Take a peek inside…
Meet the helpers who will be leading your student through their musical adventure. Each level has a main character who uses their own special strengths to successfully draw the little learner into the world of music theory. Whether it’s the high-achieving Gracie the Goat and her excellent yoga habits getting your student through half rests and the trumpet or the lover of naps, Frankie the Flamingo, who is the smoothest guy you’ll ever meet who really practices what he teaches: a retardando styled life. Whatever workbook your student is in, they are going to learn to love music and music theory, because how can you possibly resist this endearing cast of characters?
Level 1 - Petey’s Big Adventure
As the very first book in the Animal Adventures program, Level 1 carefully and thoughtfully introduces the music staff. Students learn about the lines and spaces, the bass clef, the musical alphabet, and how to read notes on the staff. Petey the penguin teaches students how to find A, B, and C in the bass clef, as well as how to identify whole steps (compared to a fish sandwich - two slices of bread with fish in the middle!). They learn about the dynamic marking forte, quarter notes, half notes, and crescendo. Level 1 also introduces the voice as a musical instrument! The students learn about pop music, musical theatre, and classical music, how to project their voice, and how to sit, stand, and breathe properly while singing.
Level 2 - Tina Takes on the Jungle
Level 2 of Animal Adventures in Music escorts students through their first level advancement of the program! Tina the Tiger helps them easily transition from Level 1 into Level 2 by learning about half steps (Tina and Petey are buddies - just like half steps are buddy notes), the dynamic marking piano, dotted half notes, and whole notes. They continue learning bass clef notes (D, E, F, and G) and learn about decrescendo. Level 2 is also the first introduction of our trademark double-spread review pages. These pages contain diagrams and colorful, simple explanations of everything they’ve learned so far so students and parents can refer back to this page whenever they need a refresher.
And… we find out that Tina plays the guitar! Students learn about the guitar as a string instrument and we introduce the concept of an instrument diagram page. Books 2 - 10 include a double-spread instrument diagram page that explains all the parts of the instrument for students to return to as they go through the book. Students learn about the body and neck, frets and tuners, the names of the guitar strings, and the bass guitar and ukulele.
Level 3 - Lacey’s Sticky Violin
Level 3 of Animal Adventures in Music takes students through the sticky sweet world of Lacey the Lizard. Students are introduced to the treble clef and learn to find and identify A-G on the treble clef staff. They are introduced to tempo markings (andante and allegro), as well as eighth notes!
Lacey teaches students about the violin, showing them how to identify the body, neck, strings, tuners, and bow. They learn about the violin techniques of plucking and bowing and are exposed to classical and fiddling violin music.
Level 4 - Bianca and the Pesky Ants
Level 4 of Animal Adventures in Music introduces the last type of rhythm that students will learn in the program: sixteenth notes! Our young students are now exposed to an entire suite of rhythm and notes and they participate in extensive rhythm review and practice in level 4. Students also start learning about intervals, specifically seconds, thirds, and fourths. And if that isn’t enough, they also add two tempo markings to their repertoire: adagio and vivace. This level is jam-packed with information, but it’s also especially calming and beautiful. Bianca the Bee is a shy, book-loving, happy-go-lucky friend and she escorts students through this level with grace and ease.
She also introduces them to the flute! Students learn about the headjoint, body, foot, and keys, and how to make sound with the flute and hold it properly. They are exposed to classical and jazz music and take part in music appreciation exercises incorporating the tempo markings they’ve learned thus far. Level 4 expertly combines the material from previous levels to envelop students in a comprehensive world of music that just makes sense as it builds.
Level 5 - Hugo’s Missing Drumsticks
Level 5 of Animal Adventures in Music is exciting for many reasons… and not just because Hugo the Hippo is seen skateboarding off of a dock on the front cover! Students are introduced to the grand staff and finally learn how the bass clef and treble staff connect! Students learn about middle C and how to identify and draw a ledger line, brace, and bar line to create a grand staff from a treble and bass clef. And they learn how to find and identify A-G on the grand staff! This is a major accomplishment! Students also learn about staccato and legato, what they mean, and how to apply these styles to music notation by adding dots and slurs to notes.
Hugo fumbles and bumbles cooly through Level 5. He has a hard time holding onto his drumsticks, but he somehow manages to teach students about all the parts of a drum set. By the end of Level 5, students can identify the bass drum, cymbals, high-hat, snare drum, and toms on a drum set, as well as the drumsticks! They also learn about the xylophone and bongos and are exposed to rock, pop, and jazz music.
Level 6 - Wendy’s Birthday Surprise
Level 6 of Animal Adventures in Music builds on the rhythm skills that our students have been cultivating since Level 1. Students learn about bar lines, measures, and time signatures in Level 6, specifically 4/4 time. They are introduced to the concept of specific beat counts per measure and are rigorously trained on rhythm exercises using all the note types they’ve learned thus far. It may sound like a lot, but this comprehensive training program is the perfect amount of decorum for this level, considering that their animal guide is the queen of the entire ocean. Wendy the Whale is kind, regal and authoritative. She has many hobbies, loyal and adoring subjects, and even a special birthday approaching. Students are in good hands with Wendy! With her help, students also put the finishing touches on their interval training by learning fifths, sixths, sevenths, octaves, and unisons. Finally, they learn about fermatas, accent signs, and repeat signs! Phew, they’re just about ready to start writing music!
Wendy also teaches students about the saxophone, showing them how to identify the body, neck, mouthpiece, and keys. Students learn how to blow into the mouthpiece to make sound, as well as how to hold the saxophone correctly.
Level 7 - Baxter the Magnificent Magician
Level 7 of Animal Adventures in Music is literally magical. Students learn about ¾ time, and maestoso and scherzo. They learn about sharps, flats and continue their extensive training in note reading and rhythm practice. Did I mention that this level is magical? Baxter the Bat, the Level 7 guide, is a self-proclaimed magician. He has some tricks up his sleeve that are absolutely unbelievable. Seriously, you’d have to see them to believe them.
Baxter introduces students to the cello! He teaches them how to identify the body, neck, strings, pegs, and bow. Students learn about the similarities between the cello and violin, and learn about plucking, bowing, and classical music.
Level 8 - Gracie Goes for the Gold
Level 8 of Animal Adventures in Music goes and goes and goes. Gracie the Goat is a go-getter (pun narrowly avoided) and inspires students by having many intriguing hobbies, goals, and aspirations all while being a master at the trumpet. Students may or may not recognize the irony in this, as they are introduced to rests in music for the first time in this level. They learn about quarter, half, and whole rests as well as mezzo forte and mezzo piano. They are also taught how to properly draw notes on the staff, focusing on stem direction and length.
Gracie teaches the students about the bell, mouthpiece, and keys of the trumpet, showing them how to buzz into the mouthpiece to make sound and how to hold the trumpet correctly.
Level 9 - Frankie’s Smoothie Stand
Phew, don’t we deserve a break after all that? Level 9 is all about chillin’ and relaxin’. Frankie the Flamingo serves up smoothies, positive vibes, and just the right amount of encouragement and motivation. While joining Frankie on vacation, students learn about the 2/4 time signature, ritardando, accelerando, and a tempo. Students take their rhythm skills to the next level (literally) by learning how to tie notes together to combine their beats. At this point in the program, students know 8 different types of notes (and how many beats they get), 3 different time signatures, 6 different musical symbols, and how to read 21 different notes on the staff. Level 9 is all about seamlessly and effortlessly training students to combine all their music theory knowledge into a fluid understanding of music as a whole. Our students are experts at this point!
And if that isn’t enough, Frankie also teaches students about the clarinet! They learn about the bell, mouthpiece, and keys (just like the trumpet) and how to blow into the mouthpiece to make sound and hold the clarinet correctly.
Level 10 - Rex’s Clean Up Crew
In the final level of Animal Adventures in Music, Rex the Raccoon brings everyone together for the encore of the century. Students don’t actually learn any new music theory concepts in this level beyond learning how to identify the names of piano keys. They’ve learned so much thus far (roughly the equivalent of months in a college-level music theory course!), so this level is mostly spent reviewing and cementing what they already know using clever theory exercises and creative practice questions.
Rex teaches students about the piano, including how to identify every single key on an 88-key piano! Students also learn about the 2 and 3 black key groups, the damper pedal, and how to play loudly and quietly on the piano. They learn how to find A-G anywhere on the piano and even learn how to play a 5-line song. Throughout the book, the teacher will help the student put their knowledge into practice by playing simple melodies on the keyboard. By the end of the level, students will be able to play a 21-measure song on the piano, applying the musical symbols and advanced rhythms they’ve learned thus far.
This level includes a practice keyboard that students cut out from the back of the book, as well far more stickers than any other level. The end of this level also walks the student and teacher through preparation steps to host a graduation party for the student’s friends and family where the student will perform (play AND sing!) their song.
