STARLIGHT SYMPHONY by Buffy Silverman

Nature and Music Sing Together as Buffy and I chat

If you're a nature-lover, a musician, a music-teacher, a reader, an author, a photographer you are going to want to listen in on this conversation with Buffy!  It's a perfect blend of music, nature and writing -- 3 of my favorite things. 

STARLIGHT SYMPHONY by Buffy Silverman

This lyrical nonfiction picture book is a beautiful blend of nature, music and writing.  Buffy walks us through a day in nature near a body of water. She points out many of the beautiful sounds of nature and then compares each to a musical instrument in the text. She also offers excellent back matter that explores those analogies in more detail.

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

This may not be our typical PBJam, but I think it would be fun to play some nature sounds for kids and let them explore mimicking animal sounds on a variety of classroom instruments.  This is one example of a video that shares pond animal sounds.  You can check out additional music/nature connections in the YouTube playlist in the links section.

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

• Environmental sounds vs. musical sounds
• Science
  • Habitats
    • Swamp habitat
      
    • Lake habitat
    • River habitat
    • Pond habitat
      
    • • Animals
      • plants
      • Sounds
• English/Language arts
  • Sensory writing
  • Five senses vocabulary
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Rhyme
• Reading
  • Reading with expression (onomatopoeia/sound effects)
• Social Studies
  • Landforms
    • Swamps
    • Ponds
    • Lakes
    • Rivers

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
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• Using musical instruments for sound effects/matching musical instruments and animal sounds
  
  • Peter and the Wolf
    
  • Carnival of the Animals
  • What instruments could be used for other animals?
• Explore the instruments mentioned in the book and the various sounds that can be created
  • Listen to each pairing and discuss.
  • Let students imitate the sounds on the instruments that are available
  • Discuss other instrument pairings

​Writing Prompts from Tonnye
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1. Write about an experience you had near a freshwater wetland (pond, lake, river, stream, swamp). What animals did you see/hear?
2. Choose one animal from the book. Do some research and write a list of 10 interesting facts about the animal.
3. Write about an animal you see near where you live. Write a paragraph comparing their sound to a musical instrument. Which instrument? And why?
4. Write a story called "Animals Make Music."
5. Write abut your favorite instrument from the back matter. Have you ever played it? Heard it played? Why is it your favorite.
6. Write a story about a bird who could not sing. How could they do the things they do by singing in a different way.
7. The author uses a lot of onomatopoeia in the book.  Write your own story using at least 5 onomatopoeia.
8. Write about a woodpecker who gets a job with a band.
9. Choose a (fresh) wetland habitat (pond, lake, swamp, river, stream, etc.) and write a report about the plants and animals you might see there.
10. Write a story that takes place near a wetland habitat.
11. Write a letter to one of the animals telling them about the musical instrument the author compared them to.
12. Write a letter to the author telling her whether you like STARLIGHT SYMPHONY and why.
13. If you had to choose a different title for the book, what would you choose and why?
14. Write a poem about your favorite animal and the sounds they make.
15. Choose your favorite instrument.  What animal sounds would you compare it to? Why?
16. Visit a natural spot (somewhere outside in nature) and write a sensory poem about what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel.
17. Write a story about a frog who couldn't swim.

​Writing Tips from Buffy
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1. Go to the library and check out the new book shelf often. Read and reread what is being published today, especially in the area that you are aiming to write for. Type out the manuscripts that resonate with you.

2. Finish that first draft! This is advice I need to take--it's so easy to get distracted by a zillion other things and not put in the writing time. A first draft is not going to be close to perfect. But once it's down on paper, you have something you can improve.

3. Let your first draft marinate. Return to it a week later, or a month later, or three months later. You will have a fresh perspective and be able to see what is and is not working in your manuscript. 

4. Revision is your friend! Don't be afraid to dig deep and try a new approach.

5. It's easier to hear the music of your language when it is read aloud than when you are reading it in your head. Listen while someone else reads your words. Does the reader stumble in some places? Does the reader's emphasis and rhythm differ from what you imagined? Picture books are short, so aim to make every word sing.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
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YouTube playlist full of great videos about animal sounds and instruments, pond songs, pond as habitat and more!

​Pinterest board full of pond activities, music activities, and more.

PBJamz Snack

What else lives in the pond (although they are silent)?  Snails!  For this episode, I'm sharing some superfun PBJ snails perfect for a pond picnic, a lunchbox or anytime you're wanting a little slow-down PBJ time.  Take it slow and easy and have PBJ snails and enjoy listening to pond sounds or your favorite music or whatever you'd like. Find the steps here.

Guest Links and Giveaways
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Find out more about Buffy, her books, her writing and more by visiting her website.

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Amazon link to purchase (library binding)

Buffy's publisher is offering one free copy of STARLIGHT SYMPHONY to a lucky winner. To be eligible, simply leave a comment below and you'll be entered into the drawing.  Comment between Sunday 9.15.24 and Wednesday 9.25.24 (11:59 PM EST).