Week of November 13

Please feel free to stop by to see me during conferences if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress in music.  I will be available from noon-8pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Kindergarteners sang a Thanksgiving echo song this week and performed creative movements with the song.  They also played a singing game and played the gathering drum with this piece.

First graders did a composition activity this week.  They created a list of things for which they are thankful.  Then they determined the rhythms of each item on the list.  Students worked in groups to compose 4-beat rhythm patterns using the items on the list, and they performed their rhythms using rhythm syllables and the actual words.

Second graders performed several Thanksgiving songs this week.  They used unpitched percussion instruments and movements with a song called "Yummy Pumpkin Pie."  They also played Orff instruments and performed a dance to the "Turkey Tango."

Third graders read a book called When I First Came To This Land and sang a song of the same name.  They discussed the timbre of various unpitched percussion instruments, and they used these instruments to accompany their singing.

Fourth graders worked on their recorder music this week.  Students have music folders, which you should be seeing come home each night as they practice.  Please check in with your child to make sure they are practicing for a few minutes each evening.

Fifth graders worked on their final concert song this week.  Most students seem to enjoy playing all of the different instruments they get to play in this performance.

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