Weekly Review 4/8 - 4/12

We've had such a wonderful week in music!!

The first graders completed their violin unit with a review of pizzicato on the G, D, A, and E strings.  It was fun to echo different patterns using these strings.  We also read a book called "Freddie the Frog," which follows a frog's adventure in the musical place where he lives.  He makes a new friend on his journey, and they love to play and listen to music together!   The students also finished watching a Musical Mystery Movie!

In second grade this week, the students completed their violin unit by learning how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."  We played it pizzicato, as well as arco (using the bow).  I asked the students for some feedback on the violin unit.  Most students had wonderful things to say, and the biggest complaint was that the unit wasn't long enough!  The instruments will be traveling over April vacation so that they can be enjoyed by the students at Fox Hill!

Third graders enjoyed their centers day with the two new games that we introduced last week:  Fiddlesticks and Tonal Patterns.  We also ran through all of the Recorder Karate belt songs up to Blue. This includes: Hot Cross Buns, Merrily We Roll Along, Gently Sleep, Lucy Locket, Old MacDonald, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Fourth and fifth grade students also concluded their violin unit.  All students played Hot Cross Buns, some classes played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and the fifth graders had the opportunity to play some very special instruments!

• The viola is similar to the violin- the playing position and technique is the same, but it is a bit larger.  That also means that the pitch is slightly lower.  
• The violin and the viola share the G, D, and A strings.  The E string on the violin is a fifth higher than the A string, and the viola's C string is a fifth lower than the G.  
• The cello is larger than the viola, and is played by placing the end pin on the floor, keeping the neck of the cello near your left shoulder, and the body between your legs.

You can see the size differences between the instruments of the string family in the photo below:

In chorus we spent a lot of time on the pitches and harmony in the "Three Elements" song.  We discussed the mood of each movement.  The fifth graders rehearsed the ending of "Singin' in the Rain," and the fourth graders ran through "Cool Under Fire"....memorized!!

We wish you a happy, relaxing, fun, and sunny April vacation! :)