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Celebrating Dr. King

1/17/2020

Students in grades K-8 participated in community centered assemblies to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each grade contributed to our program in a special way. In grades K-2, Principal Miller shared the book "I Have A Dream", illustrated by Kadir Nelson and we sang freedom songs. In grades 3-5, we read "Sing A Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations". Following the read aloud, we all stood and sang that very song with an overwhelming sense of community and strength. Dr. King would have been proud. In grades 6-8, the Young Scholars shared poems, 6th graders shared biographical presentations on local activists and we had 3 amazing musical performances from Nyla, Avery, Eamon, Lillian, Audrey, Zanna, Mia, Jasmine, Lydia, Bea and Maliah.

Kindergarten

1/17/2020

Kindergarteners have been learning about eighth note and quarter note rhythms. They have played a game called "Frog in the Meadow" in which they created their own rhythmic patterns. Then, they practiced decoding rhythmic patterns with "building" these patterns with popsicle sticks. They have also been learning about Lunar New Year and discovering the rhythm of each animal name in the Chinese Zodiac.

1st Grade

11/26/2019

1st graders have been asking for song sheets to take home so they can practice words and sing for their families. Keep an eye out for this paper coming home to you from your classroom teacher! You should also be able to download and print the song sheet out from here as well. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

4th Grade

11/7/2019

4th graders love to dance and we spend a lot of time dancing and moving to music throughout the year. Folk dancing helps teach basic concepts of rhythm, repetition, musical cues, pattern, predictability, and anticipation. It also allows students a valuable opportunity to develop social skills and become more comfortable moving to music with friends in a way that feels both "expected" and FUN! Folk dance is also very multicultural. When students learn dances from around the world, they gain insight into different historical and social times and traditions.

3rd Grade

11/7/2019

3rd graders have been exploring the concept of form in music through listening and identifying patterns in what they hear. This week we used "Happy" by Pharrell Williams to identify a verse, chorus and bridge within a song. They demonstrated their understanding of the form by putting these cards in the correct order as they listened.

5th Grade

10/28/2019

5th grade has been arranging, rehearsing and conducting their tone poem projects in class. They created repeating patterns called ostinati to layer on top of other musical ideas. Here, you can see a student practicing his conducting as others perform in the "orchestra". This project has been an involved and complex process and the students have enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labor as the piece takes shape each time a new student leads it.

2nd Grade

10/25/2019

2nd graders have been playing classroom instruments such as shakers, rain-sticks, vibraslap, xylophone, metallophone and glockenspiel. Ask your child what each of these instruments is! They have been discovering and developing the self control that is needed to successfully play music with a group. They have been singing and playing games along with our practice and really enjoying "as many turns as possible!" In the first video, students are singing a song about bats and accompanying on xylophone. In the second video, students are playing a game called "Pass the Pumpkin" and rotating through the instrument stations set up behind the circle. This game reinforces steady beat, quarter, eighth and half note rhythms, and singing and playing in a minor key. It's also really fun!

4th Grade

10/23/2019

All grades work towards earning "music choice rewards" by following classroom expectations and working their hardest. 4th grade earned a reward this past week and were excited to try the Boomwhackers. These colorful plastic tubes each play a different pitch and we can use them all together to play the melody of a song. We can also use them to explore the science of sound, wavelength, pitch, vibration and rhythm. Aside from being a great tool to teach these concepts, they are just really fun to play!

1st Grade

10/23/2019

First grade students have been singing songs, moving with purpose to music, and playing games that reinforce steady beat and tuneful singing. Here, two classes are playing a well loved game called "Pumpkin Patch". This week, we will be listening to and moving to "The Wild Horseman" by Robert Schumann and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg. Play these songs at home and see what your children can tell you about each piece!

Kindergarten

10/23/2019

Each day in music class we sing songs and play games that help develop tuneful singing and a sense of steady beat. Tuneful singing is not necessarily something that comes naturally to all children and so we spend time each day on vocal exploration, echo songs and chants that help students learn more about how to make high and low sounds, how to change between their singing and talking voices, and how to keep the beat. Here, two brave students are demonstrating Acorn Song into the "microphone". I was so proud of them for volunteering and singing in front of all of their friends!