Disclaimer: I received this curriculum for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.
Music is a universal language that crosses cultural and socioeconomic barriers to speak directly to our hearts. A song can express the full range of human emotions from joy to sorrow, jealousy to curiosity. I can hardly imagine a world without music. Learning about different genres of music is a great way to expose kids to different cultures around the world without ever leaving home. I also believe exposure to different genres of music also expands the ears and musical abilities of budding musicians.
One of my goals this homeschool year is to incorporate more music into our daily lives as a way of tapping into all the academic benefits of music, but also to help my children continue to progress towards being well-rounded young people. Though I appreciate good music, I am not a musician. I’ve worried that my lack of formal music training would hinder my ability to educate my kids musically, but homeschool music curricula like Thistles and Biscuits: Living Harmonies allow me and my kids to go on a musical journey together.
Thistles and Biscuits make extremely affordable multicultural language, nature, and intercultural studies that can be used in group classroom settings or in your homeschool. Living Harmonies is a year-long multicultural music appreciation curriculum. The materials in this curriculum are easily purchased and available to download to your computer.
What We Love About Thistles and Biscuits: Living Harmonies
Living Harmonies features a student workbook that can be printed and bound. It provides plenty of space for kids to record their thoughts on the music they explore, engaging questions that foster critical thinking and critical listening, and colorful graphics that make the workbook aesthetically pleasing without using up all the color ink in your printer.
Living Harmonies also come with colorful cards that can be laminated and used repeatedly throughout the year as children discover new music and identify the instruments associated with the genre. I particularly love these beautifully illustrated cards because they feature unusual instruments. They provide opportunities to discuss the instrument and the heritage and cultural significance surrounding it.
One of our favorite chapters was the study of jazz music. Being born and raised in South Louisiana, only an hour away from the birthplace of jazz music (New Orleans), I was excited to introduce my kids to jazz music and discuss the history of the genre along with the city which birthed such rich music.
The Takeaway
Thistles and Biscuits: Living Harmonies is an excellent music appreciation curriculum that will significantly expose young minds to the different music and cultures worldwide.
Music, like food, is best enjoyed with a group of friends which is why I think this curriculum makes an excellent homeschool co-op class. Students will be engaged with the music, history, and cultural influences. Plus, a homeschool co-op parent will find it easy to make copies for a class of students each week as this curriculum comes as a download.
Check out what my fellow squad members are saying about Thistles and Biscuits: Living Harmonies!
