Music That Helps To Tell A Story- 2nd Grade

Music That Helps To Tell A Story is one of my favorite units!

2nd graders started by adding instruments 

to the familiar story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" to create a sound story.

Our next activity was to listen to the Book/CD of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokoviev.

Students were able to identify the instruments used to portray the character themes and connect 

this to the learning they did in our Instrument Family Unit.

Currently they are viewing "Peter and the Wolf" movie by Chuck Jones, which was an Emmy Award Winner. Again, students are making wonderful connections with things they've already learned!

I'll be using a Kahoot to check for understanding at the end of our Peter and The Wolf activities.

We will be doing more in depth discussions of the role music plays in films.

We'll also explore what kinds of clues music can give to help a story.

I'll be adding music from the Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky to my reading of 

"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

This book is familiar to many students, and they compare their prior experiences with this book with the experience of added music.

Finally, they will hear music from the same orchestral work in Fantasia 2000 and discuss how the same music helped to tell two very different stories.

I plan to use FlipGrid again for feedback from the students.

Music Opposites in First Grade!

 First Graders have been learning about music opposites, 

and using movements to show understanding. 

This has been a lot of fun, and most likely one of the easiest assessments that they'll experience!

They have especially enjoyed K8 Music Videos that illustrate opposites with engaging songs.

 Presto Largo

Major Minor

Solfege for Kindergarten Kids

Kindergarten: Solfege, Boomwhackers and the "Sound of Music"

The Kindergarten Kids have been learning to sing with solfege, 

which are the Kodaly syllables and hand signs for singing. 

Activities have included selected clips from "The Sound of Music"; 

playing with Boomwhackers (pitched tube instruments);

The book "Tap The Magic Tree" and Apple Tree, a circle game with a sol-mi-do song;

and the interactive white board program "Maestro Maestro" (sol-mi-do singing while learning instrument families).

Kindergarten kids have been singing many "I Sing, You Sing" songs, as well as seasonal songs from 

K8 Music/Plank Road Publishing. There is always movement incorporated. We also explore the software "Groovy Shapes by Sibelius on our Smart Board, which introduces many music concepts in engaging ways.

Thank you Guest Musicians!

2nd graders had a wonderful opportunity to hear from some very talented guest musicians this past rotation! Huge thanks go out to Dr. Andrew Briddell, Andrea Barnes, Debra Vaughan, Chris Landerud, Melissa Soto, Bill Fuller, Tom Niebauer, and Chris Matz for sharing their love of music with my students!

African Music Unit for First Grade

Sound Story "Ananse and the Sticky Glue"

Obwisanna Song and Game

The end of the Lion Game

Experiencing African Musical Instruments

First graders really enjoyed the African Music Unit! 

We talked about how children in Africa don't need expensive toys to have fun...and we don't either!  :) Today a staff member told me that she saw a few first grade girls sitting in a circle yesterday at recess playing Obwisanna! That made my day, as it shows a connection outside of music class!  :)

Sound stories are always fun, and the students loved experiencing/playing the African Musical Instruments.

Under "Kid" Struction This Year!

Starting my 6th year here in McFarland it's

so exciting to see changes every day with our construction!

Even more exciting to reconnect with 1st and 2nd graders and meet new kindergarten kids!

In Music Classes:

2nd grade: Beginning the Instrument Families of the Orchestra Unit

1st grade: Beginning the African Music Unit

5K: Beginning the Nursery Rhyme Unit

Sometimes students will ask me what my favorite thing to teach is, and I have to say "all of it!"

I have fun with all of the units I've created around the core concepts.

 It is my goal to teach the children  musical skills and above all the love of music activities 

to grow life long enjoyment of music!

2nd Graders Begin Exploration of Instrument Families

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Instrument Safari

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, and can register for a free account.

By creating their own "secret name", password, and hint, students are able to experience all of this for themselves. This is an advantage because we take turns when we are learning as a class.

Congratulations to the 100% Classes!

Three classes made the 100% goal of Note Identification, and had a Music Reward Day as their prize.
Different stations were set up in the room and students were able to choose their activities.
As you can see in the photos, everyone had a lot of fun! The best part for me was knowing they were still learning with each activity!

King/Queen of the Mountain Rhythm game

Coloring music note pictures

Playing Silly Staff  Note Literacy game

Instrument Family Dominoes

Music Note Twister Girls mat

Music Note Twister Boys mat

Coloring with friends

Playing some music games on their iPads

Deciding which activities they would do

Kahoot 

Answering Kahoot questions about 2nd grade Music

Lots of smile and laughter

Technology Plays A Big Role

I use technology to teach music concepts as much as possible. Pictured above, 2nd grade students are playing a Kahoot game that is actually giving them practice with note literacy!

In the game "Silly Staff" team "contestants" are competing to either notate the word on the card or read the notes and write the word. Meanwhile, their teammates are practicing along with them on their iPads using a treble clef staff in Notability, which keeps everyone engaged in learning while having fun!

Seasons of Kindergarten program videos!

We are very fortunate to have the school district film our music programs!

5:30 program

6:30 program

2nd Graders Increase Treble Clef Note Reading Skills

The 2nd grade classes are currently in a competition for the highest percentage after 2 rounds of Note Identification each music class. The class with the highest percentage when the competition ends in May will be rewarded with a Music Game Day!

To build upon their skills, I am also giving the students time at the end of each class to work with note reading apps on their iPads. These are engaging tools that can be used outside of class as well!

Kindergarten Prepares for April 27 Program

Kindergarten kids have had "Riser Safety" Training, 

and are getting used to singing on the risers.

We are working hard on our songs for the

 "Seasons of Kindergarten" Music Program on April 27!

Some specific details:

The Kindergarten Music program is April 27, 2016, in the McFarland Primary School gym.

At 5:30, classes include Mrs.Kuehl's, Mrs. Dettlaff's, Mrs. Gray's, and Mrs.Paugel's. (Please do not arrive before 5:15)

At 6:30, classes include Mrs. Cook's, Mrs. Mosso's, Mrs. Heim's, and Mrs. Marking's. (Please do not arrive before 6:15)

This is an informal performance, called "The Seasons of Kindergarten",  giving families a taste of what we've done in music class! Each class will be standing on a colored riser group, and the children will sing all the songs standing on the risers.

5:30 group: 
Kuehl- Red
Dettlaff- Blue
Paugel- Yellow
Gray- Green

6:30 group:
Cook -Red

Heim- Blue
Mosso- Yellow
Marking- Green

You can plan your seating for the best view of your child's class! 

Doors to the Primary School will open no earlier than 5:15 pm!

Freddie the Frog Teaches About the Treble Clef to First Graders

The Freddie the Frog books by Sharon Burch 

are excellent teaching tools for the first grade treble clef staff unit!

The children learn about Treble Clef Island, 

which gives them a "place" to identify each line and space.
Visit Freddie the Frog's website for games and activities...

1st Grade Music Program is All About Style

On February 23, 2017; 5:30 and 6:30 PM, The First  Grade Team showed great style in their music program. Students learned about different musical styles and had fun singing examples of some.
McFarland School District made a video recording of the event for your viewing pleasure.

2nd Grade Super (Character) Heroes Music Programs Are Enjoyed By All

 On February 21, 2017; 5:30 and 6:30 PM, The Second Grade Team put on a marvelous music program. Students showed their super character powers and made an impressive entrance!
McFarland School District made a video recording of the event for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Valentines' Day!

Viva Valentine

Only three words in this song for Kindergarten, 

but lots of fun!

2nd grade Snowman Rhythm Group Project

Second Grade students are creating individual 4 beat rhythm patterns, and then working in a group to create a composition. The final step will be performing their group rhythm composition on instruments for their class. This is one of those times that I am assessing their knowledge without them really being aware of it...they think it's just a fun group project!