Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Happy Holidays!
This week the third and fourth graders watched a video of the ballet, "The Nutcracker." Younger students played xylophones to a December song, or discovered favorite songs in our music book series. Everyone seems excited for the coming vacation. I wish it to be safe and happy for you! See you next year!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mallets, Mallets, Mallets!
December 14, 2011
This week we have been playing the xylophones. We have a good set of “Orff style” instruments. (See if your child can tell you about the soprano, alto, bass xylophones, contra bass bars and glockenspiels.) These are made so that the tone bars can all be removed. The ‘wrong’ notes for a given song can be set aside and only ‘good’ sounds are produced. After some ‘mallet madness’ where we rotated frequently to give each student a chance to play each instrument, we are using xylophone patterns to accompany songs. Students have also been examining the form or structure of the songs, as different instruments are used in different sections.
Our stretching music has been from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. So far we have heard: The Chinese Dance and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. There has been discussion of the story and ballet in general. Older children will see a video of a New York performance before we break for vacation. Younger children will play some singing and moving games so we can continue to practice 'steady beat.'
This week we have been playing the xylophones. We have a good set of “Orff style” instruments. (See if your child can tell you about the soprano, alto, bass xylophones, contra bass bars and glockenspiels.) These are made so that the tone bars can all be removed. The ‘wrong’ notes for a given song can be set aside and only ‘good’ sounds are produced. After some ‘mallet madness’ where we rotated frequently to give each student a chance to play each instrument, we are using xylophone patterns to accompany songs. Students have also been examining the form or structure of the songs, as different instruments are used in different sections.
Our stretching music has been from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. So far we have heard: The Chinese Dance and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. There has been discussion of the story and ballet in general. Older children will see a video of a New York performance before we break for vacation. Younger children will play some singing and moving games so we can continue to practice 'steady beat.'
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
We've had a Busy Beginning
Oops! I’ve noticed that again it’s been a long time since I have made an entry here. I resolve to make more frequent entries so that you can be aware of the activities that we are doing in music class.
We started the year with lots of movement activities, games and folk dances. All of these are intended to help us practice keeping a steady beat. We are also able to discuss cultures pertaining to the folk dances. Younger students played: Shooliloo, Going Down to Town, Bow Wow Wow, Shoo Fly, Bear Hunt and acted out Five Little Ducks. Older students participated in: Rig a Jig Jig, Paw Paw Patch, Amassee and How Do You Do?
In addition, all students have had a chance to discuss the string family of instruments and try playing a violin. Everyone also had a chance to play the autoharp. Younger students played with a partner, one holding the buttons and the other strumming. Older students played alone and used multiple chords.
Our fourth graders were invited to lead a segment of this year’s World’s Largest Concert. They taped their portion on November 29. The concert, which is a project of the National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC,) will be distributed in March. Check here later for details about seeing it in your own home.
We started the year with lots of movement activities, games and folk dances. All of these are intended to help us practice keeping a steady beat. We are also able to discuss cultures pertaining to the folk dances. Younger students played: Shooliloo, Going Down to Town, Bow Wow Wow, Shoo Fly, Bear Hunt and acted out Five Little Ducks. Older students participated in: Rig a Jig Jig, Paw Paw Patch, Amassee and How Do You Do?
In addition, all students have had a chance to discuss the string family of instruments and try playing a violin. Everyone also had a chance to play the autoharp. Younger students played with a partner, one holding the buttons and the other strumming. Older students played alone and used multiple chords.
Our fourth graders were invited to lead a segment of this year’s World’s Largest Concert. They taped their portion on November 29. The concert, which is a project of the National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC,) will be distributed in March. Check here later for details about seeing it in your own home.
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