Ms. McMillan's Music Class

FINAL MUSIC WEEK... An overwhelming number of things happen in an elementary school during the last week of June - all experiences focused on creating positive connections and truly an opportunity to create cherished, long lasting memories.  There was some singing and moving and lots of laughter in our musical endeavours this week. Many of the students were clamouring for extra opportunities to bring additional singing and movement to the school community but time ticks away quickly in the final days and we don't always have windows of opportunity to do all the things. Some of it can wait until we resume in the fall - the thing about time (especially during a school day) is that it is finite, we can't generate more of it through any means currently availble to us! Thank you to everyone for ongoing support of all things musical. I can't appropriately express all of my gratitude through words; I don't think there is even a song that adequately conveys my appreciation for ...

  UPCOMING DATES Grade 6 Farewell - June 24th @ 10:30 am Sports Day - June 25th pm Year End Assembly - June 26th @ 10 am EMBRACE MUSIC WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS: Music and movement. Incorporate elements of both into every day and life feels brighter.  EVERYONE: -I can use movement to show musical form. -I can improvise movement to show beat. - I can sing as part of a unison group sound. We sang, moved and played with reckless abandon this week - well, not reckless but with an essence of freedom and fun. Many classes opted for cooperatively musical games and movement activities while others preferred to continue with the structure of reading music and playing instruments. Everybody learned things, especially me. And then we all lived happily ever after into another wild June weekend. Hope it was a good one for everybody.  Best wishes for a good week! Mrs. M.

  UPCOMING DATES Grade 6 Farewell - June 24th @ 10:30 am Sports Day - June 25th pm Year End Assembly - June 26th @ 10 am EMBRACE MUSIC WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS: Encourage ability and focus on strengths; encourage kids to take risks and understand what they can do. Amazing things happen when kids practice self acceptance and realize the beautiful potential that lives inside of them.  I could suggest many inspirational songs here but maybe this is something to explore. How does music engage you? How does music compel you to explore different aspects of who you are? Is there a song that creates inspiration for you to explore possibility?  Ask kids. Often the music that they like is appealing because it exudes a vibe through rhythmic or melodic appeal, it's not necessarily because they connect to the lyrics.  EVERYONE: -I can use movement to show musical form. -I can improvise movement to show beat. - I can sing as part of a unison group sound. All g...

  UPCOMING DATES Grade 6 Farewell - June 24th @ 11 am Sports Day - June 25th pm Year End Assembly - June 26th @ 10 am EMBRACE MUSIC WHILE SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR LIVES WITH KIDS: Get into music that inspires movement - there is enough of it to fill many moments of your life. These were fun songs with kids this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FchOg9kXbHo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq28D0-0W1g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY1ewg-e9w Someone suggested that our circle was probably what it felt like to be at an old fashioned party. This made me laugh. I am constantly reminded of something my grandpa used to say while surrounded by children: "Kids are funny people." So true. -I can use movement to show musical form. -I can differentiate voices - singing, speaking, whispering Kindergarten students participated in a variety of singing and playing activities this week. We did some Rain Rain (because it was raining) but then transitioned to the theme of sunshine to explo...