmas Pageant (then and now)

New in 2007 !
A Christmas Pageant
(then and now)
A Musical by Lynne Bartlett, Mark Leehy and Kevin O'Mara
Duration: 60 minutes.

A fun-filled journey from Bethlehem to Bondi that takes the audience through the traditions of Christmas from the Nativity, through the origins of the Christmas Tree and carol singing, the legend of Good King Wenceslaus, the coming of Santa Claus ... and ending up with an Aussie celebration!

Carols and Songs: Silent Night, O, Come, All Ye faithful, We Three Kings, Away in a Manger, The First Noel, Joy to the World, Good King Wenceslaus, Jingle Bells, O, Tannenbaum/ O, Christmas Tree, Deck the Halls, The Night Before Christmas, 12 Aussie Days of Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Click here for more.

September 2007 Activity - Jan Ken Pon

September 2007
The September activity also comes from Music Room Book 4.

The activity is 'Jan Ken Pon'.

Jan Ken Pon is a traditional Japanese children's song, used in the 'hand game' of 'paper, scissors, rock'.

English speaking children will know this game well and will enjoy adding this simple song to it.

The will also enjoy a class or school 'Jan Ken Pon Championship'!

You will find the free activity by clicking here.

August 2007 Activity

August 2007
The August activity comes from

Music Room Book 4.



The activity is the Rhymers' Waltz - Working in Threes
* Students learn a ¾ body percussion rhythm pattern to use with a simple song.
* Students learn how to rhyme - using only 2 words - and use their own rhymes in the song.
There is also a simple tuned and untuned percussion arrangement for them to add to the song. and vocal and backing tracks.

You will find the free activity by clicking here.

July 2007 Activity

July 2007
The July activity comes from
Cool Cats Cross Arts Adventures Level 4.
The activity is called 'Rainforest' and it is from the ENVIRONMENT unit of LEVEL 4 (upper primary).
It is a soundscape exploring random sounds/music and creating a 'sound environment' and includes the lesson, backing track, practice track and and a recorder stylesheet.
You will find the free activity by clicking here.

Enjoy!

June 2007 Activity - Old Macdonald Played a Riff (recorder)

June 2007
The May activity comes from
COOL CATS RED HOT RECORDER COURSE, LEVEL 2

It’s a fun little piece called "Old Macdonald Played a Riff".
It’s really a rock 'n' roll version of a song the students will all recognise!

It uses the notes B, A, G. low E and low D and gives the students the chance to improvise in an easy and 'do-able' way. There is a mystery question included – and there is downloadable music and downloadable audio demo & backing tracks.

Enjoy this piece with your students!

You will find the free activity by clicking here.
- and there are other free recorder activities if you follow the links to the other recorder resources we have on offer.

May 2007 Free Activity - Heard it Before (recorder)

May 2007
The May activity comes from

COOL CATS RED HOT RECORDER COURSE, LEVEL 1


It’s a fun little piece called 'Heard it Before'.

It’s really a rock n roll version of a song the students will all recognise!
It uses the notes B, A, G and is perfect for beginners (and a little fun for the more advanced). There is a mystery question and a creative exercise also included – and there is downloadable music and downloadable audio demo & backing tracks.

Have fun!
You will find the free activity by clicking here.
- and there are other free recorder activities if you follow the links to the other recorder resources we have on offer.

April 2007 Free Activity - Mamma Don't Allow

April 2007
The April activity, Mama Don’t Allow, comes from our newest book in the MUSIC ROOM series, MUSIC ROOM BOOK 3 – Middle Primary.
Music Room is our very popular Developmental Classroom Music Program.

It is a 'tone colour' activity and uses a song called Mama Don’t Allow, which the students accompany with either classroom instruments or 'found objects'. Either way, it's really easy and heaps of fun.

Students categorise their instruments into shaking sounds, tapping sounds, scraping sounds, banging sounds and make their own 'instant orchestra'.

You will find the free activity by clicking here.
- and there are other free singing activities if you follow the links to the other
singing resources we have on offer.

March 2007 free Activity - Waltzing A Bulldog

March 2007
The March activities comes from our new publication
Start Singing Aussie Kids Songs

It's a song called Waltzing a Bulldog, a hilarious parody of Waltzing Matilda that the students will just love.
The recording is live before an audience of children and it sparkles with fun.
You will find the free activity by clicking here.

- and there are other free singing activities if you follow the links to the other singing resources we have on offer.

Advance Australia Fair (in a singable key)

Advance Australia Fair

I am sure that most of us who have had to teach our kids the Australian National Anthem have had difficulties getting the key, the sound, the tempo just right. Well we have something for you to inject new interest and excitement into your assembly ..
a fabulous current version of the National Anthem - complete with traditional didgeridu and contemporary electric guitars.
Use the backing track for assemblies!
CD contains 8 tracks, both 1 & 2 verse versions in a SINGABLE key, performed by children, both 1 & 2 verse backing tracks, demos of descant, treble, tuned & untuned percussion & guitar parts plus demo of full ensemble.
CD booklet contains photocopiable lyrics, melody and parts.

For more information and to LISTEN to an excerpt, click here

February 2007 FREE Activity - drama games

Hello again from Bushfire Press.

For those in the Southern Hemisphere, welcome back from the break.

We hope it will be a good year for you – and we also hope we can help you make it great year with the help of the many exciting resources we have on offer for you.

February Activity
The February activities comes from our new publication
The Final 40 Simple Drama Games
"Subtle Differences" and
"Vocal Scene"

You will find the activity by clicking here.

- and there are more activities if you follow the links to the other drama games resources we have on offer.

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New and Recent Releases

We have a number of new and recent releases that may interest you. They are listed on our website, but I will set out a summary here.

* MUSIC ROOM charts on CD-ROM
Ideal for DATA PROJECTION

* MUSIC ROOM Book 3
(OUR DEVELOPMENTAL CLASSROOM MUSIC PROGRAM)

* Start Singing Aussie Kids Songs
(with Paradiddle band, book with words & lead lines + CD)
14 classic songs: Along The Road To Gundagai, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Riding Through The Dandenong Ranges, Give Me A Home Among The Gum Trees - and 10 others

also
* Wally's Total Body Workout
* The FINAL 40 Simple Drama Games
* The MIKADO

www.bushfirepress.com

Podcasts - subscribe to our activity podcast.

Podcasting

Most of the free activities and lesson plans we offer include music tracks of vocals, backings and demonstrations.
You can now subscribe to our activities using iTunes or other podcasting software.
So if you are a "Poddie", why not subscribe here.

Welcome to Bushfire Press Activity Blog

We will be posting the Bushfire Press activities for you here every month.
We will also be posting any news about new releases and asking for your ideas and feedback.

Stay Tuned!