Week Twenty Seven in Review (Mar. 21 - Mar. 25)

Greetings from the music room! It was a another exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! Here are some of the highlights:

Kindergarten students learned a new song entitled My Little Boat this week. This song was used to practice steady beat, fast/slow and loud/quiet. First, students pretended to row a their boat at different speeds and in different ways. Then students were shown how to make the sound of wind on a hand drum (you can do this by gently rubbing the tips of your finger over the drum head). At the end of the song, students took turns creating the wind. If the teacher's hands were close together, the students created quiet wind. If the teacher's hands moved far apart, then the students created loud wind. Not only were students practicing loud and quiet, they were also taking cues from a conductor! Students also reviewed songs Wishy Washy Wee and Who Took a Piece of My Pumpkin Pie.

First grade students reviewed their new melodic note la this week. Students reviewed the placement of la on the music staff and discussed its relationship to the notes sol and mi. Students played a singing game called poison pattern in which they had to echo all patterns sang by the teacher except for the 'poison' pattern. Students were incredibly successful at silencing themselves during the poison pattern! Students also practiced reading quarter notes, quarter rests, and eighth notes. Students learned a series of five rhythm flashcards. Then copies of these cards were spread out all around the classroom. After Mrs. Aaronson played one of the rhythms on the recorder, the students had to search for and locate a flashcard which contained the correct rhythm.

This student has found the correct rhythm flashcard and is pointing to it using his shoe.

Second grade students practiced hearing the difference between sol mi and the new low note do by responding with hand movements as those notes were played on the xylophone. Students also learned a new song entitled Apple Tree. This song will be used to help students learn the melodic note do. Students reviewed the song No One in the House and practiced singing and performing body percussion at different speeds. Students added triangles and woodblocks to the song Who's That. Next week, students will discover the half notes in this song and add xylophones.

Third grade students learned a new note this week: low sol! Students discovered the location of this new note in the song Chatter with the Angels. In addition to finding this new note in the song, students learned a patting/clapping/snapping/stamping pattern that corresponded with the song's words and rhythms. Students also began learning a new song entitled Chicken on a Fence Post. This song contains a very fun racing game in which two 'farmers' race to reach the chicken in the center of two circles of students. This song will later be used to reinforce the new note low sol. Additionally, students searched for three-beat notes (dotted half notes) in the song My Country 'Tis of Thee. After finding these notes, students discovered that a half note can be tied to a quarter note to equal three beats.

Fourth grade students primarily focused on string instruments this week. Students were introduced to the four main orchestral string instruments: the violin, the viola, the cello, and the string bass. Students learned about the different parts of these instruments through a non-fiction book entitled What in the World is a Violin. Students also learned about how these instruments are made by watching a video clip from a Mister Roger's episode. Students  learned about electric string instruments and the differences between electric and traditional instruments. Lastly, students learned about the role of the conductor. Students were able to experience conducting basics by following along on the 'conduct' page of the San Francisco Orchestra Kids' website.

Fifth grade students enjoyed a popcorn party in recognition of all of their hard work on Annie Kids. While eating their treat, students watched the first 30 minutes of a video entitled Stomp Out Loud. This video features percussionists making music with wide range of everyday objects including brooms, kitchen utensils, and basketballs. 

Week Twenty Six in Review (Mar. 14 - Mar. 18)

Greetings from the music room! What an exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! In addition to the usual music classes, all K-4 students were invited to watch Loon Lake's fifth graders perform Annie Kids on Thursday, March 17th. Below are a few snapshots from the Loon Lake daytime performances of Annie Kids.

The Finale: The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

Miss Hannigan caught Annie trying to run away from the orphanage.

It's the Hard-Knock Life for Us!

Miss Hannigan, Rooster Hannigan, and Lily St. Regis discuss their bad luck.

One more snapshot from the finale.

Here are some of the week's other highlights:

Kindergarten enjoyed playing xylophones during the chant The Ship. As this chant talks about the waves going up and down on the ocean, the students were led to discover that they can make up and down sounds on the glockenspiel. Students discovered that the big bars make low sounds while the little bars make high sounds. Students also continued to practice keeping a steady beat during the song Wishy Washy Wee. Students alternated patting their knees and clapping their hands as two students linked arms and swung in the middle of the circle. Students also learned a 'wishy washy' step to make sure that they all have sea legs! Lastly, more students were given the opportunity to sing a solo in order to uncover the mystery during the song Who Took a Piece of My Pumpkin Pie.

First grade students were formally introduced to melodic note la this week! After discovering the placement of la on the music staff, students echoed a variety of sol mi and la patterns. Students also played a game called poison pattern in which they had to listen closely to all patterns in order to not accidentally sing the 'poison' one. Additionally, students learned a new la song, A Tisket A Tasket. This song will be used to help students practice their new note. Students also practiced many quarter note, quarter rest, and eighth note rhythms this week. Students were given five rhythms and had to determine which one was clapped or played on the recorder by the teacher. 

Second grade focused heavily on melodic notes la and do as well as the rhythm half note this week. Students used dry erase markers and white boards to write a variety of sol mi and la patterns. While I was expecting the students to be successful with this activity, I was not prepared for the ease with which they wrote the patterns! Students also discovered the location of a new low note (do) in the song No One in the House but Dinah and learned another song which contains this new low note, Donald Duck. Students learned to sing Are You Sleeping  in french (Frere Jacques). After learning this song, students were asked to clap the rhythm and indicate the location of any half notes by dragging their fingers down their forearm. Students also began learning another song which contains half notes entitled Who's That Tapping at the Window.
 

This student is off to a good start! He has correctly written the melodic pattern.

This student has correctly written and labeled the pattern!

This student is adding note stems to the sol mi la pattern.

This student has correctly located a new low note!

Third grade students enjoyed playing a rhythm game to a song called Black Snake. This do re mi sol la song allowed students to practice reading quarter notes, quarter rests, half notes, half rests, and eighth notes. As students sang the song, a black snake made of yarn was passed around the circle. The student with the black snake at the end of the song could choose from six different rhythms in order to earn points for their team. Students also explored the upper range of their voices by participating in the wave. Students raised and lowered their arms as if at a sporting event and added an upward glissando to this motion. Lastly, students played a mi re do low la pattern on the xylophones while singing the song Captain, Don't Side Track Your Train.

Fourth grade students enjoyed a recorder day on Tuesday. Students learned the first section (the A section) for the song Hop, Skip, Jump. This song allowed students to review the notes B, A, and G while playing along with upbeat rock-and-roll style music. Students were also given the opportunity to achieve a new recorder karate belt level on this day. On Wednesday, students reviewed the characteristics of the percussion family and were given live demonstrations of a wide variety of percussion instruments including a miniature steel drum and a spring drum. Lastly, students watched a brief video showing how the hammers inside a piano hit  the instrument's strings making it a percussion instrument.

Fifth grade students rehearsed in the gym on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Annie Kids. On Thursday, the students performed twice during the school day. They performed for K-2 in the morning and for 3-4 in the afternoon. Fifth grade students also participated in one evening dress rehearsal and two evening performances. One performance was on Thursday, March 17th and the other was on Friday, March 18th. I could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication that the fifth graders put into this production! Congratulations to all fifth grade students on a job very well done!

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Detroit Symphony Orchestra Field Trip

 Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am very excited to announce that third, fourth, and fifth graders will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to Detroit in order to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, April 27^th! Students will depart from Loon Lake Elementary at 10:15 a.m. and return at approximately 1:45 p.m. The performance that they will attend is an educational concert program based on the four seasons. The cost per student for this field trip is $10, a cost that has been reduced through a generous donation by the P.T.A.

As this field trip falls over the lunch hour, students will be eating a sack lunch when they return to school. Please plan to have your child bring a bagged lunch to school on this day.

Additionally, we are searching for chaperones for this field trip. There will be an average of five chaperones per classroom. If we receive more than five chaperones for each classroom, then names will be drawn from a hat to determine who will attend. Please let Mrs. Aaronson know by Friday, March 18^th if you are interested in chaperoning this field trip.

Please fill out the permission slip, place it in an envelope, and send it back to the school along with cash or a check made payable to Loon Lake Elementary by Friday, March 18^th. All items should be turned in to Mrs. Aaronson in the music room. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Aaronson

Week Twenty Five in Review (Mar. 7 - Mar. 11)

Greetings from the music room! It was a another exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! Here are some of the highlights:

Kindergarten students began learning a song for solo singing entitled Who Took a Piece of My Pumpkin Pie. Students enjoyed the mysterious nature of this simple song and the game that accompanies it. In order to play the game, one child goes into the center of the circle and hides his eyes. Then a child in the circle is chosen as the 'thief.' At the end of the song, the chosen child sings "I took a piece of your pumpkin pie." The child in the center must then guess who the mystery singer is based on the sound of the singer's voice. Students were incredibly successful at identifying the mystery singer! Students also began learning two new songs to practice steady beat: Wishy Washy and My Little Boat. Students began learning a chant entitled The Ship. This chant will be used to expand students' knowledge of classroom instruments as well as work on the difference between pitches that go up and pitches that go down.

First grade students enjoyed learning a new song entitled Walk and Stop this week. This playful song, which encouraged students to stop and freeze at predetermined locations within the song, allowed students to practice moving to the steady beat and differentiating between high and low sounds. If the song ended with a high note, students were to create a tall statue. If the song ended with a low note, then students were to create a short, low to the ground statue. Students explored the range of their voices by following the ups and downs of a ribbon stick. After a few demonstrations by Mrs. Aaronson, students were then asked to lead this activity. Some students created patterns that were challenging for the class to 'sing' accurately! Students also searched for the new high note (la) in the song Snail, Snail. After students could successfully locate this note, they filled in the rest of the notes with the melodic notes sol and mi. Given the students' great success with this activity, they will be formally introduced to la next week!

Second grade students used the song Traffic Lights to practice melodic notes sol mi and la. First, students sang the song using solfege and hand signs. Then students were asked to write short melodies on the five line staff by using the interactive white board. Students did a great job helping each other remember all of the rules for writing the notes sol mi and la on the staff. Students also looked for the appearance of the new low note (do) in the song Charlie Over the Ocean.

Third grade students focused heavily on the melodic note low la this week. First, students echoed short melodies that included melodic notes low la do re and mi. Then students decoded the solfege to the song Big Fat Biscuit and played the song's game while singing the song using solfege. Students also began learning a new song entitled Captain, Don't Side Track Your Train. This song is being used to reinforce melodic note low la. Students were asked to find the sentences of the song that matched the pattern mi-mi-re-do-low la and were very successful! Students also finished learning the Heel and Toe Polka! In addition to learning the remainder of this dance and experiencing the form of folk music through movement, students were led in a discussion about how to be respectful to all classmates while dancing.

Fourth grade students focused heavily on brass instruments this week. Students reviewed the characteristics of brass instruments, particularly those that differentiate them from woodwind instruments. Students also worked with partners to make lists of woodwind and brass instruments and to practice differentiating between the sound of woodwind and brass instruments. The instrument that caused students the most difficulty was the bassoon. Due to its low sound, many students mistakenly identified it as a brass instrument. Students also began learning about percussion instruments and the characteristics of this instrument family. Lastly, students voted to have a recorder day next Tuesday.

Fifth grade students, after listening to 15 minutes of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony over the course of several classes, discussed facts about this famous composer. Topics covered included the composer's importance to the beginning of the Romantic music period, his deafness, and his musical talent not only as a composer but also as an organist and pianist. Additionally, students focused on completing their memorization of the music for Annie Kids. Students also learned their spots on the risers and practiced entering and exiting them at the correct time.

Week Twenty Four in Review (Feb. 29 - Mar. 4)

Greetings from the music room! It was a another exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! Here are some of the highlights:

Kindergarten students enjoyed adding boomwhackers, a musical instrument that consists of pitched, colorful tubes, to the song Snowman Joe. Snowman Joe is a song built on the notes of the major scale, the notes rise one pitch at a time as the song progresses. When Mrs. Aaronson played the boomwhackers for the students, in the order of the major scale, she was greatly pleased when some students noted that the boomwhackers sounded just like Snowman Joe! Students were then given the opportunity to play one of the notes themselves. Students also revisited the song Johnny Work with One Hammer in order to review fast and slow and to practice steady beat. Revisiting this song from the beginning of the school year easily showed how much the students have progressed in their ability to keep a steady beat since the beginning of the school year! Lastly, students began learning a song called Little Snow Flakes which, in addition to having a fun "ice statue" game, allowed students to begin differentiating between notes that go up and notes that go down.

First grade students learned a new song entitled The Kangaroo. This song allowed students to improvise a short response and to practice singing melodic notes sol and mi. Next week, students will review this song and play its repeating notes on the xylophone. Students also participated in a vocal exploration exercise called 'back shapes.' In this exercise, students worked with partners and used their fingers to draw shapes on each others backs. The person whose back was being drawn on was to make a sound with his or her voice that matched the shape of the drawing. For example, if a student felt their partner draw a line going up his back, the student would perform an upward slide with his voice. Students also reviewed the new high note (la) by singing the song Bluebells on solfege and playing triangles only on the new note.

Second grade students only had one day of class this week as a result of the snow day on Wednesday. On Friday, students began learning a new sol-mi-la song entitled Traffic Lights. In addition to practicing the new note la, this song enables students to practice fast and slow movements and contains a fun quick reaction exercise. It also teaches children about the meaning of the colors of the traffic lights. Students also used a beat chart and dry erase markers to figure out rhythm to the song Starlight, Starbright. Once students had correctly written the song's rhythm, they were challenged to decode the solfege (sol-mi-la) for the song. 

These students are working on decoding the rhythm and the solfege for the song Starlight, Starbright.

This student has very successfully decoded both the rhythm and the solfege for Starlight, Starbright!

Third grade students learned a new song entitled Old Brass Wagon and the movement that accompanies it. This song will be used to introduce new melodic note low sol. Students also began learning the Heel and Toe Polka! This fun social dance encourages students to move to the music's phrases and to work cooperatively with one another. Social dances such as this allow students to experience a piece of music's form through movement. Lastly, students worked with partners to write in the solfege (do-re-mi-sol-la) for the song Firefly on six melodic flashcards. Once students had written in the solfege, they were asked to place the cards in the correct order. 

Two third grade students correctly wrote in the solfege for the song Firefly and then placed their melody cards in the correct order.

After students had completed the work with their partners, we checked our answers on the interactive white board.

 Fourth grade students reviewed which instruments belong to the woodwind family and the characteristics that make them woodwind instruments. Students were given a brief overview of how oboe and bassoon players can make their own reeds. Students were also introduced to the bassoon, the clarinet, and the flute through video recordings. Students were shown how size makes a significant difference in the sound of an instrument. For example, the piccolo is practically identical to the flute except that it is smaller in size and therefore plays higher pitches. Students enjoyed seeing the size variations throughout the recorder, saxophone, flute, and clarinet family. Students were also introduced to two brass instruments, the trumpet and the trombone, and learned about the defining characteristic of brass instruments.

Fifth grade students learned a new solfege pattern for warming-up and practicing correct vowel formations this week. Students also began to work on memorizing the chorus music for the musical Annie Kids. Students were led in a discussion about the style difference between the song Easy Street and the rest of the show's music. Students worked on using a light, supported voice during this song to match and maintain pitch. Students also reviewed the song Tomorrow and worked on difficult rhythms within this song.

Week Twenty Three in Review (Feb. 22 - Feb. 26)

Greetings from the music room! It was a another exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! Here are some of the highlights:

Kindergarten students only had one day of class this week as a result of the snow day on Thursday. On Friday, students reviewed steady beat songs The Monkey Stomps His Feet and Punchinella. Students also began learning a song entitled My Poor Hand is Shaking. In addition to enabling students to "get the wiggles out," this song encourages body awareness and phrasing. Throughout the song students lament how one part of their body will not stop shaking. At the end of each verse, students yell "stop!," grab the shaking body part, and freeze. Students especially enjoyed the verse about their whole body shaking! Students also began learning the chant Engine, Engine which is being used to reinforce fast and slow and to practice beat. 

First grade students began learning a new song called Hop Old Squirrel. This song, which includes quarter rests, allowed students to improvise new verses and different ways to move around the room. Students were also challenged to perform various movements on select words: students hopped on the word 'hop,' clapped on the words 'old squirrel,' and patted the rhythm of all other words on their knees. Students also began learning about a new high note (la). Students were introduced to this note using the song Bluebells. Students were introduced to its placement on the music staff as well as its hand sign. Lastly, students worked with partners to place rhythm cards to the song Starlight, Starbright in the correct order. 

 

This student is sorting through her rhythm cards and is off to a great start!

These students have correctly placed the flashcards for Starlight, Starbright in the correct order.

Second grade students enjoyed experiencing Grieg's composition In the Hall of the Mountain King through movement this week. While moving to this composition, and pretending to sneak into the Mountain King's lair, students experienced how the composition gradually got faster (accelerando) and louder (crescendo). Students then read the rhythm (quarter notes, eighth notes, and half note) for the compositions' A theme and the B theme. Once secure in these rhythms, students transferred the rhythms to hand drums and rhythm sticks and played along with the recording. Students also discovered the occurrence of a new low note (do) in the song King's Land. 

Third grade students were formally introduced to melodic note low la this week! Students were led to discover that some of the notes in the song I'm Gonna Sing are lower than do. Students were then shown the note's position on the staff and its hand sign (the same as 'normal' la). Students then listened closely to the song Sally in the Kitchen  and were challenged to discover the location of low la within this song. Students also created an introduction and a coda for this and performed a rhythmic ostinato for it on xylophones.

Fourth grade students began a unit on the instruments of the orchestra this week! After taking a tone color pre-assessment, which will be used to help show student growth at the end of the unit, students were given a brief overview of the four instrument families: woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion. Students were then introduced to the woodwind instruments oboe and saxophone through live demonstrations. Students discovered that although the saxophone is a woodwind instrument, it is very, very rarely found in the orchestra.


Fifth grade students continued to work on vowel shapes as well as the chorus music for the musical Annie Kids. Students focused heavily on learning the song Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. Students also worked on singing strong entrances and correct pitches in the songs N.Y.C. and It's the Hard-Knock Life and maintaining a steady tempo in Easy Street.