September was busy month full of new experiences and learning opportunities as students and staff settled back into the school routine. In music, students practiced modeling expected behaviors as well as reviewing skills and information they learned previously. Here is a little information about what each grade level worked on this month:
Composer's Corner
Students in 4th and 5th grade study a new composer each month. They learn a bit about the composer's life and get to listen to the music the composer wrote. The September composer of the month was Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach is the most famous composer from the Baroque era. The students learned what a "fugue" is and listened to the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach. Click on the link below to listen to this cool piece played on the organ!
5th Grade
Fifth grade students learned about chords this month. A chord is more than one note played at the same time, creating harmony. The students practiced identifying the difference between I chords and V chords and performing both on xylophones. They also played a few fun music games called Music Circle and Note and Rest Tic Tac Toe.
4th Grade
Students in 4th grade played a game called Steal the Bacon where two teams raced to find the correct rhythms (bacon) on the floor. The students really enjoyed the game, and it was also great for reviewing rhythms, especially sixteenth notes! The students also learned a new syncopated rhythm - "Beat And - And" - and they practiced it using body percussion, games, and instruments.
3rd Grade
Third grade students learned about whole notes and practiced singing and playing the notes Mi, Re, Do. They also worked on performing in two parts, improvising on instruments, and reading notes on the five line staff. They reviewed a fun dance in AB form called La Raspa from Mexico, too!
2nd Grade
The second graders practiced keeping a steady beat through games, singing, and playing instruments. They also reviewed how to hear and show the notes Sol, Mi, and La. They enjoyed playing an instrument guessing game where they had to identify different classroom instruments by sound only.
1st Grade
First grade students did a lot of work on steady beat this month. They practiced moving to and writing the steady beat as well as its name - "Ta." Students also learned how to play up and down on the xylophone and practiced singing solos.
Kindergarten
The kindergarteners began a farm unit in music. Each week. the songs, poems, and dances focus on a new animal. The students also learn how to play a new classroom instrument each week. During September, the students sang about ducks, hens, lambs, and cows, and they learned to play the rhythm sticks, tambourine, maracas, and cowbell! Each kindergarten music class includes a lot of movement, games, and singing as students practice important music skills.