6th Grade: Jingle Bell Rhythm Play-Along

What do you do with one lesson between a performance and Christmas break?  Play instruments, of course!  This was fun, and also a good review of reading rhythms.  The rhythms were created by Denise Gagne.

Burns: Winter Fantasy

Mrs. Burns' homeroom worked on reading a two-staff system while learning this partner song.

Jingle Bell Rhythmic Play-Along

The students enjoyed this rhythm workout with by Denise Gagne.   This is Mrs. Petrovitch's homeroom.

Head: "Clap Your Hands"

The kindergarten music classes learned about AB form with this song.  Watch as they move on the A part and stand still with hands together on the B part.  This is from Primary Dances and Singing Games, by Denise Gagne.

Jackson: "Elephants Have Wrinkles"

The kindergarten classes enjoyed learning this fun movement song.  They're having so much fun that they don't even realize that they are working on walking to the beat!  This is from a collection by Denise Gagne called Movement Songs Children Love. 

Balsbaugh: "We Are Fifth Grade"

The fifth grade classes reviewed the scale, and rhythms with this catchy little tune.  Listen for the syncopated rhythm (short-long-short)  in the scale pattern.  Despite the serious looks on their faces, the students really enjoyed this.  (They were a bit camera shy)

Mrs. Knight's Class: Angry Bird Rhythms

The second graders have been working with rhythms using quarter notes (doo), eighth notes (doo-day) and quarter rests (silence).  Here is Mrs. Knight's class tapping out some rhythms to the "Angry Birds Theme".

Mbira Jam: 2:00 6th Grade

The first videos of the 2013-2014 school year are of our 6th graders.  They are performing a piece called "Mbira Jam" from the collection, Hot Marimba,  by Walt Hampton  I am very proud of the way they all worked together to make this piece happen!  

Mbira Jam 1:00 6th Grade

Here is the 1:00 6th Grade music class playing "Mbira Jam" from the collection, Hot Marimba by Walt Hampton. I think we need more Bass Xylophones!

Third Graders, Future Conductors?

The third graders finished up their study of the orchestra with a look at conducting.  Here is Mrs. Yoker's Class conducting along with Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 6".  This piece of music has a little bit of everything. Watch as the students change tempo, cue the percussion, change style and dynamics.  What fun!

Mrs. Fonville's Class Makes Oboe Reeds-Sort Of!

The third grade music classes have been learning about the instrument families of the orchestra.  As part of learning about the woodwinds, the students made an "oboe reed" from a plastic drinking straw. Cutting the end of a straw into a point allows the tip to vibrate against itself in the same way a double reed works for an oboe, English horn, and bassoon. Watch this short video to hear the results!  Watch out Duck Dynasty!

Mrs. O'Banion: "Pop Goes the Weasel"

Mrs. O'Banion's class is shown here performing a dance to "Pop Goes the Weasel".  This is the 2nd in a series of folk dances that all the 2nd graders have learned. This dance is from Step Lively 3 by Marian Rose.  This dance is perfect for classes that have extra energy!

6th Grade: "The Homework Blues"

The 6th grade music class learned about the Blues, 12-Bar Blues in particular, and chords.  Then they wrote their own blues song about what else--------homework!

Petrovitch: Pizzicato Polka

The 3rd grade classes are studying the 4 families of the orchestra.  As part of our study of the string family, we listened to "Pizzicato Polka" by Strauss.  Here is Mrs. Petrovitch's class playing percussion instruments to the rhythms of the piece.  This listening map is from John Jacobson's Music Express.

Miss Hapner's Class: "Down the River"

The 2nd grade music classes have been dancing!  Here is Miss Hapner's class dancing to "Down the River". This music and dance is in AB (verse-refrain)  form with a coda.

This dance can be found in Step Lively 3, by Marian Rose.

Mrs. Head: "Smiling Irish"

The kindergarten classes enjoyed playing rhythm instruments to "The Smiling Irish", a medley of 2 Irish songs, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" and "The Irish Washerwoman".

This arrangement is from John Jaobson's Music Express.

Mrs. Asher-Williams: Miss White

The second graders composed an original melody to the poem, "Miss White".

Mrs. O'Banion: Miss White

The second graders composed an original melody to the poem, "Miss White".

Miss Hapner: Miss White

The second graders composed an original melody to the poem, "Miss White".

Mrs. Grimm: Miss White

The second graders composed an original melody to the poem, "Miss White".