Week Nine in Review (Oct. 31 - Nov. 4)

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

Kindergarten students reviewed the difference between loud and quiet sounds. Students responded to loud and quiet sounds on the drum. Students stomped for loud sounds and tiptoed for quiet sounds. Students also began learning a new loud/quiet game to the song Lucy Locket. This game is very similar to hot/cold. When the child is close to the hidden item, the class sings loudly. When the child is far away from the hidden item, the class sings quietly. Students also reviewed how to play up and down on the xylophone.

First grade students further explored the presence of two sounds on a beat this week. Students practiced tapping the beat while speaking the chant Queen, Queen Caroline. Students transferred the beat to a steady beat heart chart. (Hearts are used since our heart keeps a steady beat just like music!). After students were successful at using this chart, students were asked which hearts (which beats) have one sound and which hearts have two sounds. Students then read the rhythm of Queen, Queen Caroline by saying short-short for two sounds on a beat and long for one sound on a beat. We use 'short-short' and 'long' to assist students in understanding that eighth notes make shorter sounds (1/2 a beat) than quarter notes (1 beat). Students also began learning a new song for practicing rhythm entitled Bluebells and its fun movement game.

Second grade students learned a new folk dance this week, Galopede. In this dance, students learned to do-si-do, right hand turn, left hand turn, and how to move in a longways set. I have been very impressed with how well students are able to remember and execute these dances. Students also learned a new song containing the new low note do, Kingsland. In addition to singing this song, students learned a fun game in which students pretend to be thieves sneaking into the kings castle to steal his fine linens. If students are caught, they are sent to the dungeon! 

Third grade students continued to work on melodic notes do re mi sol and la this week. Students continued to review these notes by practicing a series of flashcards, exploring the notes in the song Great Big House in New Orleans, and learning a new song Sally Go 'Round the Sun. Students also finished a movement activity to the song Rig-a-Jig-Jig. This movement activity highlights the form of the song. Students were asked to describe what makes the two sections different (fast/slow, loud/quiet, different rhythm). Students then performed a two-part movement with a partner. Once students were secure in this movement, new parts were gradually added to challenge the students' memories.

Fourth grade students reviewed the recorder playing technique that they learned last week as well as notes B and A. Students then learned a new note: G. Students practiced playing short rhythmic patterns on each note and switching back and forth between the notes. Students also began learning to play the song Hot Cross Buns. Students were given two pages to take home. These pages contained a fingering chart, Hot Cross Buns, Gently Sleep, and Merrily We Roll Along. Students were instructed to practice Hot Cross Buns and were given the option of working ahead on the other two songs. 


Fifth grade students continued to focus on the rhythm pattern dotted quarter note/eighth note this week. Students learned a new song, Little Birch Tree, and listened for this song in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Students were led in a discussion about folk songs and the appearance of such songs in symphonies. Lastly, students began to focus on syncopation by learning a new song entitled Peg Leg the Pirate. This song, which contains a fun guessing game, is full of syncopated rhythms.

Mrs. Ellis's students enjoyed a brief music class prior to the Halloween parade and party. Students explored moving to the steady beat through songs Dem Bones and This is Halloween. Students also enjoyed sharing the name of their favorite candy in a song called Hippity Hop to the Candy Shop. Students also explored vocal sound effects in the story Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. On Wednesday, students reviewed the difference between loud and quiet sounds. Students responded to loud and quiet sounds on the drum. Students stomped for loud sounds and tiptoed for quiet sounds. Afterwards, students had the chance to practice playing loud and quiet sounds on a hand drum. Lastly, students began learning a new loud/quiet game to the song Lucy Locket.

Mrs. Ross's students reviewed the chant 2,4,6,8 and worked together to put the rhythm of this song in the correct order. Students then practiced reading the rhythm from beginning to end. Students also practiced writing quarter note and eighth note patterns using Popsicle sticks.


Mrs. Muller's students reviewed songs Li'l Liza Jane and Little Birch Tree in order to practice the rhythm dotted quarter note/eighth note. Students practiced a series of rhythm flashcards and enjoyed playing the rhythms on tambourines. Students also began learning the Canoe Song. This song will be used to introduce a new rhythm (syncopation). Lastly, students learned a series of rhythms and performed them to a recording of the Pink Panther Theme Song.