May 11 - 15 (Music Week 30)

 UPCOMING DATES

Performing Arts Club: Thursday, May 21st

Grade 5/6 and Performing Arts Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 27th @ 1:15 pm

Volunteer Tea featuring Grade 5/6 and Performing Arts Collaboration: Thursday, May 28th

Note: Grade 5/6 and Performing Arts Club students will share their rendition of Trolls at this year's Volunteer Tea on the morning of Thursday, May 28th. We look forward to performing for those in attendance at the Tea. These kids will also participate in a dress rehearsal of their show on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 27th at 1:15 pm. Family members who will not attend the Volunteer Tea but wish to see their child perform are welcome to attend at this time. 

Should you have any questions about anything related to these performances, please email me, Katie McMillan at kamcmillan@cbe.ab.ca.

EMBRACE MUSIC WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS:

Ella Fitzgerald. So much to love about Ella and this particular recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8R9hTlH14

There are countless songs that could be added here but just one more. My kids have always loved this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCBP2rD1sPw

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 explore movement to show expressive musical elements such as tempo and dynamics.

Kindergarten students participated in playful speech and singing activities this week to explore our capacity to make sound. The train whistle sound was a favourite. Copying environmental sounds is a fun way to explore the range of highs and lows present in our voices.

-I can differentiate high and low and play melodic sequences using so, mi, la.

-I can sing using a range of dynmaics from soft to loud and loud to soft. 

Grade 1/2 classes played their straw panflutes this week. We did some recorder inspired playalongs using the pitches G A and B and then went through the grade 1/2 rep of pentatonic songs. Through the exploration of pitch frequency, it was clear that many of the students were confusing high and low with loud and soft, which is not pitch but dynamics. We did some singing to differentiate these concepts and will continue more with expressive elements such as dynamics next week.

-I can explore songs in major and minor keys.

-I can improvise melodic patterns on an A minor pentatonic scale. 

Students played melodic sequences in 'A' minor on barred instruments this week. 'A' minor is the relative minor of the C major pentatonic scale which we use all of the time in elementary music class because our Orff instruments are diatonic C scale instruments. 

Throughout the week, grade 3/4s improvised sequences using the pitches A, G, E, D and C. We then collectively put together a 16 beat song using the home note of 'A' with each class creating a measure of the song. People didn't like my Song in A Minor title and so the song was renamed Tidal Wave by one of the students, which seems to have been inspired by a series of songs that reference natural phenomena such as rainbows, earthquakes and thunderstorms. Apparently these songs are from a video game that I need to start playing. 

-I can develop musical interpretation; use vocal interpretation to enhance a song's meaning.

-I can sing as part of a group; I can listen to play with appropriate expression (tempo and dynamics) to create effective group sound. 

Lots of singing and creating this week - some of it was absolutely ridiculous. The challenge in harnessing zany and crazy ideas is keeeping things from spiralling out of control. 'Controlled creativity'...is this an oxymoron? Sometimes unbridled creativity does not work in a large group so small group rehearsal will likely be a positive place for everyone's energy in our classes next week. 

-I can move to music through jumping, marching, hopping, bouncing.

-I can sing while performing body percussion such as patting and clapping.

ALP students continued with a variety of movement activities to explore jumping, bouncing and hopping. Most of the students are now participating in keeping a steady beat while 'drumming' and so we practiced this with several different songs. Students are suggesting many songs that suit their unique musical sensibilities. It's fun to learn about music that they like; sharing music with people is a beautiful way to support connections and I love that these students share this part of themselves with one another. 

Best wishes for a beautiful weekend.

Mrs. M.







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