October 1st- 7th

Kindergarten and First grade classes are writing rhythmic patterns for each other to read and perform on the claves.

All Second-Sixth grade classes have learned/reviewed the staff notes and have been performing basic melodies on instruments such as the piano, bell sets, boom sticks, and tone chimes.

All 4-6 chorus members have received a 4th song and have already begun adding choreography. Solo audition sign-ups are posted on my bulletin board.

Parents, please keep an eye out for the Music Department concert dates coming home on a weekly newsletter in the future. The dates in the blue school calendar have been changed due to the construction projects.

General Music Happenings

All K and 1 classes are reviewing, reading, and writing quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests.

All 2-6 classes have been reviewing the music staff. Lower grades have been completing staff worksheets while the upper grades have already been reading and performing basic melodies on the bells. All classes will soon be reading and performing on classroom melody instruments!

Chorus Permission Slips Due!

All 4th, 5th, and 6th grade chorus permission slips are due this week. Chorus rehearsals will begin next week. 6th grade will be on Monday, September 8th; 5th grade will be on Wednesday, September 10th; and 4th grade will begin on Friday September 12th. All music and CDs will be handed out during the first rehearsal. See you there!!!!

Welcome Back

Welcome back for another exciting year of music!! All students will go over rules of the music room during the first week of music classes. Any 4th, 5th, or 6th grade student will be eligible to join the chorus program. Sign-up sheets will also be given out during the first rotation. All papers will be due by September 5th. Check back to my blog for concert updates and special events in the music room! Have a great year.

Welcome back!

Chorus:
4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are eligible to join the NSE choral program. New sign-up sheets will be coming home soon as there may be schedule adjustments. We will keep you informed.

Choral Program (4-6):
• 2 part harmony
• memorization of lyrics
• choreography
• solo auditions
• variety of music genres will be performed
• holiday and spring performances for peers and parents
• teamwork, discipline, following general directions

General Music k-6:
Elementary General Music Curriculum Summary
Kindergarten will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• learn how to hold available percussion instruments
• read, write, and perform basic rhythmic patterns
• “Learning Song Unit” (numbers, ABCs, body parts, etc.)
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• prepare and perform a graduation ceremony for parents
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• be introduced to the Star Spangled Banner
• create motions and rhythms for various songs

First Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• group performance will be emphasized
• create motions for ‘action’ songs
• be introduced to band instruments
• use a microphone to sing solos

Second Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• collaboration in groups will be emphasized for a rhythm writing unit
• introduction to string instruments
• styles of music will be discussed
• identify instruments using listening skills

Third Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• recorder unit- holding instrument, fingerings, breathing, posture, note/rhythm reading, performing solos, duets
• playing ostinato patterns on xylophone bells
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills

Fourth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform advanced rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• in-depth classroom discussions of musical genres
• identify instruments using listening skills
• meter unit (meter in 2, 3, and 4)
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes

Fifth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform complex rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills
• relate musical interests to classroom topics
• song mapping (group project- listening skills/creativity)
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes
• sound image/special effects unit: story writing
• partner song unit
• meter unit (numerator, denominator, rhythm chart, math)

Sixth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform complex rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills
• relate musical interests to classroom topics
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes
• partner song unit
• meter unit (numerator, denominator, rhythm chart, math)
• artist report and presentation
• tone chime unit (reading notes/rhythms, counting, dynamics, group performance, and overall musicianship)
• prepare and perform a graduation ceremony for parents
• pitch vs. no pitch (percussion unit)
• sound order and choosing a medium: individual classroom creativity assignment

New Blogs will be posted for major assignments, big units, or concert information.

Congrats!!!

Mrs. Schwartz would like to congratulate all the Spartan Chorus members for a fantastic spring concert. You were so amazing. She is so proud of you!!!!!

3rd Grade Recorder Assignments: McCabe/Tenaglia: Pg 6 # 9 & 10, you must write the letters in Lynch: Pg 6-7 # 11-14 Smith: Pg 5 #4-8 Selgrade: Pg 5-6 # 4-10, you must write the letters in 9 & 10 Laudeman: Pg 5 # 4-8 6th Grade Artist Research Assignment Objective: To find specific information about an approved singer/group and present the findings to the class. Worth 20 points for 1 page report (typed or handwritten) and 5 points for presentation (2 pts for info., 1pt for clarity, 1 pt for eye contact, 1 pt for volume). Students are expected to use complete sentences and proper grammar and spelling! Requested information: 1. Birthday (death-date if it applies) 2. How did person/group get into music? 3. Hit songs (may include up to 5 songs) 4. Awards (Grammy, nominations, or no awards at this time) 5. Entertainment (acting, movies, T.V. show interviews, etc.) 6. Style of music 7. Personal information/interesting information 8. Why do you like this person/group? This assignment will also include a graphic designed CD cover to be completed with Mrs. Zink. Due date: 2nd week of March (Kessler)