Black Spiders Lesson 8

I hope your child is having a great time playing their tambourine! Exploring simple rhythm instruments helps children learn to keep a steady beat, which positively impacts their development in several ways. Keeping a steady beat helps children:

• walk and run with a steady gait, pedal a bicycle, dribble a ball, use scissors and write smoothly.

• show an increase in neural responses to speech sounds and in identifying and repeating simple patterns

• increase their level of interest and engagement with music

“Tambourine Dance” is really Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s Grande Tarantelle. Like all tarantellas, the music is written with a lively 6/8 time signature. The name “tarantella” comes from a dance originating in Taranto, Italy and dates as far back as the 15th century. Many forms of the folk dance feature female dancers playing the tambourine. Its history is associated with tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that was attributed to the bite of the tarantula spider and victims believed they could be cured by frenzied dancing.

Optional home fun activity:

Listen to the song while coloring the “Tambourine Dance” Smart Moves page on page 16 in your workbook.

(Remember, these activities are optional but can be a great bonding experience to do with your child during the week.)