...They Just Kept Singing!

The First Grade Music programs were without a doubt 

the most eventful that I've experienced in all my years of teaching! 

But looking back on them now, what impressed me the most 

was that whatever else was going on, the kids just kept singing! 

They truly embodied the concept of "the show must go on!"

5:30 Program

Rotunno, Mandli, Juszczyk, Knapp

Froden, Brezenski, Schimanski, Olson

Thanks to Mr. Steve Pennekamp's AV staff at the McFarland HS!

Second Graders Shine!

We are very fortunate to have Mr. Steve Pennekamp and the High School AV staff record our program and get it ready to post here! Thank you!

5:30 Performance

6:30 Performance

It's Almost Music Program Week!!

I have 12 songs/poem going through my head at ALL times, so the Music Program Week for 1st and 2nd graders must be almost here!

2nd Grade: 

The date is Tuesday, February 23, 2016. 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:

 Ms. Bailey, Mrs. Garvoille, Mrs. Huber-Drake, Mrs. Jefferson

The 6:30 performance will include the following classes: ​Arrive at 6:15 PM

Mrs. Adams, Mr. Paley, Ms. Schmidt, Mrs. Wisniewski

We are looking forward to an evening of sharing songs and a sound poem with you!

New this year are our colorful risers! The students will be on the risers for the entire program, enabling you to see your child better. Red: Garvoille/Adams  Blue: Jefferson, Paley  Yellow: Bailey/Schmidt  Green: Huber Drake/Wisniewski

On arrival, Garvoille, Adams, Jefferson and Paley meet in the MUSIC room and

Bailey, Schmidt, Huber Drake and Wisniewski meet in the ART room to line up.

Please take your child's coat with you to the gym.

1st Grade:

The First Grade Music program is February 25, 2016!
At 5:30, (arrive at 5:15 PM)classes include  Mrs. Knapp, Mrs.Rotunno,  Mrs. Juszczyk,  Mrs. Mandli

At 6:30 , (arrive at 6:15 PM) classes include Ms. Olson , Mrs. Schimanski, Mrs. Brezenski, Mrs. Froden
This is an informal performance, giving families a taste of what we do in music class! 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.

New this year are our colorful risers! Students will be standing on the risers throughout the program, enabling you to see your child better.

Red Risers : Rotunno/Froden   Blue Risers: Mandli/Brezenski   Yellow Risers: Juszczyk/Schimanski 

 Green Risers: Knapp/Olson
 Doors to the Primary School will open no earlier than 5:15 pm 

On arrival, Rotunno, Froden, Mandli, Brezenski meet in MUSIC room, and 

Juszczyk, Schimanski, Knapp, Olson meet in ART room. 

Please take your child's coat with you into the gym.
  

We are all SO excited!!

Catching Up! Music Helps to Tell a Story Unit in December

One of my favorite units to teach is how music can help to tell a story!  I use "The Snowman" video with Kindergarten kids, and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and other clips in Fantasia 2000 with the First Graders.
As in most of my units I go even deeper with the Second Graders.

"Peter and the Wolf" uses orchestral instruments and musical themes to help tell the story.
"Where the Wild Things Are" is enhanced with underlying music from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, and then the same music is heard in "The Firebird" in Fantasia 2000.
"The Three Billy Goats Gruff" is enhanced with classroom instruments.
"The Nutcracker" is read with Tchaikovsky's music in the background, and then students enjoy working on the Nutcracker word search on their iPads while listening again to the music.

At the end of the unit, my Second Graders fill out an evaluation on a Google Form. The last question gives them a chance to give me their thoughts on the unit overall. Here are a few of their responses:

My favorite part of the unit was Fantasia 2000
This was my favorite unit

You should definitely do it with seconds next year!

It is the best unit so far 

The Peter and the wolf was my favorite part of the unit.


I LOVE THIS MUSIC UNIT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Adding instruments to "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"

Working together on the Nutcracker Word Search

Solfege in Kindergarten

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 Room Is Filled With Risers

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!!

Music Opposites and Where's the Turkey Hiding game for First Grade

First graders show their understanding of music opposites with movement.

High/Low, Long/Short, Loud/Soft, Fast/Slow, Happy/Sad

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!