Grade K draws to the Music

This week Grade K students did a lesson on Dr. Seuss' book "My Many Colored Days." At the end of the lesson students got to draw like the music sounded and pick what color they think the music sounded like.

Land of the Silver Birch- Native American Song

3rd graders learned about Native American music last week to correlate with learning about Native Americans in their classrooms. They learned a Native American folk song called "Land of the Silver Birch". The lyrics are:

"Land of the Silver Birch. Home of the beaver.

Where still the mighty moose wanders at will.

Blue lake and rocky shore, I will return once more.

Boom-di-dee boom boom, boom di-dee boom boom,

Boom-di-dee boom boom, boom."

Students played the xylophones, drums, and bells. Bells and xylophones used a "Beat, rest" rhythm while the drums played on the steady beat. After each time singing the song students rotated to a new instrument.

Instrument set-up around the music circle.

I got the Orff arrangement from here. :-)

High/Low Songs on the Stretchy Band

1st graders learn about sound opposites throughout the year. They just learned about the opposites high and low. In the two videos below students perform the song "High Low Song" by MusicK8. View the video here!

Students were excited to use the music room's new stretchy band! We were able to purchase this awesome new stretchy band through our Best Seat in the House Raffle at our Winter Concert. 

Ms. Nealey's Class

Mrs. Jagentenfl's Class

The song below called "bounce high, bounce low" showed the high, middle, and low notes using the stretchy band.

Mrs. Greer's Class

Toothy Rhythms Grade K

Kindergarteners did a lesson on loosing their baby teeth. First they sang a song called "Bye Bye Baby Tooth." Then students created a toothy rhythm as a class on the smartboard using teeth as "beats" and lost teeth gaps as "rests".

Then students each got to compose their own rhythms using paper lips and teeth.

Finally, two students got to be the tooth fairies and when they tapped a student's shoulder that student became a lost tooth and ever so slowly sat down, to the music of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies!"

1st grade Stick Rhythms

1st graders used the book "Freddie the Frog and the Mysterious Wahooo!" to learn about tempo and rhythms. Then they got to use the popsicle sticks to make their own rhythms.

"Ice Skating" in music

Kindergarteners got to go "ice skating" using paper plates! How fun. :-)

First graders (Mrs. Greer's class in video) learn a ribbon routine and dance to: 

Émile Waldteufel's - The Skater's Waltz, Op. 183

3rd Graders Learn Note Names!

The 3rd graders just finished a big note naming unit! We did a few weeks of learning what the music staff is and how to name notes on the treble staff. Then we did 2 weeks of note naming rotation stations. Students had a blast! Note naming is so valuable as students move on to the middle school and have ensemble opportunities like band and chorus. Some students told me learning the note names helped them to play instruments and read music they have at home! :-)

Here are some links to favorite note naming videos students saw:
Grand Staff Intro
Gina and the Treble Clef
Every Good Boy Does Fine- Lines
FACE- Spaces
Lines & Spaces Song
I Knew You Were Treble- Taylor Swift Parody

Class beanbag toss. Is it a line or a space note?

Drawing the Treble Clef.

Playing songs on the boomwhackers

Swatting the correct rhythm

Beanbag toss to names notes

Getting ready to swat the right note that is called.

Spelling words on the staff

Color by note worksheet

Playing "Staff Wars" on the iPads

Playing songs on the boomwhackers

Naming notes on the staff

3rd Grade Informance Week March 21-25

The third graders have been busy this school year singing, playing instruments, naming notes, dancing, and much more in the music classroom! Mitchell School would like to invite you to the Third Grade Informances, the week of March 21-25, during your child’s normal music time.

An informance is a chance for parents to see what a typical music class is like. It is process based rather than product based. Unlike a performance where parents see a concert that has been taught and rehearsed for months (product-based), an informance informs parents what kind of activities students do in music class every week (process-based). J Students do not practice for an informance; they just show up and participate normally as they do in music. You are invited and welcome to come during your child’s third grade music time the week of March 21-25; parents can sit and watch the class in action!

Below are the times our informances will take place:

Monday, March 21:

Mrs. Peternell’s class: 11:00-11:45 am

Tuesday, March 22:

Mrs. Normandin’s class: 11:00-11:45 am

Wednesday, March 23:

Mrs. Perry’s class: 11:00-11:45 am

Thursday, March 24:

Mrs. Wilson’s class: 11:00-11:45 am

Friday, March 25:

Ms. Lantz’s class: 11:00-11:45 am