Music and literature can be paired together beautifully.

As we teach our children to appreciate good music, we can engage them with quality literature as well. 

This post is the first in a series of music and book pairings.

These quick, easy (and 100% FREE) lessons will expose your children to a piece of music, a composer, and a story.

Of course, we're always here with music appreciation volumes and our SQUILT LIVE! program to help you give your children MORE, as well.

Read the Story - John Philip Duck

This is a delightful story that immediately makes you want to turn on that march music. What a perfect way to learn about The March King, John Philip Sousa.

"Edward loves his pet duck more than anything. He raised it from a baby, and now it follows him everywhere - even to the big fancy hotel in Memphis where he works with his father. Everyone at the Peabody loves to watch that little duck do tricks; why, it can even waddle up and down in time to a John Philip Sousa march, which is why Edward decides to name it John Philip.

But one day the hotel owner finds John Philip in his lobby fountain and he is NOT amused. Until Edward has an idea. What if he can train a bevy of ducks to march along behind him, swim in the fountain all day, and then march out every evening? If Edward can do that, the owner tells him, he and John Philip will have a permanent place at the Peabody. But can it really be done?"

(via Amazon)

Learn More About The Washington Post March

Watch the following video with your children - it uses the first section of the music to give some interesting facts about the march.

Watch this United States Air Force Band perform the entire march. 

Can you move around the room to the beat?

Maybe you have drums or other rhythm instruments to use to respond to the beat?

This isn't "sit still and listen" music - it's is MOVEMENT music!

Draw What You Hear

Give your children the Draw What You Hear Sheet from this listening packet. Have them listen to the music and draw whatever comes to their minds. 

Learn More About John Philip Sousa

Use the following links to learn more about the composer, John Philip Sousa:

• Sousa at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
• Classics for Kids Show: John Philip Sousa
• John Philip Sousa: A Capitol Fourth

Learn EVEN MORE: Join SQUILT LIVE!

The Washington Post March is a lesson in our SQUILT LIVE! archives.

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