Week of October 22

1st and 2nd grade informances are coming up soon!  Please see below for specific dates and times for your students' classes.

Kindergarteners created soundscapes this week.  They used unpitched percussion instruments to bring two different books to life.  They also acted out the stories.  The books they worked with were If You're A Monster And You Know It and There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!

First graders did several rhythmic dictation activities with Halloween songs this week.  They played the Orff instruments and played a couple of singing games, as well.  I hope you can join us for our upcoming informances!  You should have received a reminder notice this week.  If you need an extra sheet, please either email me or have your child pick one up in music class.  Informances will take place at the following times:

Monday, 11/5

1 Sagat: 10:20-10:50

1 Ruiz: 10:50-11:20

Tuesday, 11/6

1 Bond: 11:20-11:50

Second graders learned about the difference between major and minor keys this week.  They performed a spooky sounding song (in a minor key) on the Orff instruments and did a couple of rhythmic dictation activities.  I hope you can join us for our upcoming informances!  You should have received a reminder notice this week.  If you need an extra copy, please either email me or have your child pick one up in music class.  Informances will take place at the following times:

Wednesday, 11/7

2 Meekhof: 1:10-1:40

2 Kenar: 1:40-2:10

Thursday, 11/8

2 Elman: 12:40-1:10

Third graders accompanied their singing on the Orff instruments and arranged a song using these instruments.  They also learned some cultural traditions of the Maori people from New Zealand as they studied a Maori piece of music.

Fourth graders worked on the notes B, A, and G on the recorders this week.  They began working on the first song they will perform for a playing test, "Hot Cross Buns."  They should be practicing for about five minutes each night.  Students will be working on different songs at their various levels as we progress through the unit.  They will be testing each week and can earn pieces of string called "recorder belts" to tie to the bottom of their instruments.  All of their songs are available on the "Recorder Music" section of this blog.  They are password-protected, but students were given the password in class.  If they have trouble accessing the music, they can email me, and I will re-share the password with them.

Fifth graders started layering their instrument parts, singing solos, and speaking parts in with their concert music this week.  They are doing a really nice job with their songs.  Some students began recess rehearsals this week, and more will have rehearsals next week.

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