Week of September 5

It was nice to see so many parents at Curriculum Night this past Wednesday!  I hope you found it to be an informative evening.  Keep reading to find out about what your child learned in Music this week.

Kindergarteners read a book called So-me Goes Missing, which introduced them to their first two pitches: sol and mi.  Sol is higher, and mi is lower.  They also sang a song called "Good Day Song," which helped them to distinguish between high and low sounds.  Students were very excited to play triangles and hand drums with this song.

First graders sang a song called "Lucy Locket" and played a singing game.  They focused on finding the steady beat in this song.  They also sang "Bounce High" and did a rhythmic dictation activity.

Second graders did a rhythmic dictation activity with "Closet Key."  They also focused on the difference between stationary and locomotor movements as they played a game with a Colombian folk song in AB form.

Third graders performed "Laugh, Ha, Ha" in a canon and then began learning a new song called "Down at the Station."  They accompanied their singing with boomwhackers.  Many students found it difficult to sing while playing an instrument on a different pattern.  They worked very hard with this.

Fourth graders spent some time reviewing many of the music symbols they have learned in previous years.  They were very excited to get their recorders this week!  Each student should now have a recorder that is kept in the music room at school and another that is kept at home.

Fifth graders continued working on playing "Ode to Joy" on the ukuleles.  The hardest part for many students seems to be the idea that their left hands and right hands are doing completely different things while they play.  They are doing a nice job playing the ukuleles.  Any student who wishes to practice at home can check out a ukulele from the Highland Park Public Library at no cost.  We are very lucky to have such a wonderful resource in our community!  If your child wishes to check out a ukulele, they are welcome to bring it to school if it needs to be tuned.  I would be happy to tune it, so they can practice more effectively.

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