The Creating Music Stories modules were developed by Sandra Kirkwood for use with Indigenous and other Australian children. Further music modules are available on the Tracking the Milky Way website (http://trackingthemilkyway.com/) and Music Health Australia (www.musichealth.com.au). Gunawirra Services supported the development of the "Creating Music Stories" modules.

1. Sandra Kirkwood
MUSIC HEALTH
AUSTRALIA

2. What are your favourite places? Can you
draw pictures or show photographs about
places you have been?

3. Grevillea trees grow in Australia. Rainbow Lorikeets love to eat the sweet nectar.

4. Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of Mosman Council.

5.  What kind of animal are they imitating?
 Do you know any songs about animals, plants
or places?
Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of
Mosman Council.

6. Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of Mosman Council.

7. When we play music together,
I watch the leaders and adults
 They tell me what to do
And I watch the children
Sometimes I have to sit quietly
and wait for my turn

8.  Sometimes we get
dressed up to play
music.
 These are the
special clothes we
wear, and I do my
hair like this
Photograph of man playing didjeridu.
Courtesy Cordy Leopold.

9.  Teachers show us how to sit in a
circle for music class
 We listen to the instructions
 Some songs have actions
 Our class plays music games.

11. When we play music, sing or dance together,
we learn to co-operate with one another.
We get to know people better by playing
music and singing along with them.
We can have lots of fun if we join in with
music games and follow the instructions.
.
We can learn a lot about music by
watching and learning from adults and
those around us.

12. This presentation helps children to learn to work together to sing, dance and
take part in music stories. Learning the social skills involved with music
making is essential for becoming part of a group and understanding social
communication and appropriate behaviour. Music can be about country.
• Children are encouraged to be observant and to spend time watching adults or
musicians as they sing and play. This helps them learn how to behave.
•Teachers/parents can help the children to co-operate in a group for singing action
songs or playing musical games.
• Many social skills can be demonstrated through group music making, such as
waiting and taking turns. Keep instruments quiet when not in use.
•Children may be able to contribute to creating or telling music stories which
incorporate observation and experiences of the environment in which they live.
•Consider going on walks around the local area and observe sights and sounds that
can be included in music stories. Elders and cultural advisers may assist.
• It may be possible to personalise lessons by including words in different
languages, and photographs of family and friends making music together.
• The songs can promote caring for country and protecting environment.
Sandra Kirkwood, Music Health Australia www.musichealth.com.au
B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil 25 August, 2012