Week of September 23

Keep reading to find out what your child learned in music this week.

Kindergarteners used their singing voices to learn a song about ducks.  They decided that they should start it at a medium tempo, then they sang slowly when the ducks got tired, and they sang quickly when the ducks woke up for a new day.  They also performed a short assessment to show whether or not they could identify the four voices: whisper, talk, shout, and sing.

First graders performed two songs using Boomwhackers this week.  They started with "Deedle Deedle Dumpling" and ended the week with "Hickory Dickory Dock."  They enjoyed taking turns playing the different colored Boomwhackers.

Second graders arranged their "Peas Porridge Hot" compositions this week.  They decided where in the performance they wanted their "A" section (the melody they composed), and when they wanted to perform the "B" section (the spoken poem).  They determined whether all students should play everything or if only certain instruments should play at a time.  They did a nice job with this activity!

Third graders learned that the first beat of each measure is usually the strongest whether there are two, three, or four beats in each measure.  They enjoyed playing a rhythm reading game that is similar to Tic Tac Toe.  Students also performed an ostinato and improvised two-measure patterns over the ostinato.  They seemed to have fun with these activities.

Fourth graders began learning the letter names of the notes on the treble clef staff this week.  If your child needs extra practice with this, they can play the Note Name Game on their Chromebooks.  They really enjoyed playing a review game called "Staff Wars" in class.

Fifth graders have now begun singing all six of their concert pieces, and they have learned the movements for the first five.  They should be continuing to practice their Concert Music each night at home.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any point during the year: ecrutchfield@nssd112.org