1st Grade Stick Compositions

1st graders learned how to make rhythms using popsicle sticks this week, inspired by listening to the book "Freddie the Frog and the Mysterious Wahooo!" Their rhythm choices were beat (quarter note), beat-t (eighth notes), Beat-e-t-a (sixteenth notes), and rest (quarter rest). They used the heart beat strips to help make 4 beats of rhythm. Then they clapped and said the beats and performed their composition for the class on the drum. Lastly, they made some more rhythms and played them on the egg shakers.

Students will use this skill again next week during their Valentine's Day lesson for our informances. We are excited to welcome parents into the music room soon! :-)

3rd Grade Note Naming

3rd graders have been learning note names on the treble staff in music. We have used many fun videos, games, activities, and stations to help us remember the note names. For the past two weeks students have been rotating through 7 different note naming stations. Enjoy some pictures of the fun!

Pirate Practice Note Naming

Swat the Note

Pirate Note Memory Match Up

Note Naming Worksheets

Staff Spelling Bee

Pirate Color by Note

Note Naming Beanbag Toss

1st Grade Informances Feb. 7-10

The 1^st graders have been busy this school year singing, dancing, playing instruments, learning about sound opposites, and much more in the music room! Mitchell School and Ms. Moon would like to invite you to the First Grade Informances, the week of February 7-10^th, during your child’s music special time.

An informance is a chance for parents to see what a typical music class is like here at Mitchell School. Unlike a performance where parents see a concert that has been taught and rehearsed for months, an informance shows and informs parents what kind of activities students do in music class every week.

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 first grade music time the week of February 7-10^th; parents can sit and watch the class in action! (Aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. are ok too). J Adults only please.

INFORMANCE TIMES by Class:

Tuesday, February 7^th:

Ms. Scott= 1:00-1:45 PM

Ms. Staulcup= 2:10-2:55 PM

Wednesday, February 8^th:

Mrs. Ray= 12:05-12:50 PM

Mrs. McEachern= 2:10-2:55 PM *(Not normal music day due to another event)

Thursday, February 9^th:

Mrs. Greene= 1:00-1:45 PM

Friday, February 10^th:

Mrs. Dorazio= 1:00-1:45 PM *(Not normal music time due to another event)

3rd Grade Chorus is starting!

3^rd Grade CHORUS

Hello 3^rd grade students and parents/guardians!

Do you love to sing? Did you have fun performing in the Winter Concert? Then join Ms. Moon in the music room for 3^rd grade chorus! Chorus is similar to preparing for our winter concert but is special just for 3^rd graders. Anyone in 3^rd grade may join and is certainly welcome. Everyone is encouraged to try singing in chorus! Chorus will meet every Monday/Wednesday from 8:05-8:25 am from Monday, February 13^th through Wednesday, May 3^rd (excluding school vacations).

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about chorus:

Will I get to perform for an audience?

- YES, definitely! Chorus will end the school year with a performance on Thursday, May 4^th, at 2:30 PM in the Mitchell School gymnasium. The whole school will get to watch, as well as any 3^rd grade parents that are able to attend. The chorus will also have the opportunity to perform for the Kittery School Board Committee, date TBA.

What is expected of me if I join chorus?

- Chorus members are expected to participate in all rehearsals and performances. Although chorus is a fun time for singing and dancing, it is still a class where work takes place. We must prepare for our stellar concert performances after all! J Caring and safe behavior is a must.

Do I have to get to school by 8:05 am to be in chorus?

-Yes. Doors to the school open at 8:05 am and we will begin chorus rehearsal promptly in the music room. This means you will miss school breakfast and morning recess time on Mondays and Wednesdays, but it is well worth it, and we will have a great time singing and dancing!

How do I sign up for chorus?

- Return the permission slip that was sent home on Friday, January 13th signed by your parent/guardian to Ms. Moon no later than Friday, January 20^th.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Cultures Unit Grade 2

Grade 2 is doing a cultures unit in their classrooms so we are doing the same countries in music class!
Our first stop is China! Here are students doing a Chinese ribbon dance. Students also got to play the woodblocks and the Chinese gong!

Mrs. DeLuca's Class Ribbon Dance

Ms. Sallade's Class

Mrs. Downs' Class

We visited Antarctica in music and did some fun activities revolving around penguins. Students played instruments while reading rhythms during the poem "Four Little Penguins". The penguins keep counting down until all the penguins were playing underneath the ice!

Mrs. Down's Class

Winter Snowflakes Orff Grade 2

2nd graders are learning a fun song this week called "Winter Snowflakes". They learn to play three different parts: The Orff barred instruments (xylophones and metallophones), egg shakers, and finger cymbals. On part A all students play and sing the song. On part B the student sitting at the small glockenspiel gets to improvise and play whatever he/she wants, making sure to land on note "C" to end the improvisation. Then all students rotate to the left and play a new instrument!
(Lesson idea found here, thanks O For Tuna Orff!)

Ms. Sallade's Class

Ms. Sallade's Class

Grade K Ice Skates in Music!

Grade K students ice skated in music this week using paper plates! Students first learned about ice skating at the winter olympics and got to watch some examples. They clapped, and loved the twists, turns, and lifts! Then students ice skated using their paper plates to some famous waltzes. Students then did an olympic "speed skating" obstacle course. They weaved in and out of the cones to get an egg shaker at one end and had to shake it while skating back to the finish line. So fun!

Ms. McCluskey's Class Speed Skating

Lastly, students did an ice skating vocal game where they moved their voices like the ice skater on the screen, going up, down, and all around! Then they each got to draw their own ice skating path and followed it with their voices.