March 16 - 20 (Music Week 23)

 UPCOMING DATES

Performing Arts Club Thursday, April 2nd

EMBRACE MUSIC WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS:

Encourage singing, it's good for your health! Singing strengthens respiratory muscles, improves posture, and aids in cardiovascular health; singing boosts cognitive function, memory and confidence; singing creates connections between people - it's simply beautiful. The best part is that singing and phonation are accessible to all of us, in some way. 

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

-I can distinguish voice sounds; develop tuneful and accurate singing voice.

-I can perform movement to show same and different sections.

Kindergarten students continue to connect questions about ocean environments to song lyrics. They have requested more songs about giant squids, jellyfish and dolphins. The students explored expressive elements of music through twisting, turning and spinning this week. 

-I can create movement to show same and different sections; I can perform movement patterns to accompany songs.

-I can demonstrate pitch awareness while singing, showing high and low.

Lots of movement and sight singing with a variety of music this week. 

Students also started their Brown Bear page this week. We have many talented young illustrators at our school - I was really moved by the kids' appreciation for the fact that their 'page' was going to be part of a class collective work. Some students offered to do an animal or object to avoid doing the same as one of their classmates; others suggested how doubles could work within the construct of the book. These conversations were not part of my thought process so I am really glad that the kids broached these issues at the outset of their creative work. 

-I can demonstrate effective techniques (breathing, posture, articulation) for playing pitch instruments (recorders).

-I can sight read and sing melodic patterns. 

Recorders continued full on this week, mostly because there is lots of motivation to play. For the first time, students sight read a GAB melody while playing recorders. To prepare, we sang the melody using absolute note names first. I notice pitch accuracy is way better when the kids read what they are singing. Some people need to see the notes going up and down on a staff to understand how much their voice needs to move in terms of high and low. 

'Injury Day' presented challenges for some people. I was impressed by students' determination to play their recorders despite having hands compromised by slings and casts. 

-I can demonstrate skill on a variety of instruments (barred instruments, ukulele).

-I can identify notes and assign absolute note names to pitches on a treble clef staff. 

Students continued small group work with instruments this week and were encouraged to work with students playing other parts to try and fit separate layers together. The challenge here is in listening to other people. While practicing and playing something at an increased tempo or speed can motivate technique for playing quickly, it does not matter how fast we play if we cannot hear how the instrument parts complement one another. 

Students were very receptive to encouragement to slow things down and to listen. Musicians can always learn from others; playing music with other people helps us to grow both emotionally and cognitively. 

-I can keep a steady beat.

-I can experience music through  a variety of movements (walking, running, jumping)

ALP students continued their sequence of activities using drums, shakers and puppets. Balloons were not a favourite for everyone so we moved onto bringing some parachute into the mix. Students worked successfully as a group to move the parachute in a circle for the round and round of The Wheels on the Bus. We used the parachute to show swish, swish, swish of the wipers and the up and down of the people. The students also enjoyed having their turn under the parachute during the Someone Goes Round the Sun song. 

Best wishes for Spring Break.

Mrs. McMillan















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