Kindergarten students have willed Spring to arrive by singing lots of songs about Spring! "Spring is Here" is a catchy tune the children sing. The favorite part is the end, where the children add handbells. How fun is that? Small, easy to use handbells are a new addition to our classroom instruments and we can't stop playing them! "The Cuckoo" is another great spring song. The children enjoyed watching a video of a cuckoo clock - this one has a great cuckoo, a woodchopper, and dancers spinning to the song, "Val-de-ri." "Mr. Sun" by Raffi is always a fave, as well. In addition, the children have been exploring musical form through two pieces, "The Wild Horseman" by Robert Schumann - AABA form - and "An Old Dance" by Aram Khatchaturian - ABA form. We use physical movement to identify the different parts of these songs. Listening skills are emphasized throughout class, and these skills only enhance their classroom studies. Kindergarten students recently visited The Little Red Schoolhouse with their classes, and studied about Laura B. Sprague. Music classes offer so many opportunities for curricular tie-ins, and this was no exception. In music class, we discussed the time period when Laura was alive and teaching in Lake County - mid 1800's. During this time, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was popular, along with "The Farmer in the Dell," and "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," and even "The Wild Horseman" - though written in Germany. The children always enjoy playing these games and we try to realize that some things are still the same. Children everywhere enjoy playing singing games and learn about their world through music. Interesting side note.....Thomas Edison invented many items, including the phonograph. One can find an actual recording of Thomas Edison - from his original phonograph - reciting 'a little piece of practical poetry,' then he continues to read Mary Had a Little Lamb as his first recording. It's fun to hear.
First Graders are busy being star performers. Earlier in March, children spent some time writing down feelings that they associate with different musical pieces they were learning. I gathered this fabulous information and compiled it into a 'script' to be read at our upcoming Portfolio Day Share Performance on Thursday, May 1st. Their feelings will be the connecting threads as we explore first grade musical experiences. Students are learning to work/perform as a group, which is very challenging for some of our little ones in first grade! Working as a team, standing on big-kid risers, singing with good tone, expression and diction, and focus are all targets we arePortfolio Day is a great opportunity to connect with what your child is doing in the classroom, and then we also bring you to the gymnasium to connect with the arts. Artwork is on display, and your children will be sharing some music and activities from first grade, to give you a little taste of their experiences. There is a page on this website with all the details - timing, clothing, dates. We hope to see you on May 1st!
Second Graders have been conquering some really challenging xylophone pieces. Each class has learned this piece, and the students rotate amongst all the instrument parts. This lively piece has four layers of instruments, and the children REALLY have to count. I'm always telling them, MUSICIANS ALWAYS COUNT! It really has two meanings, but truly we are focusing on actual counting right now. They may realize the other meaning later on:) The pieces have started coming together in a most impressive way - and their teachers are always so amazed at what they can do. (That's because in December I have the teachers learn xylophone songs and they do realize how challenging it can be!) Second graders are also mastering some performing skills through two Spanish language songs, a choreographed singing piece, and learning how to read collectively - it is a skill. You can find much of this music listed under, APRIL MUSIC, on this website. They will be showing off all of this on Thursday, May 22! A letter will be coming home next week, and I will have a page on this site, as well, with all the details.