Fall went by so quickly! We have been very busy in music class this season. Here's a little update about what we have been working on!
Students in 4th and 5th grades have been playing games and doing activities to help them review note names and values. They also learned about Medieval and Renaissance music while studying a few composers from those time periods. In October, they learned about Antonio Vivaldi and listened to his concerto "The Four Seasons." Students enjoyed listening to each piece and making connections to the season it portrayed. Around Halloween time, 4th and 5th graders composed their own spooky rhythms in different time signatures.
Students in 4th and 5th grades have been playing games and doing activities to help them review note names and values. They also learned about Medieval and Renaissance music while studying a few composers from those time periods. In October, they learned about Antonio Vivaldi and listened to his concerto "The Four Seasons." Students enjoyed listening to each piece and making connections to the season it portrayed. Around Halloween time, 4th and 5th graders composed their own spooky rhythms in different time signatures.
Students in 3rd grade have been learning to sing, sign, and notate the notes Do, Re, Mi, Sol, and La. They have also been practicing reading rhythms using whole notes, whole rests, half notes, and half rests. In October, students learned about the difference between music in a major key (which sounds happy) and music in a minor key (which sounds spooky or sad.)
Second grade students have been learning how to sing, sign, and notate the notes Sol, Mi, and La. They have also been reviewing the rhythms that they know - quarter note ("Ta"), quarter rest ("Sh"), and eighth notes ("Ti-Ti"). In October, students practiced showing Forte (loud) and Piano (quiet).
In 1st grade, students have been dancing, singing, and playing instruments to practice keeping the steady beat and showing same and different. They have been learning about quarter notes ("Ta"), quarter rests ("Shh"), and eighth notes ("Ti-Ti"). In October, students practiced hearing, showing, and playing up/down and high/low.
Kindergartners have been learning about music by taking imaginary trips to the farm. Each week they "met" a new animal which introduced a new instrument. Each student got a turn to play the new instrument of the week, including tambourine, cowbell, maracas, and woodblock. Kindergartners have also been practicing using their singing versus speaking voice, showing the steady beat, and listening to high/low, short/long, fast/show, and same/different.