Jukebox

Children love music. They can sing along, dance and jiggle, tap their feet, hum, sway and simply listen to the many types of music around us. Music allows freedom of expression and creativity, but most of all encourages children to have fun.

We have designed this great activity for children to explore their musical side. It is also a great teaching resource in the room as it can be used to support other group activities.

How to play this game

The screen has three main areas. Play list, selection area and right side toolbar.

The play list shows twenty-four pictures, each representing a different song. More choices can be found by clicking the green arrows above and below the play list.

Icons are present in the lower right corner of the pictures to help with the selection process. Songs are grouped into four main categories.

	Dance
	Relaxation
	Songs/Music for sing-along
	Orchestral
	Instrumental

The longer musical pieces have a time indicator included on the picture.

At the bottom of the screen is the selection area. Songs can be dragged into and out of this area. Their order can also be rearranged at any time. Clicking on the red X to the left of this area will remove all the selected songs.

To play the selected songs, click on the green forward arrow button at the bottom of the toolbar. Each song will now play in a continuous loop in the chosen order. The toolbar now has a green backward arrow button, which will take you back to the first selection screen. Below this is a gold coloured pause button.

Volume is controlled on either screen via the slider on the toolbar. Click where you want the slider to be placed or click and drag it into place. If you are using touch screen technology the first method is recommended.

Note that the volume is also affected by the system volume settings. You may also need to adjust the volume up or down using the computer's volume buttons.

To exit, click on the small hand at the top of the toolbar.

Related Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

Developmental skills

Musical appreciation

Creativity

Listening

Memory

Recognition and use of computer icons

Decision-making

Toolbar use

Navigation

Teaching tips

Children will have lots of fun with this activity. They will listen to different songs and enjoy moving them around to create different play lists.

Teachers can use this activity as a useful resource within the classroom. Here are some suggestions.
• Use the relaxation music for quiet or sleep times.
• Have wriggle and jump group sessions with the dance tunes, filling the selection area with six different ones. Ask the children to move in a different way every time the music changes. This can also be played with children holding hands in a circle and walking around in one direction. When the music changes, instruct the children to change direction.
• Talk about children's feelings with the various musical pieces. Does it make them feel happy, sad, peaceful, slow, light, giggly, active, graceful, jumpy?
• Play "Stop and Go". Ask the children to move to the music in any way they like, but when you stop the music they must freeze. This involves listening skills and gross motor control.
• Play along with some musical instruments. They don't have to be formal instruments. Items such as spoons, bowls, boxes, rattles, pots and pans, lids and rice shakers (see below) can all make great sounds. Experiment with different rhythms and volume.
• Have a group sing-along to the shorter, fun songs. Some have words and others are instrumental.

What is an "icon"?

The word "icon" has a few different meanings. For IT purposes it can be defined as a small pictogram on a computer display representing an instruction or option. A pictogram is a simple, pictorial, representational symbol. Icons make computers use easier and have been in use since the 1970's.

In our Jukebox activity we use icons to indicate a grouping of the musical pieces. This makes selection easier as it gives an idea of content without requiring written titles.

How to make a shaker.

Partially fill empty plastic containers with different materials such as rice, sand, coins, marbles or dried pasta. Seal the lid with adhesive tape. Paste some paper around the outside and have fun decorating your musical instrument.

Music Credits

soundjay.com
musicalrelaxation.com
partnersinrhyme.com
kidsmusicweb.com