October 29 - 31 and November 3 - 7 (Music Weeks 6 and 7) SIX-SEVEN!!

UPCOMING DATES

Thursday, November 13th - Performing Arts Club @ Lunch (runs every Thursday)

Thursday, December 11th - Winter Concert (daytime and evening performances - more information to come)

WELCOME BACK! I've thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with all of the musically talented friends at TRS these past few days. 

TO SUPPORT LEARNING WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS:

Encourage resiliency and perseverance in all things. Everyone experiences frustration when learning and trying things for the first time. Music can be especially frustrating because it requires focus, patience and practice. Teach kids to be graceful with themselves while learning new skills in all facets of their lives. Gently remind them to keep trying!

LEARNING INTENTION LEGEND (Blue = Kindergarten, Green = 1 / 2, Purple = 3 / 4, Red = 5 / 6)

-I can demonstrate steady beat through movement.

-I can differentiate speaking from singing voices.

Students performed action songs to explore the capacity of our voices to make sound. Simple warm ups with songs like Criss Cross Applesauce, 5 Little Sausages and Head and Shoulders help us to practice humming, whispering, speaking and singing. Our voices are amazing and can do so many things. We used movement to represent beat through movement around the room such as marching, jumping and running. 

-I can play a steady beat using rhythm instruments.

-I can perform simple action songs and singing games. 

Grade 1 and 2 students continue to learn and perform a variety of silly action songs as part of their daily singing warmup. We incorporate increasingly complex body percussion to reinforce beat. Students played shakers, drums and sticks to accompany singing and to explore the timbre (sound quality) of a variety of instruments.

-I can perform ostinato patterns (musical pattern that repeats) while singing. 

-I can demonstrate pitch awareness while singing.

We played several familiar games in the first couple of classes after our time away from school. The students enjoyed connecting with one another through listening and singing in our circle time. We explored rhythm patterns with bucket drumming this week. Students played a variety of rhythmic ostinato patterns while singing. We explored sounds with oversized ice cream buckets while creating our patterns.  

-I can use instrumental accompaniment to enhance lyrics while singing.

-I can use steady beat strumming, alternating between chords, while playing ukulele and singing. 

Students reviewed techniques for playing ukuleles this week in class. We focused on C and F chords, focusing on mastery of transitions. The students all noticed that the transitions can be tricky and so it is important to practice changes in finger placement to build muscle memory. Singing while playing helps us to identify timing of chord transitions and to keep our playing steady. Singing while playing is also really fun!

Best wishes for a beautiful weekend.

Musically Yours, 

Ms. McMillan