September has gone by so quickly that it seems like a blur! Let's slow things down a bit so you can see what we've been doing in music.
In Kindergarten, the children have had great fun with vocal exploration while playing with several cuddly little stuffed animals. They have also been experiencing steady beat with poems, recorded music, and unpitched percusion instruments. And, in addition to moving expressively to various styles of music, the children are beginning to describe qualities of the music they have moved to.
1st graders thoroughly enjoyed vocal exploration when that goofy Baby Big Bird recently came for a visit. Also, a poor, pathetic Pink Pig, a story about a lovable lizard, and a movement activity where the children's responses were determined by instrumental sounds, have given the children experience with the concept of high-low and the relationship between size and sound. Finally, steady beat skills, upward-downward, and so-mi-la intervals have received attention.
2nd graders have found that vocally playing around with timbre can be rather amusing when a singing game involving a seemingly sick Gramma Moses provides the vocal vehicle. Mentally, concentration and musical independence have been stretched as a result of performing one part while another is going on at the same time. This concept (ostinato) will continue to receive attention throughout the year. Rhythmically speaking, a story about a Happy Hedgehog has offered the opportunity for the children to perform patterns that enhance the tale, while learning about a variety of drums and improvising vocally.
In 3rd grade, the children have begun preparing for their November 3rd music performance. A blue informational letter with details about this program was sent home with your child on Thursday, September 29th. If you haven't done so yet, please fill out the bottom portion, sign this permission slip, and have your child return it to me by Monday, October 6th. If you did not receive the letter, please have your child let me know so I can give you another one.
Many thanks to all of you who are planning to help out with this program! As stated in the letter, there will be an organizational meeting on Wednesday, October 8th, for those of you who would like to assist with scenery, props, or costumes/accessories. The meeting will begin at 3:00, and will be held in the Music Room. I hope to see you there!
In 4th grade, the children have been working on their vocal skills while learning a challenging hand jive pattern that accompanies a bluesy-type singing game. This, along with a bean bag game that initially seems easy, has called upon the children's ability to maintain the steady beat while focusing, cooperating, coordinating, and constantly being aware of sequences and what happens when.
5th graders have been working with form, singing skills, and cooperation while playing a partner-changing singing game. They are presently working with form, expressive speech, mallet technique, and pentatonic improvisation through the use of a folk rhyme and pitched percussion instruments (xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels).
