Weekly Review 3/12 - 3/16

This week, the first grade students worked on their Peter and the Wolf compositions. The students were in groups of 2-3, and each group picked a different character from Peter and the Wolf (Peter, Grandpa, Bird, Cat, Duck, Wolf, and Hunters). Then, they composed a four beat rhythm using quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests. Each group picked a percussion instrument as well to play the theme for their character. Next week, we will act out the story!

Here is a photo of some first graders learning about rhythms. Each paper represents a beat. One child on a beat is a du (quarter note), and two students together form a du-de (eighth note pair). If a beat is empty, it's a rest!

In second grade, students tested their abilities to recognize and reinforce the sounds of instruments by playing Instrument Bingo.  Students were given bingo cards with different instruments from the woodwind, brass, percussion and string families.  When a recording of an instrument was played,  they had to identify the instrument and see if it was on their card. If it was, it got marked with a button. Once the students had 5 buttons in a row on their card, they had BINGO and won a musical prize!

The second graders also learned a folk dance to accompany a song called the Irish Washerwoman. We discussed the fact that the song and dance have 8 beat phrases. Once they mastered the dance, they got into small groups and made up their own dances for the song!

The third graders have been continuing their recorder unit, and have even earned some Recorder Karate belts! One class each week is their centers day, which includes the following centers:

• Staff Game
• Composer Corner
• Book Nook
• Music Card Games
• Practice
• Testing

At the testing center, the students get to work one on one with the teacher to practice or test for their next belt song. Once they pass a song they get a belt (colored band) to add to their recorder, AND they sign the poster on the bulletin board in the hallway!  During their other class, the students learn new notes, and reinforce their notation/reading skills. Please encourage your child to practice at home!

The fourth and fifth graders have been composing in different musical forms. The fourth graders have ABA form, and the fifth have Rondo Form. They will be performing their compositions next week!

In chorus, the students have been focusing on Cumbia del Sol and What a Wonderful World. We hope you come see their performance this May! :)