We're Back - Again

Good morning! Ah, a bright new week! Of course there was the slow start with a snow day, but we're working in music to get things back on track. All classes will be seeing a demonstration of the clarinet this week (that's the instrument that I play in the Central Michigan Area Concert Band. Watch for our concerts.) We will also be wrapping up some note reading practice with Rhythm Bingo. I was able to see some terrific sessions at the Michigan Music Conference, focusing on the latest in Orff, Kodaly and Delcroze. These are all different approaches to teaching music. I tend to choose portions of each method to use at Vowles in hopes of reaching each child with something that is in their own style of learning. New ideas will be sneaking into music classes soon. Oh, and ask your child about the picture of the contra-bass flute. (It's a most unusual instrument that I had a chance to try at the conference.)

Strange Week

Wow! What a week we've had! First the school closing for health issues, then a snow day. It seems like since a long time since I've seen the students! Elementary music teachers had a good professional development day on Monday. We now have many new resources to use. Today, the classes will try to tie up some loose ends from last week. I will be out of school Thursday and Friday to attend the Michigan Music Conference. I'm looking forward to seeing the latest in music education and learning new things for the students to do. I'm also looking forward to a 'normal' week next week. Enjoy yours!

We're Back!

We're back in full swing! I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and break. The first day back was a little chilly at Vowles, so we 'stepped up' into some play party games. Play parties are an American tradition from the mid 1800's. They were used during the time of western expansion to allow children to have a socially acceptable manner of meeting other people. Play party games usually involve partners (and changing them often) and often include beginning folk dance steps of the time. Fourth Graders played, "The Happy Miller." Kindergartners and First Graders played different variations of, "Naughty Kitty Cat." Ask your children how the games are played.
This week we are focusing on rhythms and rhythmic notation. We have all enjoyed drum circles and are now practicing the writing of rhythms with craft sticks. We will tie this up with the playing of Rhythm Bingo.