The Kindergarten Kids have been learning about solfege singing with the hand signs on the wall, viewing clips of "The Sound of Music", and "Whacky Do Re Mi" video from Plank Road Publishing. All the kids really loved "The Sound of Music" selections I showed them, and this would be a great movie to watch as a family! (Usually on TV around the holidays)
When I attended Music Conference at the end of October, I learned about a new solfege singing game called "Apple Tree". Kindergarten kids are pictured here playing the game!
The MPS music room is now filled with our new risers! We are so excited to be using them in our classroom and of course they will be awesome for our music programs in February and April!
I'd like to extend a HUGE thank you to the PTO for supplementing my music budget, allowing us to purchase these risers! Also a HUGE thank you to Mr. Ben Snyder and our custodial staff for putting them all together and moving them around! I am incredibly fortunate to teach in such an amazing district!!
They have learned Italian dynamic terms, and are having lots of fun!
WHERE'S THE TURKEY HIDING???
In this game, students give clues to the "finder" by singing loudly when the "finder" is close to where the turkey is hidden, and softly when they are far away. "Run Turkey Run" was the song we used.
I'm pretty sure the first graders would want to play this every music class if I'd let them!
2nd graders have been divided into groups and assigned an Instrument Family of the Orchestra.
This week we have focused on getting our iPad tools ready for our work together.
All students will have access to this blog in the Music App Folder on their Home Screen.
The "Play and Learn" page includes Symphony websites for students to explore at home, but most will need to be accessed with a PC with Flash capability. The websites that work with our iPads are
We've been singing and reading multiple versions of familiar nursery rhymes in 5K. It's been a fun unit, and we're wrapping it up with the Wee Sing video, "King Cole's Party".
I'm busy learning names and will look forward to everyone visiting during Open House on October 8!
First graders were introduced to our unit by learning the "call and response" song, "Kye Kye Kule".
We were able to connect this with the "I Sing, You Sing" songs we have sung since Kindergarten.
Obwisanna is a circle singing game that African children play, most likely using small rocks. We used shaker eggs, as they were more fun!
The Lion Game is another circle singing game that we played. This game uses a rock and is an elimination type of game. We had lots of fun with this one as well!
We could relate these games to ones that American children play!
First graders got to experience playing a collection of African instruments!
We watched a Reading Rainbow video where we were able to see how an African drum is made, as well as demonstrations of other instruments, some of them which we have!
In second grade music classes we are learning about the instrument families of the orchestra. This website presents the concept in an engaging and fun way. Students are welcome to explore this at home, as well, and can register for a free account.
I thought I'd share the grade level songs that were sung at our final 2014-15 PBIS assembly. As always, the students enjoyed preparing and performing their song! Enjoy, and be sure to scroll down for notes about each grade level! :)
I'm looking forward to seeing my 5K friends in 1st grade in September! They've grown a lot this year, and I can't wait to see what they'll learn and accomplish next year!
I'm hoping my 1st grade friends take the words of "Make A Difference" to heart as they become the leaders of our campus in September! I am anxious to try new activities and songs with them, and watch them soar!
As the 2nd graders move "Onward" I am finding that I'm shedding more than a few tears!
These talented Spartan Stars were "new" as Kindergarteners when I was "new" to McFarland, and as I've told them, I simply can't imagine being here without them!!
They will forever hold a very special place in my heart!
I will look forward to following their progress as they advance through the wonderful McFarland schools, and hope that they will always keep a song in their heart and let their voice be heard!
2nd grade classes participated in a Note Trainer Competition for approximately one month. Their class percentage was updated each music class, and the highest percentage at the end of the competition won a Music Reward Day (stations of fun music activities).
The Freddie the Frog books by Sharon Burch give an excellent introduction to the Treble Clef Staff.
The 1st graders really enjoyed learning with these stories!
1st graders also enjoyed the Bean Bag Toss game on the Treble Clef Staff on our carpet.
It was a team game where the "contestant" needed to name the note where their bean bag landed.
2nd graders participated in a class note naming competition. The class who held the highest percentage at the end of the 4 week activity wins a Music Reward Day later this month.
iPads were used in notation and note spelling activities and also in our Silly Staff game.
Students were really engaged in this unit, and have shown great improvement in their note naming skills! I am very pleased with what they've accomplished!
