5/29/18 There are so many fun activities going on at the end of the year: Field trips, Field Day, Class Picnics, Awards day and Graduation. We are enjoying some of our favorite games from throughout the year as we finish our final music classes. We are playing Boomwhacker games, singing games, music football and world instrument bingo. Third, Fourth and Fifth grade classes are also discussing what things they liked best about music this year. Finally, Second graders are getting a little introduction to the recorder so they will know what to expect next year in Third grade music classes.
5/22/18 Most classes are celebrating the winding down of the school year with Music Fun Days as a reward for following all the music class rules throughout this marking period. Several classes even have been awarded Mega Superstar status because they earned stars every music class for the entire year! Those classes are
Ms. Houtz's 1st grade
Ms. Wortman's 1st grade
Ms. Wiest's 5th grade
Classes who missed only 1 star for the entire school year include:
Ms. Struble's Kindergarten
Ms. Winchek's Kindergarten
Ms Shultz's 2nd grade
Mr. Johnson's 3rd grade
Ms. Herr's 4th grade
Ms. Ward's 5th grade
Congratulations students!
5/15/18 Time to look back at everything we have learned this year. Fourth and Fifth grades are reviewing how different groups of instruments make distinctive sounds while playing world instrument bingo. Third graders are playing all of our favorite games from throughout our musical year. Second grade are finishing their play of "Kibungo". And Kindergarten and First Grade are learning a "See-Saw" song and reading and playing rhythms. We have had such a great year!
Bonus: Can 1 person alone sing harmony? The answer is usually NO. But Tuvan throat singers can make more than one sound. Check out the videos below!
5/8/18
We have spent a lot of time learning American music this year. So to close out our year, 4th and 5th graders are learning about when, why, and by whom our national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" was written.
Link to an interactive map of "THE Star-Spangled Banner" from the famous battle in 1814 here. And more information from the Smithsonian. Third graders are learning "You're a Grand Old Flag". Second grade is busy telling a folk story titled"Kibungo" by singing and acting out the parts. And Kindergarten and 1st graders are learning about Rhythm and different patterns of sounds in a teddy bear song and then practicing their patterns on Boomwhackers.
5/1/18 In 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, we are concluding our study of Pete Seeger. One of the songs Pete wrote is "Turn, Turn, Turn." It was made popular by 60's rock group The Byrds. Check below for a YouTube link of him singing his version. Students in 2nd grade are practicing their skills playing different melodic patterns they have learned on xylophones. And Kindergarten and 1st graders are singing "Jim Along Josie" and finding out about form and patterns in their music. As well as comparing the forms we found to traditional dance "La Raspa" from Mexico. Additional resources:
List of Pete Seeger's songs, recorded and composed link
4/23/18 We are continuing to learn about the life and music contributions of Pete Seeger (biography link). For example, he is credited with changing the words of the famous civil rights song "We Shall Overcome" to help it become a rallying cry of inclusion and equal treatment for people everywhere. He became famous during the 70's for several songs of protest that he composed in opposition to the Vietnam War, including "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" LINK here. One of his most famous final performances was during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. Watch below to see Pete in action, encouraging singing as an action for all people to participate in, not just to watch or listen to others perform.
4/17/18 We are almost finished with testing. And our students are learning about respecting diversity and embracing all students with the 'Make Your Mark' program. For music, we are learning about how singer/songwriter and activist Pete Seeger used music to encourage diversity and respecting all cultures and music styles. Here is a link of Pete telling his classic storysong "Abiyoyo".
4/10/18 Many classes are not having music this week due to PSSA testing. For students in 4th and 5th grades who do have classes, we are expanding on our study of Calypso and learning instrumental accompaniments to the song "Mango Walk". Students in 3rd grade are singing and playing Calypso as well with the song "Four White Horses". Kindergarten and 1st grades are exploring Tempo with the game song "The Old Gray Cat". Ask your student to share what they have been learning about music!
4/3/18 During this short week, we are continuing to expand on our learning from last week. Students in 4th and 5th grades are adding instruments to their Calypso style song, and learning about counter melodies. Students in 3rd grade are also learning the song "Four White Horses" and describing the characteristics of the Calypso style or genre. Students in 2nd grade are playing a game from Ecuador, "El juego chirimbolo" while finding the stepping, skipping, or repeated melodic patterns we have been learning in previous week's lessons. Kindergarten and 1st grade students are finding melody patterns in some "Rainy" songs that reflect our spring weather.