Second Graders added instruments to the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"...
a sound story by Cristi Cary Miller.
It was fun to experience how adding sound effects can enhance a well known story.
"Peter and the Wolf" uses orchestral instruments that we have learned about to portray the themes of the different characters in the story. We will be comparing different versions of this story in book/audio and video formats.
Continuing our tradition, the grade levels performed a song at the Spartan Star Assembly on Oct. 29, 2014. 5K's song was "Watch Out" by Mike Wilson, focusing on how Spartan Stars are SAFE.
1st grade's song also focused on being SAFE: "Stranger Danger" by David and Anne Ellsworth.
2nd Grade's song, "Positive"by Teresa Jennings, focused on how we are KIND and RESPONSIBLE when we have positive attitudes.
Thank you to Mrs. Jennejohn for video recording us!
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)
Boomwhackers are the perfect instruments to demonstrate solfege, and a LOT of fun to play!
Mr. Paley's and Ms. Schmidt's classes had guest musicians (family) who shared their instruments and how music is still part of their lives. The presentations were so wonderful that I wanted to make sure others would be able to watch as well.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all our guest musicians!!
I'm always looking for ways to improve my teaching practice, and hope that this new project idea will be both engaging and meaningful for my 2nd graders!
Par for the course with a new project involving technology, adjustments have been made!
A couple of the websites I mentioned in my video do not work with iPads, so I now have two websites that the students are exploring in their group work. Arts Alive Dallas Symphony Kids
My Kindergarten friends have been loving our Nursery Rhyme unit with different versions of familiar rhymes. Their absolute favorite is "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" found on K8 KidTunes
It sounds like the "store" part of this website will be closing soon, so if you are interested in purchasing and downloading songs, please act quickly! :)
Other parts of the site look like fun, so this may be a great one to bookmark! :)
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 love when I learn from my students!! One of my second grade classes was asking me about GoAnimate (which I have used for the "I CAN" videos recently), and I commented that I wished there were other backgrounds to choose from. One of the students said "You should try Telegami, Mrs. Kellen! You can use your own photos for backgrounds, and make your videos using that!" (They have used this app for a project in their class.) I had the app, but hadn't played with it, so because of their suggestion, this is what I came up with today! So much fun!!! Tempo Telegami
Thursday, April 24 is the date! My kindergarten friends are working hard to have their program "The Seasons of Kindergarten" ready for the performance!
The 5:30 performance includes these classes: Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Heim, and Mrs. Mosso.
The 6:30 performance includes these classes: Mrs. Dettlaff, Mrs. Kuehl, Mrs. Marking and Mrs. Paugel.
Both performances will be held in the McFarland Primary School Gym (the school is located directly behind CE), and students will meet up with their class in the following locations:
ART ROOM at MPS: Gray, Mosso, (5:15) Dettlaff, Marking (6:15)
MUSIC ROOM at MPS: Cook, Heim (5:15) Kuehl, Paugel (6:15)
Parents, please take your child's coat into the gym with you.
Each class will be visibly featured in one of the program songs (though all students sing all songs).
Dress for the occasion is at parent's discretion, keeping in mind that the student will be sitting on the carpeted gym floor during much of the program.
I am so excited that it is almost here!!
A few of my favorite music note reading apps are: Note Squish, NameTheNote, Treble Cat HD, Flashnote Derby, and Tenuto. These apps are minimal cost, available for iOS, and fun for kids (and kids at heart) to play and learn with! Treble Cat Lite and Flashnote Derby are available for Android as well.
I've found that using a variety of ways to practice a concept works best for my students!
The Freddie the Frog books by Sharon Burch are some of my favorite tools for teaching about the treble clef staff to my first graders! The students are exposed to a very fun way of remembering the letter names of the lines and spaces... Freddie's home is the top line F, Eli's home is the bottom line E, etc. All on Treble Clef Island! The stories are engaging, and hopefully, the concepts stick with the students!
Check out the website! Freddie the Frog
The Kindergarten Kids sang "I'll Be There" by Teresa Jennings (Plank Road Publishing)
The First Graders sang "Be A Friend" by John Riggio (Plank Road Publishing)
Second Graders sang "My Personal Code" by Teresa Jennings (Plank Road Publishing)
I am so happy to have the opportunity not only for the students to get songs "performance ready" but even more importantly to perform for their peers. The songs are carefully chosen to reflect our Spartan Star values, and provide excellent teachable moments discussing the words and how they apply.
With the conclusion of our rhythm unit, these are the "I CAN" statements for the first and second graders.
The Kindergarten kids had a brief introduction to the quarter note, quarter rest, and beamed eighth notes, and learned about clapping and "saying" the rhythms (ta, shh, ti-ti) They also were "composers of rhythm".
While many of the same music concepts are taught each year, I use some different activities to deepen the students' knowledge, understanding and application as they progress through CE/MPS.
Here's a sneak peek at our next concept... Note Reading on the Treble Clef Staff!
I've found that Go Animate is a great tool for creating engaging content delivery!
As an extension learning opportunity for our rhythm unit, second graders are encouraged to work on Rhythm Trainer http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/ and email me results of at least 50 rhythms completed. My school email is kathryn_kellen@mcfarland.k12.wi.us
This is fun, and FREE! :)
Doors to the Primary School will open no earlier than 5:15 pm
At 5:30, classes include Mrs. Brezenski’s , Mrs. Knapp’s, Mrs.Rotunno’s, and Mrs. Olson’s.
At 6:30, classes include Mrs. Froden’s, Mrs. Juszczyk’s’s, Mrs. Mandli’s, and Mrs. Schimanski’s.
This is an informal performance, giving families a taste of what we do in music class! Each class will be featured on stage in one song, and sing as backup, sitting on the carpeted floor of the gym for the rest of the songs. Students may dress up for the program, but will want to wear something comfortable for movement. Please take your child’s coat with you to your seat
Songs include: "We Are Making Music" "One Zero Zero" "Footprints in the Snow" "If You Build It" "Winter Fun" "Forever Friends"
If you are interested in purchasing the songs for extra practice for your child, click on this link.K8 KidTunes
Our Music Program is fast approaching! The date is Tuesday, February 4, 2014. The informal performance will be held in the
Gymnasium at McFarland Primary School. Doors will open at 5:15 PM.
The 5:30
performance will include the following classes:
Music Sharing week is always interesting! I especially enjoyed the created instruments as well as the performances on a variety of instruments including voice, piano, harmonica, ukelele, dulcimer, rain stick, drum set and guitar!
