I want to try and keep regular updates as to what's going on in my classroom. Feel free to comment and share ideas! Since I teach at two different schools, I'll just identify them as School "P" and School "R". P has two sections of each grade K-6 and R has one of each. I also have 6th grade beginner band at P. So here goes!
P: Kindergarten--We're preparing for their upcoming program. It's super cute-- it's based on the Frank Asch book "Mooncake." It's actually part of our 1st grade curriculum series, but with a little tweaking on the dialogue, it's perfect for my Kindies. My sweet husband is even going to build me a little rocket ship!
1st-- They just finished up their program, "A Barnyard Moosical." It's so great--if you've never done it, I highly recommend it! So to celebrate, we watched "Wildlife Symphony."
2nd-- We just added whole notes and whole rests to our rhythm vocabulary. They composed their own 8-beat rhythm patterns earlier this week and then on Thursday we played a rousing game of "Rhythm Bingo." They were so excited to finally be able to play on the "Level B" side instead of the easier "Level A!"
3rd-- Ahh, "Peter and the Wolf." One of my favorite units for 3rd grade! I purchased a great "Peter and the Wolf" unit by Debra Lindsay via Music in Motion a couple of years ago. I use it in conjunction with a "Peter and the Wolf" story book/CD combo by Peter Malone. Once we finish up all of our activities, we watch the Chuck Jones version of the movie.
4th-- Syncopation is the name of the game in 4th right now. We've done some great activites and songs out of our curriculum series and out of Music K8. We left off on Friday by beginning a big movement/body percussion/instrumental project using the folk song "John Kanaka."
5th-- Wrapped up our "Blues" unit and took the written assessment. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about how well they grasped this one. But, that could be another post in and of itself! The majority of the kiddos didn't complete the assessment on Friday and will need to finish in class on Monday. We'll see how they did then, I guess...
6th-- "The hills are alive........!" We're smack in the middle of the big "The Sound of Music" unit I do each Spring with 6th grade. We're almost done viewing the musical. I actually set the stage for this unit in the first trimester of 6th grade when we begin examining how to build major scales. (Did you just start singing "Do Re Mi" in your head? Ha!) I love, love, love teaching this unit and want to share it with you all later!
R: Kindergarten-- Same as at P.
1st-- They just performed their program on Thursday evening. We did "Bugz" by John Jacobson & John Higgins. I did that one with my firsties at P a few years ago and absolutely loved it. This crew of kiddos is a little bit more......how shall I say......challenging than the last time I did that show. We did get from start to finish, however. So, I'm going to count it as a victory!
2nd-- They were combined with 1st grade for the program. This class is undoubtedly my biggest challenge this year.
3rd-- They're going to be starting work with absolute pitch. I did a great activity that I received from another music teacher in our district that incorporates the treble clef into an art project. It's one of my faves because the kiddos get to really let both their musical and artistic talents shine.
4th, 5th, & 6th-- Same as at P, just a little further behind in the unit process.
Hope you enjoyed this little "sneak peak" into what's going on in my classrooms! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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