Greetings from the music room! This was an exciting week of singing, moving, and playing instruments! Here are some of the highlights:
Kindgergarten students pretended to be explorers in search of the Grizzly Bear and his cave! They rode off on their horses when they heard 'skipping music' and got off to walk when they heard 'walking music.' Students also began learning a fun chant called Peanut Butter Soup and added rhythm sticks to a song called Listen to the Ducks. Students also continued to explore their speaking, whisper, calling, and singing voices with the chant Five Little Monkeys.
First grade created their own lyrics to a song called Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands. Students explored the differences between the steady beat and rhythm by responding to aural and visual examples. Additionally, students worked in small groups to learn a movement activity to the chant Engine, Engine.
Second grade students began learning to read quarter note and eighth notes using the song Bounce High, Bounce Low. Students also worked in small groups to learn a movement activity to the chant Engine, Engine. At the end of class, students learned the chant Go! Go! Go! and listened to a short selection of Elvis Presley's Blue Suede Shoes which contains this chant.
Third grade students learned how to set up the xylophone in a pentatonic (five note scale). Students also played an 8-beat pattern on the xylophone and later practiced singing the song Rocky Mountain while simultaneously patting this 8-beat pattern. Additionally, students reviewed the melodic notes mi re and do. After echoing short patterns of these notes, the students discovered the position of these notes on the xylophone.
Fourth grade students learned how to set up the xylophone in a pentatonic (five note scale). Students also played an 8-beat pattern on the xylophone and later practiced singing the song Rocky Mountain while simultaneously patting this 8-beat pattern. Students also played a review game which included musical terms such as crescendo and forte as well as the letter names for the notes on the treble clef staff.
Fifth grade began learning about the structure of chords and how most songs require more than one chord. Students learned about the I chord and the V chord and played along to a recording of Best Day of My Life using xylophones.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Week Two in Review (Sept. 15-18)
Greetings from the music room! We had a very busy week continuing to establish procedures and reviewing content from previous grade levels. It was wonderful to meet all of the second grade students this week and I am looking forward to exploring new songs and skills with all students in week three!
Kindergarten continued to explore their speaking, whisper, calling, and singing voices. Students met 'Mark the Monkey' and learned chants such as Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar. Some of the children came up with some very clever ideas about who stole the cookies. One child thought it might have been the doctor who told the monkeys to stop jumping on the bed! Students also practiced their loud and quiet voices while singing the song Grizzly Bear and later practiced moving around the room quietly (tiptoe) and loudly (marching) to the beat of a drum.
First grade finished playing a get to know you game to the song Bounce High, Bounce Low. In week three, first grade will use this same song to learn the difference between beat and rhythm. Students began learning a new song No Bears Out Tonight which will also be used to help students learn the difference between beat and rhythm. First grade students reviewed their loud and quiet singing voices by playing a guessing game to the song Grizzly Bear and then moved around the room quietly (tiptoe) and loudly (marching) to the beat of a drum. In first grade, students will learn the musical terms for loud (forte) and quiet (piano).
Second grade learned the song Bounce High, Bounce Low and played a get to know you game. In week three, students will review the difference between beat and rhythm and begin using quarter notes and eighth notes to write the rhythm for this song. Students explored the classroom using different types of movements (tiptoe, march, walk, shuffle) and practiced freezing on a musical cue. Students reviewed the song Doggie, Doggie and learned a new song called See Saw. In week three, students will use both of these songs to review the two-line staff and learn melodic notes sol and mi.
Third grade reviewed the American folksong Rocky Mountain and learned melodic notes do re and mi. Students then located a pattern of these notes in the song Rocky Mountain. In week three, third graders will use this song to review quarter notes, eighth notes, and half notes. Students will also play do re and mi patterns on xylophones.
Fourth grade reviewed quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests while working with partners to play a game called post office. In this activity, students listened to a pattern as it was clapped and then worked together to select the correct answer. Students also reviewed the song Rocky Mountain and will use this song in week three to review half notes and the pentatonic (five note) scale.
Fifth grade reviewed quarter notes, quarter rests, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes while working with partners to play a game called post office. In this activity, students listened to a pattern as it was clapped and then worked together to select the correct answer. Students also reviewed the song Rocky Mountain and will use this song in week three to begin learning about different types of chords (I and V).
Kindergarten continued to explore their speaking, whisper, calling, and singing voices. Students met 'Mark the Monkey' and learned chants such as Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar. Some of the children came up with some very clever ideas about who stole the cookies. One child thought it might have been the doctor who told the monkeys to stop jumping on the bed! Students also practiced their loud and quiet voices while singing the song Grizzly Bear and later practiced moving around the room quietly (tiptoe) and loudly (marching) to the beat of a drum.
 |
| Our classroom visitors: Mark the Monkey and Grizzly Bear! |
Second grade learned the song Bounce High, Bounce Low and played a get to know you game. In week three, students will review the difference between beat and rhythm and begin using quarter notes and eighth notes to write the rhythm for this song. Students explored the classroom using different types of movements (tiptoe, march, walk, shuffle) and practiced freezing on a musical cue. Students reviewed the song Doggie, Doggie and learned a new song called See Saw. In week three, students will use both of these songs to review the two-line staff and learn melodic notes sol and mi.
Third grade reviewed the American folksong Rocky Mountain and learned melodic notes do re and mi. Students then located a pattern of these notes in the song Rocky Mountain. In week three, third graders will use this song to review quarter notes, eighth notes, and half notes. Students will also play do re and mi patterns on xylophones.
 |
| Hand signs for melodic notes do re and mi. |
Fourth grade reviewed quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests while working with partners to play a game called post office. In this activity, students listened to a pattern as it was clapped and then worked together to select the correct answer. Students also reviewed the song Rocky Mountain and will use this song in week three to review half notes and the pentatonic (five note) scale.
Fifth grade reviewed quarter notes, quarter rests, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes while working with partners to play a game called post office. In this activity, students listened to a pattern as it was clapped and then worked together to select the correct answer. Students also reviewed the song Rocky Mountain and will use this song in week three to begin learning about different types of chords (I and V).
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Week One in Review (Sept. 8 - Sept. 11)
Welcome back to school! This week nearly all of the K-5 students at Loon Lake were welcomed back into the music classroom! It was wonderful to meet all of the K-1 and 3-5 grade students; I look forward to meeting all 2nd grade students in week two! This past week, returning students reviewed and established procedures while reviewing musical skills from the previous year.
Kindergarten began exploring the differences between their speaking, whisper, calling, and singing voices. Students also began to learn songs and chants such as Grandma's Glasses, Grizzly Bear, and Elephants Have Wrinkles!
First grade reviewed the four voices and kept a steady beat by using their bodies and rhythm sticks.
Second grade will begin music classes in week two!
Third grade began learning an American folksong called Rocky Mountain which will help students review quarter, eighth, and half notes and melodic notes do-re-mi. Students learned about the Rocky Mountains: where they are located, how tall they are, and why they are so rocky.
Fourth grade and fifth grade learned an American folk song and game from Texas called Chicken on a Fence Post. Students in fourth grade are using the song to review quarter notes and eighth notes. Students in fifth grade are using the song to review quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes.
Kindergarten began exploring the differences between their speaking, whisper, calling, and singing voices. Students also began to learn songs and chants such as Grandma's Glasses, Grizzly Bear, and Elephants Have Wrinkles!
First grade reviewed the four voices and kept a steady beat by using their bodies and rhythm sticks.
Second grade will begin music classes in week two!
Third grade began learning an American folksong called Rocky Mountain which will help students review quarter, eighth, and half notes and melodic notes do-re-mi. Students learned about the Rocky Mountains: where they are located, how tall they are, and why they are so rocky.
 |
| The Rocky Mountains, located in the western United States, stand over 14,000 feet tall. That's over 2.5 miles above sea level! |
Fourth grade and fifth grade learned an American folk song and game from Texas called Chicken on a Fence Post. Students in fourth grade are using the song to review quarter notes and eighth notes. Students in fifth grade are using the song to review quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes.
 |
| Fourth and fifth grade students located Texas, the origin of Chicken on a Fence Post, on the map. |
 |
| Fifth grade students decoded the rhythm to Chicken on a Fence Post using the interactive white board. |
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Welcome to Music at Loon Lake!
Hello Everyone and Welcome to Music at Loon Lake!
My name is Nicole Aaronson and I am very excited to begin teaching music at Loon Lake Elementary School this year! I am looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing a year filled with joyful music learning experiences. All year students will be learning musical concepts through singing, dancing, playing classroom instruments, and participating in a wide variety of musical activities and educational games. This blog will highlight what students are learning in class and will serve as a main form of communication for the music classroom. It will be updated frequently, so please visit often! Additionally, you can sign-up to receive email notifications each time this blog is updated by entering your email address in the "Follow by Email" box found on the right side of the home page.
If you have any questions about Loon Lake's music program, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I will respond to your call or email as quickly as possible. I would like to once again express my excitement about the 2015-2016 school year! I look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)