Week of January 30

Parents of 3rd & 4th grade students:  Make sure your calendar is marked for the upcoming Spring Sing!  The evening performance is Wednesday, May 3 - 7pm at Elm Place Middle School.  The assembly will be held during the school day on Monday, May 1 for WT students and staff.  All 3rd & 4th grade students are expected to participate in this event.

Kindergarteners read a book called So-me in Space, which helped them to learn their first two music symbols.  They learned that the quarter note gets one beat of sound and is counted by clapping and saying "ta," and the quarter rest gets one beat of silence and is counted by saying "shh."  Students created musical phrases using quarter notes and quarter rests while their classmates performed the phrases.

First graders began studying the instrument families of the orchestra this week.  They learned that the instruments have many things in common with the members of their families, just like we all have things in common with members of our own families.  They specifically focused on the brass instruments this week: trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba.

Second graders composed rhythm stick movements to "John Kanakanaka" this week.  They learned that this song is in call and response form.  They performed their compositions for the class, and then assessed their own performances.

Third and fourth graders began learning the music for their Spring Sing this week.  The theme of their concert is the Wright brothers.  They started learning the first song, which is called "We Will Fly."  Most students are very excited about it already!

Fifth graders continued working on their recorder music this week.  At this point, all students have tested for their white belt.  Most students have earned their white belt, but some will re-test next week.  Students should be practicing for 5-10 minutes per night at home.

As always, please free to contact me with any questions or concerns: ecrutchfield@nssd112.org