In our eighth rotation together a lot was happening. Here's a glimpse into what we did together.
- Kindergartners were introduced to the rest of the timbre (tone color) families from our small percussion instruments. . . . Scrape, Ring and Membranic. They got to play a lot of instruments - learning the instrument's name, the best way to play it and recognize it by sound. We reinforced that with our "Listen" game.
- First Graders focused on rhythm again, including writing out some rhythm patterns from dictation (Hearing, Decoding or figuring out what they hear, and writing it down). These rhythms were combinations of Tah, Rest, and Tee-Tees. (Quarter notes, quarter rests, and pairs of eighth notes). In addition, we did a quick review of small percussion timbre families and score reading with our Colored Dominoes activity.
- Second Graders focused on rhythm again, including writing out some rhythm patterns from dictation (Hearing, Decoding or figuring out what they hear, and writing it down). These rhythms were combinations of Tah, Rest, Tee-Tees and Ta-ahs. (Quarter notes, quarter rests, pairs of eighth notes and half notes). In addition, we did a quick review of small percussion timbre families and score reading with our Colored Dominoes activity. Students collaboratively created a 4 beat rhythm suitable to their timbre family as an extension to random sounds and single beats per box reading.
- Third Graders wrapped up their musical connections with Science by sharing their "Rock Concert" with invited family and friends. This included specials parts that students chose to work on including the narration, dramatization of a volcano with movement and props, and two groups who composed a new section for our Rock Rondo - a piece for recorders. These small groups created a collaborative composition using rock rhythms and choosing melodic pitches for each rhythmic note. It was great to have a live audience to perform for. Their pieces included: Rock Concert - opener and closer, Rock Rap, Earth Changes, Rock Rondo, My Favorite Rock and Obwisana - a rock passing game from Ghana. Video clips can be found on the In the Spotlight page of this blog.
- Fourth Graders wrapped up their musical connections with the classroom by sharing their "Colorado Connections Concert" with invited family and friends. It was great to have a live audience to perform for. Their pieces included: The Symbol Song, two recorder pieces: Stegasaurus Stomp and Ride the Iron Horse, Cripple Creek - which featured singing in harmony, a square dance - Comin' 'Round the Mountain, a sing-along of the state song, Where the Columbines Grow, Gold Rush Rap and Colorado! Video clips can be found on the In the Spotlight page of this blog.
- Fifth Graders focused on Colonial Music and Dance. We began by charting what students already knew about Music and Dance in Colonial America, and what questions or curiosities they had about this. Then we played a round of Name that Tune with only songs from Colonial America. It was surprising what songs are still known from that time. We sang through many of the verses to Yankee Doodle and a bit of Soldier, Soldier. Some of our learning came through observing some video clips of Colonial Dance reenactments with live musicians. We learned to dance two Colonial Dances - The Four Hand Reel, and George Washington's personal favorite, Sir Roger de Coverly. Some video snippets are available to see on the In the Spotlight page of this blog.
