Week of January 7

We had a great first week back from break!  Read on to learn about some of the highlights from your child's music classes.

Kindergarteners read a book featuring an Indonesian folk song called "Burung Kakatua."  They sang, played instruments, and did movements with this song.  I have heard quite a few kindergarteners singing this song around the building, so you may have heard it at home, too!

First graders worked on their sight-singing this week.  They began reading music using the pitch "la" on the staff, and they were excited to play a couple of singing games.

Second graders focused on their sight-singing this week, too.  They played a singing game and a drumming game with the songs they sight-read.

Third graders worked on singing with proper vocal technique this week.  They enjoyed performing some silly vocal warm-ups and learning a song called "Dance for the Nations."

Fourth graders only have a week and a half left of their recorder unit.  Some students have set personal goals for themselves about the belts they want to earn in this unit.  They should make sure they are practicing their instruments for a couple of minutes each evening to help them achieve these goals.

Fifth graders performed a body percussion piece this week.  When I first demonstrated the song for them, many students said they felt overwhelmed and thought they wouldn't be able to learn it.  After breaking the song down into small chunks, all students were able to perform it successfully!  They will be using the parts in this song to create their own body percussion compositions.

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