Week of October 6

We celebrated Anti-Bullying Week throughout this week.  Students wore blue in support of the anti-bullying campaign, and they participated in various activities to prevent bullying.  Keep reading to learn about some of the things your child learned during music!

Kindergarteners in Ms. Tepper's afternoon class played a singing game where each student performed a solo.  Student in Ms. Tepper's morning class learned that they each have four voices:  singing, speaking, whispering, and calling.  They used these voices in various songs.

First graders worked on differentiating between the rhythm and the steady beat this week.  They also played a series of music games, called "Crutchfield Corners."  These games help them do things like identify the way percussion instruments make their sounds, figure out which items get loud or soft sounds, and read rhythms.

Second graders arranged the versions of "Peas Porridge Hot" that they composed previously.  They were then video recorded performing the piece, and they will do a self-assessment with the video next week.

Third graders performed "Down at the Station" using xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, boomwhackers, and sand blocks.  They were video recorded performing the piece and will do a self-assessment using the video next week.

Fourth graders continued working on the letter names of the notes on the staff.  For extra practice, they can click the link under "Fun Music Websites" called "Classics for Kids."  There is a note name game there that will be helpful for them.  They can also use a game called "Staff Wars" for extra practice.

Fifth graders learned an Irish folk song this week.  They worked very hard at learning some Irish dancing, as well.  They were very surprised at how tiring Irish dancing is!  Many students said that they were more exhausted after Irish dancing than they were after P.E. class!  All of their songs are available under the "Concert Music" section of the blog, and they should be practicing them at home.