Wow!! The year is already half over!! I can't believe how fast the first part of the school year goes every year, but now we are here. I wanted to give you all an update for what is happening in music at The Wheatlands now that we're back in school. I can get back to posting fun pictures and songs as we get back into this fun part of our learning for the year!
1st Grade
These kids are about to start learning about rhythms. They are learning to write and dictate basic rhythm symbols in first grade, and I like to do it in a different way with different centers for the kids to work in. Rhythm is something that you learn a bit about and then it is really about practicing what you learned, so students are going to get a chance to work a lot independently and with a group or a partner doing different games with rhythms. They are going to have a blast. If you don't understand what rhythm symbols are or don't have a music background, check out the School Website link to see what 1st grade rhythms are going to look like!
2nd Grade
We are going to start off the semester learning about Patriotic Music. They are going to learn about different marches that represent our country, learn about the history behind the Star Spangled Banner, and also catch a glimpse into different parts of our country while we learn about Patriotic music. Goals they have for this unit include being able to tell what makes a song Patriotic (words said, familiar melodies), where and when patriotic songs are most likely heard, and what to do during the Star Spangled Banner.
3rd Grade
African American Spirituals are what we are talking about in 3rd Grade right now. This is definitely a unit that brings up a lot of good discussion, and I encourage you to talk to your child about some of the things that are brought up in music class when we are learning about these songs. For example, the first activity that we did was that I had students write on a post it note, something that they think is different about them from everyone else in their class. They didn't put a name on the post it, but I read them out loud and generalized the statement (if one said my brother Bob and I like Disney Infinity, I just said who likes Disney Infinity) and had students raise their hands to show that they had this "difference" too. They learn that the things they think make them different aren't as different as they think they are... leading to how people are similar in so many ways. This unit brings up a lot of talk about learning from people who are different from us and embracing the history of different groups of people.
4th Grade
SEA SHANTIES!!! This is a favorite unit of mine because the students get to explore a group of songs and a lifestyle (shipboard life) from the 1800s. We talk about how songs are passed through generations, how songs can tell stories, and so much. Sea Shanties were work songs that were created a long time ago, so in the end, the students get to pick a random topic to create a silly sea shantey and perform it for the class. I love showing kids how music fits in our history!
5th Grade
Fifth Graders are working on reviewing their rhythms and note names from previous years. This is a huge undertaking because they have been working on these things since first grade, so they have a lot of knowledge in their heads! We are going to add one new rhythm symbol and do lots of games and fun activities to remind us of what each symbol means. The best thing you can do to help your child with this unit is to help them remember how many beats each symbol receives. You can find a handy chart on the school site above to help your child study!
Honor Choir!!!!!!
My favorite thing every year!!! Honor Choir starts up this week!!! If you can't already tell... I'm a little excited to have my 126 kids come and sing with me each week. I will be sending out an e-mail to Honor Choir parents reminding about dates and attaching a calendar if you lost it. It is also attached below for you to print out as well. 1st-3rd grade parents, this is something you can look forward to in 4th and 5th grade for your student to be a part of!
Honor Choir Calendar
That's it for now, I hope you hear plenty of stories and learn tons from your student when they tell you about the fun things we are doing in music class this month!!
