We have been very busy for the past several weeks. We have been studying a unit on Melody. The students have learned that the definition of melody is a line of single tones that move upward and downward by step or by leap. Also, we have been using stations to help reinforce the concepts. 3-5 have been stations include working on worksheets that work on melody contour, a listening station, reviewing rhythms, piano skills, and Guitar Hero. We have been using the piano and Guitar Hero to reinforce steps, leaps, and repeats, and how to recognize them. K-2 have worked on similar stations that included a listening station, xylophones, and Guitar Hero. Students were encouraged to come up with their own melodies and explore the concepts of high and low. The main idea of Guitar Hero is to be a simulation of playing guitar because I may begin to teach guitar next year with some of the older students. We have also reviewed in the recent weeks music vocabulary. 3-5 should know the following words:
Melody
RH
LH
Whole Notes
Half Notes
Quarter Notes
Whole Rests
Half Rests
Quarter Rests
Staff
Measure
Tempo
Time Signature
Forte
Piano
K-2 should know:
High
Low
Fast
Slow
Loud
Soft
Long
Short
We have also begun to get back to our grade level instruments: 4th and 5th are back on piano, 2nd and 3rd are back on recorder, and K-1 are singing. We may learn songs on the boomwhackers again.
FCAT begins this week and we will pause with our music lessons for the next two weeks. We will review concepts. We will still have band and chorus rehearsals during this time. We will be getting ready for a concert at the end of the month for Music in Our Schools Month.
