Transform Your Homeschool with Quick and Easy Enrichment Studies Sound Bites (E50)

Today we’re diving into a topic that has been creating a lot of buzz in the homeschool community: Enrichment Studies Sound Bites. What are they, and how can they transform your homeschool experience? Grab your coffee or tea, and let’s explore this exciting tool together.

An Enrichment Studies Story

Before we get into today’s topic, let me tell a quick story.  Once upon a time, there was a homeschooling mom with a bunch of little children who liked to imagine herself as the sort of mom who would have her children listening to classical music and learning about composers on a regular basis. But by the time the math and reading and science stuff was bought, the budget was spent, and the music curriculum never got ordered.

It didn’t really matter, though, because the day-to-day busy-ness of life homeschooling never would have allowed for one more thing anyhow! No sirree. All of those reading lessons and math pages and science experiments filled the days quite nicely, thank you very much.

And the years rolled by and the music never happened, and the mom wondered what she could do to break the cycle and make time for the things she truly wanted to add in.

Then she got a great idea that wouldn’t cost very much and could work into her busy schedule without any planning or pre-work! And that’s how Enrichment Studies’ Composer Collections (which later turned into Sound Bites) were born!

Created By Erica

That was a story about Erica Johns Teachey, who created all the Enrichment Studies resources. Way back many, many years ago, after I was already homeschooling, but before Music in Our Homeschool was born, I came across Enrichment Studies. It was a website filled with music and art resources to help homeschoolers include those enriching subjects in their homeschool, and they were fun, extremely easy to use, and, of course, very enriching!

Erica and I soon became friends. She had a passion for enrichment in the homeschool. Enrichment Studies augment our children’s education, helping us develop creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation in our children for the world around them.

Erica shared how she, like many of us, dreamed of regularly incorporating classical music, composer studies, art appreciation, picture study, and other fine arts into her homeschool. But with the busy day-to-day of homeschooling, it felt impossible to fit in one more thing. That’s when she had a brilliant idea: to create affordable, easy-to-use resources that fit seamlessly into a homeschooler’s schedule.

She ran the company for 13 years, and then I acquired it last November. The Enrichment Studies resources are the perfect complement to all we have at Music in Our Homeschool. I’m especially excited to increase our art appreciation resources, and you’ll love the next couple of podcasts, which will focus specifically on Fine Art Pages and Daily Art. As the proud new owner of Enrichment Studies, I’m so excited to share these amazing resources with you and see how they will transform your homeschool!

Today, we’ll start with Sound Bites, the Enrichment Studies’ music appreciation resources.

What are Enrichment Studies Sound Bites?

Now, at this point, you might be wondering: What exactly are Sound Bites in the context of Enrichment Studies? Great question! Sound Bites are short, focused snippet lessons that make adding Enrichment Studies a cinch for busy homeschool parents. Think of them as bite-sized learning moments that can fit seamlessly into your day.

The 7 Sound Bites Courses Currently Available

There are seven different Sound Bites Courses.

Here’s a brief overview of each course:

1. Sound Bites: Baroque and Classical Era Composers
   • Explore the masterpieces of composers from the Baroque (1600-1750) and Classical (1750-1820) periods. This course provides daily lessons featuring curated videos and information about each composer, making it easy to integrate music appreciation into your routine. Enjoy 30 weeks of done-for-you music appreciation that the whole family will love! You’ll get to know major composers from Vivaldi to Beethoven, along with some additional lesser-known composers.
2. Sound Bites: Romantic and Modern Era Composers
   • Delve into the rich and diverse music of the Romantic (19th century) and Modern (20th century) eras. Each lesson introduces a composer, offering insights into their life and works, accompanied by selected pieces for listening. Enjoy 34 weeks of done-for-you music appreciation that the whole family will love! You’ll get to know major composers from Rossini to Tchaikovsky to Stravinsky, along with some additional lesser-known composers.
3. Sound Bites: Jazz Music Appreciation
   • Journey through the vibrant world of jazz, learning about influential jazz composers and musicians. This course covers the evolution of jazz and its impact on music history with engaging lessons and performances. Enjoy 30 weeks of done-for-you music appreciation that the whole family will love! You’ll get to know major composers from Louis Armstrong to Duke Ellington, along with some additional lesser-known composers and performers.
4. Sound Bites: 100 Women Composers Through the Ages
   • Celebrate the contributions of women in music from the Middle Ages to the present day. This course highlights 100 female composers, providing a comprehensive look at their achievements and compositions. Learn about more famous composers such as Clara Schumann and Amy Beach, along with many others you probably haven’t heard of!
5. Sound Bites: Meet the Orchestra
   • Introduce your children to the instruments of the orchestra in this engaging course. With 36 short daily lessons, you’ll explore the history, construction, and sounds of various instruments across different music genres.
6. Sound Bites: Classical Meets Cartoons
   • Discover the fascinating intersection of classical music and animation. Over five weeks, this course presents cartoon clips featuring classical music, along with full-length performances of the pieces, making learning fun and memorable.
7. Sound Bites: Sing a Song of America
   • Spend four weeks learning some of America’s most beloved patriotic songs: America (My Country, Tis of Thee), The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and You’re a Grand Ole Flag. Each weekday, you’ll explore the history and lyrics of a song, with opportunities to sing along and appreciate various renditions.

Each course is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing you to incorporate music appreciation into your homeschool schedule with ease. Whether you’re looking to explore different musical eras, genres, or instruments, there’s a Sound Bites course to suit your needs.

The Structure of Sound Bites Music Appreciation Courses

Let’s talk about the structure of Sound Bites and how you can easily include one of these courses in your homeschool starting tomorrow. Each Sound Bites course is designed to be simple, flexible, and engaging. Here’s how they work:

• Daily Lessons: Each course provides short, manageable lessons that can be completed in about 5-10 minutes. This makes them perfect for busy homeschoolers.
• Varied Formats: Lessons include curated videos, printable worksheets, listening guides, and optional extension activities. You can choose what works best for your family.
• Self-Paced: There’s no need to feel pressured to complete the lessons on a strict schedule. You can go through them at a pace that suits your family’s rhythm.

3 Ways to Use Enrichment Studies Sound Bites in Your Homeschool

So, how can you use Enrichment studies sound bites in your homeschool? Let’s break it down into three simple steps:

1. Identify Your Music Appreciation Goals:

The first step is to decide what you want to achieve with enrichment studies. Are you looking to expose your children to great composers or artists? Do you want to explore poetry or delve into nature studies? Setting clear goals will help you choose the right sound bites.

For example, if you want to introduce your kids to classical music, you might focus on learning about one composer each week. Maybe you’ll listen to a piece by Mozart or Beethoven and discuss what makes their music unique. The same principle applies to art appreciation or any other enrichment subject.

2. Incorporate Sound Bites into Your Routine:

The beauty of sound bites is that they’re short and flexible. You can integrate them into your morning basket, use them as a transition activity between subjects, or even save them for car rides.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re studying poetry. Choose a single poem to read aloud. Spend just five minutes discussing the imagery, rhythm, or meaning. That’s it! You’ve successfully incorporated a sound bite into your day.

For music, you could play a two-minute snippet of a classical piece during breakfast and ask your kids to describe how it makes them feel. Small moments like these add up to big impacts over time.

3. Use Available Resources:

You don’t have to create these sound bites from scratch. There are plenty of resources available to make this process easy. For example, at Music in Our Homeschool, we provide curated playlists, mini-lessons, and even printables that serve as ready-made sound bites for music appreciation.

For nature studies, you might find short videos or books that highlight specific plants, animals, or ecosystems. Art flashcards or online museum tours can be perfect for quick art appreciation lessons. Remember, the goal is to keep it simple and engaging.

I know some of you may be thinking, “This sounds great, but I’m already overwhelmed. How do I make this happen without adding to my stress?” Believe me, I get it. Homeschooling is a big job. But here’s the thing: enrichment studies don’t have to be a big production. They’re about creating meaningful moments, not perfect ones.

Some Quick Tips for Quick Music Appreciation Wins

Here’s a quick tip: Start small. Choose just one area of enrichment studies to focus on and build from there. Maybe this week you’ll play a short piece of music each morning. Next week, you can add in a poem or an art discussion. Gradually, you’ll find that these sound bites become a natural and enjoyable part of your homeschool routine.

How to Start Tomorrow

1. Pick a Course: Choose one of the Sound Bites courses that aligns with your current homeschool goals. For example, if you’re studying the Baroque period, start with the Baroque and Classical Era Composers course.
2. Schedule It: Decide when you’ll incorporate it into your day. Morning basket time, after lunch, or as part of your winding-down routine are great options.
3. Start Small: Begin with the first lesson. Watch a video, listen to a piece of music, or discuss the provided material. There’s no need to overcomplicate it—just enjoy the process!

Real-Life Examples

Before we wrap up, I want to share a few real-life examples from families who have successfully implemented Enrichment Studies Sound Bites.

Incorporating Sound Bites into your homeschool routine can be both seamless and impactful. Here are some real-life examples from fellow homeschoolers who have successfully integrated these resources:

• Morning Routine Enrichment:
  • Dorothy shares, “Sound Bites is our breakfast activity each morning, and my 2 and 3-year-olds are LOVING it! Some days they want to see the videos; some days they ask to see it played on the TV… It is enriching my life as well as the kiddos! Thank you so much!”
• Family Engagement:
  • Tracy notes, “Regularly, [my children] tell me what instruments they see, discuss how pieces make them feel, discuss different features of the piece… They even tell their father about pieces that really speak to them at night during supper, so much so that he has me forward him the videos at work so he can watch before he gets home so he can join the discussions!”
• Flexible Learning Moments:
  • Bonny mentions, “We are so appreciative of the daily Sound Bites! We miss them some days, but it’s been a fantastic way for me to introduce regular doses of such intoxicating music to our days. And it calms (or enthralls) my 4 kids during those crazy (or dull) moments in life.” Home
• High School Integration:
  • Robin reflects, “It is so perfect for high school; I just play it in the morning as we are getting ready.”

Other Happy Homeschoolers

One mom told me she plays a different composer’s music during lunchtime every day. Her kids now recognize pieces by Vivaldi, Bach, and Tchaikovsky, and it only takes a few minutes. Another family incorporates poetry sound bites into their bedtime routine. They read one poem each night, and their kids look forward to it as much as storytime.

These small, consistent efforts create lasting memories and a love for the arts. And the best part? You don’t have to be an expert. You’re learning and exploring right alongside your kids.

Try Sound Bites Free Preview Lessons

• Regine Wieniawski (1879-1932) from 100 Women Composers Through the Ages
• Meet Duke Ellington from Jazz Music Appreciation
• Rossini’s William Tell Overture from Romantic and Modern Composers
• Welcome and a Corny Concerto from Classical Meets Cartoons
• Intro to Strings and Violin Day 1 from Meet the Orchestra
• Meet Johann Pachelbel and Canon in D from Baroque and Classical Composers
• History of the Song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” from Sing a Song of America

Conclusion for Enrichment Studies Sound Bites

Thank you so much for joining me today to learn about enrichment studies sound bites and how they can transform your homeschool. If you’re ready to dive in, check out the resources I’ve linked in the show notes, including free printables and lesson ideas from Music in Our Homeschool.

And remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about sharing the beauty of music, art, and creativity with your children in a way that works for your family.

Get your free ticket here: Life Skills Leadership Summit

See the YouTube Video “Discover the SIMPLE Way to Enrich Your Homeschool Experience!”

Listen to Podcast Episode 50: Transform Your Homeschool with Quick and Easy Enrichment Studies Sound Bites for Music Appreciation

Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Read the Podcast Transcript here.

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• All about “Music Appreciation: Middle Ages Thru Classical Era” high school online course
• The Most Fun and Easy Way to Learn Music Appreciation of the Romantic Era
• Revolutionize Your Homeschool with the Joy of Art and Music: Kerry Beck Reveals the Secrets to Raising Bold, Visionary Leaders