First Graders Show Understanding of Musical Opposites

The first graders have been learning about musical opposites, and their Italian terms (when applicable).
They have enjoyed songs that focus on opposites, and are growing in their knowledge using the Groovy Jungle software in class as well.
I assessed them by observing how they showed their understanding of the concepts with their bodies and voices in these songs:

Solfege for Kindergarten Kids

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. (To view select the Music Concepts videos, play all, and advance to the Whacky Do Re Mi video)
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!

This week we've added boomwhackers (pitched tubes) to the solfege experience!

2nd grade enjoys Peter and the Wolf

The second graders have begun a unit on Program Music.  No, this is not music for our upcoming program on February 4, 2014... but music that tells or helps to tell a story!  :)
Enriching their experience of orchestral instruments, Peter and the Wolf helps the students to recognize the instrument themes and relate them to the characters of the story.
Stay tuned for more on this unit!

Spartan Music Stars Sing for PBIS Assembly

We hold a Spartan Star Assembly once each quarter, and a definite highlight for me is having each grade level perform a PBIS related song for their peers. I use the songs as teaching tools that support PBIS efforts, and the students take great pride in their performances.