November 6 – John Philip Sousa’s birthday – John Philip Sousa was born in 1854 and is famous for composing marches – classic American patriotic music. Make a marching band with the children and have a parade. Children love to make noise, so you don’t need fancy instruments. Try two pot lids as cymbals, a stick and an empty cardboard or plastic container as a drum. Sandpaper rubbed together makes a great noise too! Homemade flags or paper hats would dress up your parade even more!  Go to the library and get a recording of one of Sousa’s famous pieces and play it while the children are marching.  Is their a musician from your country who is famous for his marching music?