Second Grade Music Stars Sing and Learn Interactively with the SMART Board

In my former school I used an overhead projector and transparencies to help my students learn the words of songs we were working on. This year I am utilizing the download able power points in the subscription to K8 Music Magazine/Plank Road Publishing. For other songs I am creating the power points. I'm really pleased with the students' response and it gives me a great opportunity to elicit helpers to move the slides along!  :)
Second graders are finishing up the Instrument Safari and will be exploring other Orchestra websites as we continue to learn about the instrument families.

First Grade Music Stars Explore Melody Street

Melody Street is a unique and engaging way for younger students to learn about the instrument families of the orchestra!  We are eagerly waiting for Chapters 3 & 4 to be unlocked and ready to view!
Additional websites we will be exploring in class are accessible on my teacher website.

Kindergarten Kids are SO Creative!

During one of our movement activities, this class decided all on their own that this was the "sliding" way to move!  :)

African Unit Wrap Up

Teaching this unit is so much fun, mainly because the students have so much fun with it!
With some shaker eggs, a rock and friends, class time flew by!
Enjoy this video clip!

African Unit Wrap Up

Kindergarten Music Stars Move!

Nursery Rhymes...classic and those with a fun twist...

Echo Singing

Movement Favorite: The Mack Chicken Dance by Greg&Steve

Kindergarten Music Class is lots of FUN!  :)

First Grade Music Stars Have Fun With African Singing Games

With only a rock and a song, first grade students are having fun playing "The Lion Game" from Ghana.
We are experiencing Call and Response style and exploring games that African children play. This unit is coinciding with what they are learning about in Art class.

Second Grade Music Stars use Smart Board

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Interactive Website

The Second Graders are having fun exploring the instrument families of the orchestra using this interactive website in class on our Smart Board. Many have asked for the link to try at home (see above).  It is also included on the Music Websites to Explore page of my Google Site.

We are also learning songs using the Smart Board!  K8 Plank Road Publishing provides downloadable powerpoints with our subscription. This allows discussion of the lyrics and opportunity for a student to help run the powerpoint. 

It's Been a Great First Week!

It's been a great first week!

This is the video that I have shown to all the primary school classes

giving my expectations, rules and procedures for music class.

The students and I have started to get acquainted, 

and I know that we have a wonderful year ahead of us!

2nd graders will begin studying the Instrument Families of the Orchestra using 

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra with the Smart Board in class.

There are many music websites to explore listed on my website:

1st graders will be starting off with a unit involving African singing games and instruments.

If there are any parents out there with African drumming experience, please contact me at 

kathryn_kellen@mcfarland.k12.wi.us

I hope that you will find this blog informative and fun!