Here are the two videos of the 1st Grade Winter Showcase:
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Friday, December 15, 2017
Weekly Review 12/11-12/15
It was a big week for our 4th and 5th grade students! We would like to CONGRATULATE them on a wonderful performance on Wednesday night!
Our first grade students are working hard to prepare for their Winter Showcase on Wednesday, December 20th at 1:30pm. We hope to see you all there! We reviewed the songs that we will be singing and also learned Jingle Bells in sign language. Here is Mrs. Gearin's class singing, dancing and signing to the verse and refrain.
The second graders continued watching the New York City Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. Next week, they will follow a listening map to another dance from The Nutcracker.
The third grade students are continuing to learn music notation. This week they reviewed the parts of the staff as well as the line and space notes. Then they played a fun staff games to reinforce what they have learned. The game is played on the floor staff - "On Your Mark, Get Set, Notate!" Here are pictures of two students playing musical twister:
Our first grade students are working hard to prepare for their Winter Showcase on Wednesday, December 20th at 1:30pm. We hope to see you all there! We reviewed the songs that we will be singing and also learned Jingle Bells in sign language. Here is Mrs. Gearin's class singing, dancing and signing to the verse and refrain.
The second graders continued watching the New York City Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. Next week, they will follow a listening map to another dance from The Nutcracker.
The third grade students are continuing to learn music notation. This week they reviewed the parts of the staff as well as the line and space notes. Then they played a fun staff games to reinforce what they have learned. The game is played on the floor staff - "On Your Mark, Get Set, Notate!" Here are pictures of two students playing musical twister:
Here are some pictures from the 4th and 5th Grade Winter Concert on Wednesday evening. Videos of the concert will be posted in the next few days.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, December 8, 2017
Weekly Review 12/4 - 12/8
This week, the first graders have been continuing to prepare for their Winter Showcase (December 20th). One of the songs they will sing is about a sleigh ride in the snow. I'm sure you know it - Jingle Bells! We talked about the verse and the refrain, then did a great passing game with our wrist bells. The students who got the bells when it was time for the refrain got to play them during that section of the song. They also learned about The Nutcracker, a famous ballet by Tchaikovsky. The students learned a special finger dance to go along with the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.
The second grade students learned about an important Jewish holiday - Hanukkah. We read them a book about latkes and applesauce, then they sang a song that connects with the story. They also reviewed their Nutcracker dance from last week, then got a special treat. They started to watch the Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet! Unlike a play or musical, the performers in a ballet don't speak - the story is told by their movement, as well as the words spoken by the narrator. We will finish the movie next week!
The third graders reviewed the symbols on the staff that they learned last week. Then, they sang a song to help them remember the order of the line notes and space notes on the staff, called "I Don't Know the Notes." We will be continuing to review how to read musical notation for the next few weeks to prepare the students for the recorder.
Some students had a visit from the middle school music teacher, Mr. Mullen. They had so much fun playing and singing with the stretchy band!
The fourth and fifth graders are all ready for next week's concert! We hope you join us on Wednesday, December 13th (9:00 a.m. for students, 7:00 p.m. for parents and families).
Have a wonderful weekend!
The second grade students learned about an important Jewish holiday - Hanukkah. We read them a book about latkes and applesauce, then they sang a song that connects with the story. They also reviewed their Nutcracker dance from last week, then got a special treat. They started to watch the Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet! Unlike a play or musical, the performers in a ballet don't speak - the story is told by their movement, as well as the words spoken by the narrator. We will finish the movie next week!
The third graders reviewed the symbols on the staff that they learned last week. Then, they sang a song to help them remember the order of the line notes and space notes on the staff, called "I Don't Know the Notes." We will be continuing to review how to read musical notation for the next few weeks to prepare the students for the recorder.
Some students had a visit from the middle school music teacher, Mr. Mullen. They had so much fun playing and singing with the stretchy band!
The fourth and fifth graders are all ready for next week's concert! We hope you join us on Wednesday, December 13th (9:00 a.m. for students, 7:00 p.m. for parents and families).
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Weekly Review 11/27-12/1
We can't believe we are heading into the month of December. Here is what we did in music this week:
Our first graders completed their Bluebird activity from last week. The game helped us review the difference between high and low pitch. Then, we continued to work on Peppermint Candy Cane, a song that we will sing for our Showcase on December 20th! A letter should have gone home on Friday inviting you all to our 1st Grade Winter Showcase. If not, here is the letter:
The second grade students learned about our new composer for December, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He is a Russian composer who wrote The Nutcracker. We reviewed the March (a song from The Nutcracker that they danced to in first grade). Each student listened carefully to the different themes in the song and moved like soldiers, puppets, and mice! Then, they learned a brand new dance for the Trepak. The students even danced with scarves! Here are some pictures of our second grade friends reviewing the parts of the Marche.
The third graders have started their music notation unit to help prepare them for the recorder. First, they learned about the staff, and then we added the treble clef, time signature, bar lines, double bar line, repeat sign , and labeled the measures. The students did a wonderful job drawing and labeling these musical items. Here are some pictures:
We hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Our first graders completed their Bluebird activity from last week. The game helped us review the difference between high and low pitch. Then, we continued to work on Peppermint Candy Cane, a song that we will sing for our Showcase on December 20th! A letter should have gone home on Friday inviting you all to our 1st Grade Winter Showcase. If not, here is the letter:
Dear Parents,
We would like to invite you and your family to our annual First Grade Winter Showcase on Wednesday, December 20th at 1:30 p.m. in the Cafetorium.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Niu and Mrs. Rzasa
Music Specialists
**If you would like to dismiss your child after the assembly, please send a note to the office.
The third graders have started their music notation unit to help prepare them for the recorder. First, they learned about the staff, and then we added the treble clef, time signature, bar lines, double bar line, repeat sign , and labeled the measures. The students did a wonderful job drawing and labeling these musical items. Here are some pictures:
Our fourth and fifth grades students are busy preparing for their winter concert in just less than two weeks! Here is the letter that we sent home about what time students should report to school and what do wear. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The music department at Memorial presents:
Celebrations Around the World
Wednesday, Dec. 13th, 2017
7:00 p.m.
Your child has been working very hard towards this concert and we hope you and your family can be there to support them. Feel free to email or call us if you have any questions.
- Concert Attire:
- Morning- Students may wear regular school clothes in the daytime- but please no t-shirts with logos or words.
- Evening- Our concert is about celebrating winter traditions around the world. We would like the students to dress in clothing that represents their culture. Here are some ideas:
- Wear traditional clothing from your family’s culture
- Wear colors from your country’s flag
- We are all Americans - students may also wear their favorite fancy outfit
Note: This is a performance, so all students should look nice. We do not want jeans, sweatpants, or sports gear. Thank you!
- Call Times:
- Band students will report to the music room at 6:40 p.m.
- String students will report to the lesson room at 6:40 p.m.
- Chorus students who do not play an instrument will report to the kindergarten wing at 6:50 p.m.
- Please note: ALL 4th and 5th graders must attend the Winter Concert. The students have been working so hard since September to prepare for this performance, and we need all of their wonderful voices and instrumental skills in our ensembles! (Please contact us in advance if you have a conflict with attendance)
* We look forward to seeing you there! *
Sincerely,
Mr. Napierkowski, Mrs. Niu, and Mrs. Rzasa