One of the most adorable Amazon book reviews ever written is for Moonlight on the Magic Flute [Random House Books for Young Readers, 2009]. Victor M., a young reader, writes, "I would recommend this book to people who like the Magic Tree House series, Mozart fans, people who like Chapter books, and anyone who likes to read." The charming review captures the enduring appeal of the book, and teachers who use it in their elementary classrooms have a variety of enrichment opportunities open to them.
Summary of Moonlight on the Magic Flute
Like all Magic Tree House books, Mary Pope Osborne's protagonists Jack and Annie find themselves whisked away on adventure via a traveling tree house that transcends space and time. The tree house takes them to Vienna, Austria, where they encounter Mozart as a young prodigy. Gifted students, of course, will find special appeal and connection to young Wolfgang, who is a bit wayward when Merlin the Magician sends Jack and Annie to find him on a special mission. Jack and Annie are told they will "help bring happiness to millions of people" by finding Mozart and then helping to "put that artist on the right path to share his gifts with the world." (Moonlight on the Magic Flute, page 6.)
Music for the Classroom Related to Moonlight on the Magic Flute
Just as Jack and Annie discover Mozart and help him share his music, the classroom teacher can create centers so students can enjoy and explore Mozart. Although the Baby Einstein series has seen its reputation diminished, the Baby Mozart CDs will feel familiar to students and have easy to follow melodies. There are other, more accomplished sounding recordings that will appeal to students as well:
- The Classical Child at the Opera has three Mozart selections from the Magic Flute sung in English, which children can understand easily. The songs include: A Bird Catcher am I, Pa, Pa, Pa, Pa, and Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!. The music is available as a CD or as MP3 downloads, and is by Anastasi Mavrides.
- Heigh Ho Mozart presents the more familiar songs of Disney soundtracks in the style of classical, so students can hear a Mozart-esque blending from the soundtrack of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A similar cd is Mozart TV, which has a Mozart-esque version of the Brady Bunch theme song.
Neurosmith Toys with a Mozart Elements
Two of the greatest music toys were marketed to an audience far too young: Music Blocks and Musini. Neurosmith music blocks break up classical compositions, including Mozart's Night Music, and children have to figure out how to reorder the music. Additionally, they can use the blocks to restructure the music and have it played with other instruments and even barnyard voices. The students move from re-creating compositions to creating their own compositions. Find an early addition of the toy that accepts cartridges. The later toys, marketed under the brand of Small World Toys, are more simplistic.
The other lovely Neurosmith toy, the Musini, will have all the students in the room dancing to Mozart. The Musini plays music in response to floor vibrations, and the teacher can adjust the settings to match a variety of carpeted and non-carpeted flooring. The Musini made by Neurosmith had Mozart music; after the company name was sold, it was later sold under the name of Carlen Enterprises.
The Magic Tree House is a fun series for kids, and gifted kids will find much to delight in with Mozart, Jack and Annie. Making the classroom connection with music toys and Mozart music is truly an enrichment experience that can be done in the regular elementary classroom or the enrichment room.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
