Kindergarten music classes have jumped into fall, and leaves and Thanksgiving. Throughout the month, students will continue to focus on high and low sounds. This week students are using the Smartboard to place leaves on a tree indicating whether they are hearing high or low sounds. The challenge is what to do with those sounds that are neither high nor low, but in the middle. Kindergarten children are learning rhymes and poems about the fall, in addition to continuing to find their singing voices. Singing with their 'head' voice offers a lovely, pleasant sound and we strive for that in each class. Kindergarten classes are also participating in our Sprague School tradition of our Thanksgiving Sing. This is an opportunity for the Sprague School family to gather together and sing and share music together. It's just for kids, and it's a wonderful way to show children that music truly brings people together and through music we can celebrate and be thankful.
1st Grade music classes have also jumped into fall with squirrel songs and traditional rhymes. Rhymes are a great way to teach children the difference between rhythm and steady beat. Children can walk or clap the beat, then change and clap the rhythm of the text. And, when we are using traditional rhymes like "Pease Porridge Hot" or "Hop Old Squirrel" we are also connecting these children of 2012 to our cultural history. The students continue to identify upward and downward sounds, using their bodies, voices and barred instruments. The xylophones/glockenspiesl/metallophones provide a great opportunity to play glissandi - fun, sliding patterns that everyone loves to play. 1st graders are also enjoying being the 'big kids' this year. It makes them feel good when they realize they already know the songs for the Thanksgiving Sing and can help lead the kindergarten kids. That's part of the joy of the Sprague School Family - a wonderful lesson in sharing.
2nd Grade students are busy like squirrels in November. Children have been reviewing melody through a simplified 3-line staff, and are very adept at sight-singing these melodies using sol-la and mi. Students will have opportunity to further their melody and rhythm practice using little pumpkins and leaves manipulatives. It's fun to move them around the staff and sing and clap the patterns. Right now the children are mastering a series of bordun - accompaniment patterns - on the xylophones. There are 5 levels they are trying to work through. These bordun will be used throughout the year as they learn new pieces. 2nd grade is also taking on a leadership role for the Thanksgiving Sing. As the oldest kids here, they get to sing the lead part, and the little kids will echo. It's a wonderful tradition, and a wonderful opportunity to teach the children about tradition and the role of music in celebrations. Don't forget, the students are also fresh from their studies of Native American culture. In art class they have created Native American-inspired rattles. When they are finished, they will be brought into music class where we will use the rattles the children make for traditional Native American music making! How great is that!
1st Grade music classes have also jumped into fall with squirrel songs and traditional rhymes. Rhymes are a great way to teach children the difference between rhythm and steady beat. Children can walk or clap the beat, then change and clap the rhythm of the text. And, when we are using traditional rhymes like "Pease Porridge Hot" or "Hop Old Squirrel" we are also connecting these children of 2012 to our cultural history. The students continue to identify upward and downward sounds, using their bodies, voices and barred instruments. The xylophones/glockenspiesl/metallophones provide a great opportunity to play glissandi - fun, sliding patterns that everyone loves to play. 1st graders are also enjoying being the 'big kids' this year. It makes them feel good when they realize they already know the songs for the Thanksgiving Sing and can help lead the kindergarten kids. That's part of the joy of the Sprague School Family - a wonderful lesson in sharing.
2nd Grade students are busy like squirrels in November. Children have been reviewing melody through a simplified 3-line staff, and are very adept at sight-singing these melodies using sol-la and mi. Students will have opportunity to further their melody and rhythm practice using little pumpkins and leaves manipulatives. It's fun to move them around the staff and sing and clap the patterns. Right now the children are mastering a series of bordun - accompaniment patterns - on the xylophones. There are 5 levels they are trying to work through. These bordun will be used throughout the year as they learn new pieces. 2nd grade is also taking on a leadership role for the Thanksgiving Sing. As the oldest kids here, they get to sing the lead part, and the little kids will echo. It's a wonderful tradition, and a wonderful opportunity to teach the children about tradition and the role of music in celebrations. Don't forget, the students are also fresh from their studies of Native American culture. In art class they have created Native American-inspired rattles. When they are finished, they will be brought into music class where we will use the rattles the children make for traditional Native American music making! How great is that!