Week of February 27

Wayne Thomas students and staff had a great time celebrating Dr. Seuss this week!  Read on to learn about some highlights from your child's music class.

Kindergarteners used hand drums and tambourines to perform rhythms containing quarter notes (ta) and quarter rests (shh).  They also began analyzing the nursery rhyme, "Wee Willie Winkie" in order to figure out how they could play this using the Orff instruments.

First graders did a couple of different experiments in music this week.  They studied J.S. Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor" and used food coloring to represent the different instruments.  When the song began, it was very easy to hear each individual instrument and see each individual color.  As the song progressed and more instruments entered, it got harder to identify the separate instruments and colors.  They also used pop bottles to see how a flute mouthpiece works.  Instead of blowing into the hole, you blow across the top of it to produce a sound.  They discovered that the pitches of the bottles changed depending on how much water was in the bottle.  They also read a book called The Remarkable Farkle McBride.  This book tells the story of a boy who struggled to find the instrument that was just right for him.  Take a look at Mrs. Crutchfield's Twitter account (@ecrutchfield112) to see some pictures from this week's activities!  (You can access the Twitter account from the main page of this music blog and clicking on "Follow" on the left side of the page.)

Second graders had lots of fun singing and playing a shoe-passing game this week.  They used this game to focus on the difference between the macrobeat (big beat) and microbeat (small beat).  They also sang a song called "Clapping Land," which they used for a movement activity focusing on stationary and locomotor movements.

Third and fourth graders continued working on their concert music this week.  At this point, all classes have learned the first 3 songs with movements.  They have also learned the first half of the fourth song with movements.  (The fourth song is very long, so they will be learning it in two parts.)  Third and fourth graders are participating in a sticker contest during music class.  They can earn up to two stickers per class.  One sticker is earned for participating appropriately and trying their best in class.  The other can be earned for being prepared for class by working on their music at home.  Currently, Mrs. Lorenz's class is leading the third grade, and Mrs. Silberman's class is leading the fourth grade.

Fifth graders continued working on their recorder music this week.  Students are at a wide range of levels.  A few people are still working on their second song, while some others are already working on their eighth song.  You should hear your child practicing for at least five minutes each night at home.  See this TED Talk for some insight into the importance of consistent practicing.

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