Winter Concert

It's been a crazy month. We had rehearsed and rehearsed. Last night it paid off. Thank you to all the students that were able to come out to the Winter Concert last night. Thank you to the parents for getting them there. It was the smoothest transitioning concert we have ever had. Everyone really enjoyed all of the songs. I hope to have a few pictures up soon.  Thank you once again.

Extra Credit Opportunities

The Gainesville Ballet Theater has several upcoming performances. If you would like to have your child attend and do a little concert review, please let me know and I will help you with the outline of what the review should contain. 


Gainesville Ballet Theatre

1501 N.W. 16th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 372-9898

2012 UP-COMING PERFORMANCES / EVENTS

Sunday, October 28, 2012 - “Tales & Tutus Performance Series”
• “Spine-Tingling Fun” at Headquarters Library, Gainesville, FL, in conjunction
with the Alachua County Library District.
• 2:00 pm - A variety of the company's traditional dances for the Halloween
season will be featured.
• Performance is FREE and is appropriate for all ages.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - ACT II of “The Little Match Girl”
* “Performance Series for Children & Youth” at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for
the Performing Arts, Gainesville, FL.
* One performance – 10:00 am
* A special holiday program for schoolchildren, Pre-K through 8th Grade.

34th Production of GBT’s original ballet, “The Little Match Girl”
* Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Gainesville, FL.
* Two Performances:
* Friday, December 21, 2012, 8:00 pm
* Saturday, December 22, 2012, 2:30 pm
* For more information contact Joni Messler Studio of Dance, (352) 372-9898.

Music Update October 8-24

The last two weeks have been quite busy.

K-has continued their beat unit but we have been using a farm theme in music. We have sang many songs about farm animals such as Listen to the Pigs, Going to the Farm, and Old MacDonald which apparently a lot of students called Old McDonald's after the fast food chain. We have also listened to many songs as well, such as the Milk Bucket Boogie by Reece Shipley and the Wild Horseman by Robert Schumann. We also learned a couple of Halloween songs like I'm a Little Ghost and I Bought Me a Bat.

1st Grade has continued learning about beat but we have begun reviewing rhythms to get ready for our rhythm unit. We sang the Muffin Man and used some visuals to help us talk about beat.

2nd grade has used the Orff xylophones in class. We have talked about melodic direction, how pitches go up or down, and Sol, La, Mi. 2nd grade is getting really good at solfege by the way. They also learned a fun Halloween song called Something Went Bump

3rd grade has played recorder but they have worked on a song in the spirit of Halloween called BA Marching Monster. The emphasis is on the B and the A note for recorder. We learned about multi measure rests and first and second endings. Also, if you received a note about making up a quiz, please do so by Thursday, October 25.

4th grade worked on a song called My Best Friend for piano. The emphasis there was fingers 2,3,4 for both left and right hands. We also did a song about Jack O Lanterns called Hey Jack.

5th grade worked on the Em chord. We used it in a song called Skin and Bones. Maybe you may remember it from when you were a child. We also scared the homeroom teachers. Some are harder to scare than others simply because we have done it for so many years.

Next week, we will begin to move towards our Winter Holidays Concert which is on December 13 at 6:00pm in the cafeteria. This is our biggest concert of the year because it involves the entire school. I have already uploaded the songs for each grade level. Click on the podcasts page. All of the lyrics are on one file and are marked for each grade level. Just download your grade level song.

Music Class Week of October 1-5

The 3rd-5th grade classes had quizzes on their various instruments. 3rd was supposed to play Hot Cross Buns on recorder. The focus was on B,A,G notes. 4th grade was supposed to play My Dog Spike/Sorry Spike aka Hot Cross Buns on piano using finger 2,3,4, on the black keys on the left hand then the right hand. 5th grade was to play E,F,G on guitar. They played a general exercise that was not Hot Cross Buns. Students were graded on hand position, tempo and rhythm, and whether or not they played the appropriate finger when indicated by the music. Students that did not do well should retake the quiz before the end of October. Infinite Campus informed us this week that if students have missing assignments or get a low score on an assignment that it will generate emails to parents. Please sign up for Infinite Campus to keep track of your child's grades in all classes.

Kindergarten-We practiced keeping the beat to an old song called Milk Bucket Boogie by Reece Shipley. We also sang Hunt the Cows and Hey Betty Martin. All of these songs were to help the kids keep the beat and to get them moving.

1st grade worked on Hickory Dickory Dock again but this time we sang it and the students had to play the glockenspiel. We talked about melodic motion. The students had to play the glock in an upwardly direction on the words "up" and down direction on the word "down" in the nursery rhyme.

2nd grade played the Orff instruments but we talked about how to read rhythms while playing an instrument as opposed to just clapping. It's quite different when you have an instrument to worry about.

Don't forget to check out Mrs. Reed's 5th grade class singing Hungry to Learn by Teresa Jennings. click on the podcast page and the file is entitled reedhungrytolearn.

Music Webpage Updated

Please don't forget to check out the Williams Elementary Music Webpage. You will find the calendar and grading scale and at the bottom of the page. I have enabled the comments feature so feel free to post any questions about class. FYI: students can always make up quizzes and other assignments if the proper arrangements have been made.

Mrs. Reed's Class

Mrs. Reed's 5th grade class is our featured class this week singing Hungry to Learn. Click on the Podcasts page and follow the link. The file is entitled reedhungrytolearn.wmv.

3rd Grade Recorders

Attention all 3rd grade students and parents: Hoggtowne Music is offering us a deal on recorders. For $5 students may order recorders to have to practice at home. They come in a variety of colors. Please submit your money in an envelope with your child's name. I will purchase them from the music store and hand them out the following Monday.

 You may also purchase your own recorder from any of the music stores in town. Click on the links for Lipham's, Hoggtowne Music, or Great Southern Music on this page to find their locations.

New Year/The first 4 1/2 Weeks

We have finally gotten up and running. Just to give everyone a heads up, we will slowly make the transition to edline. In the meantime, I will keep updating via this site. The first few weeks of school have been quite busy. We have gone over rules and procedures and began our music lessons this year.

 Kindergarten has begun learning about beat. Beat is the pulse of the music and right now their job is to keep a steady beat. We have used simple songs and some stuffed animals that I call the Beat Buddies to help them learn about beat.

 1st grade is learning about beat but we have expanded to the rhythms we learned last year. We are also still using the boomwhackers.

 2nd grade is continuing to learn about beat but we are also doing a lot of singing. We are focusing on learning so, mi, and la. Those are pitch designations in the do,re,mi,fa,so,la,ti,do scale. We will learn more about these pitches and the hand signals that go with them.

 3rd grade began learning how to read the staff and playing recorder. They can clap and count rhythms but now they have to add the staff and recorder into the mix. 3rd grade is learning how to play B,A, and G notes.
 4th grade is learning piano. We are learning the correct finger placement and how to read the instructions in the book.
 5th grade is learning how to play guitar. So far we have learned E,F, and G on the first string. Next. we are going to learn how play an E minor chord.

 Students in 3rd-5th grade should be prepared to take a short playing quiz on their instrument. 3rd grade must play Hot Cross Buns, 4th grade must play page 12-13 in the piano book, and 5th grade must play E, F, and G on guitar. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email or call the school.

Update for 4/30-5/7

Hello just wanted to give a brief summary of what we are doing in music. Last week 3rd-5th began working on their hip hop unit. 3rd is learning the history of hip hop. 4th is learning about women in hip hop. 5th will be learning about women in hip hop as well as hip hop around the world. 5th is also working on their promotion song. If you have not gotten the link yet please follow the instructions from the post a little farther down this page. K-1 worked on songs about birds. K learned how to use the rests in music and 1st learned to recognize the repeat sign. 2nd worked on Ostinato, AB form, Introduction, and Coda. We are using the orff instruments and are trying to create a song with a beginning, a two part middle, and an ending. I hope to have video of that soon.

5th grade field trip

5th grade students will be going to see the Alachua County Youth Orchestra next Monday, April 30. The trip has been paid for through a grant. Student will get to see students in middle school and higher play instruments such as the trombone, violin, flute, and percussion. While this is going to be a fun trip, students will need to exhibit the proper concert etiquette:

1: Stay seated during the performance
2: Don't talk during the performance
3: Cell phones off
4: Applaud after the song is over
5: Overall be respectful

Update for Late March to April

Hello,

It has been an interesting few weeks. The week before spring break we reviewed some concepts but then did Zumba. One to keep the kids active and just have a little down time before we start anything new.

The week after spring break 3rd-5th reviewed musical concepts using music Jeopardy. That activity was a culmination of all the things we learned this year. We will be doing an end of year exam and that was a way to prep them for it. Basically, I set the game up so that if students paid attention throughout the year they would be able to pass the quiz on music terms and concepts.If the class got the question right they accumulated the points. If they got the question wrong I accumulated the lost points. Some classes did better than others but just to be sure that all students pass, I will make study guides available on the website soon. You can also click on one of the music theory links on this page to explore more about music. K-1 kept up with their normal routine and learned songs about Spring. 2nd grade played the Orff xylophones and learned about ostinato. Ask them what it means if you have a second grader.

This past week was FCAT. We had a shortened resource schedule. Unfortunately, we were only able to watch Brain Pop movies and do the review questions in the allotted time. The 3rd-5th watched the Brain Pop concerning reading music. The K-1 watched the movie about how to sing.

This week we are back to normal and I will try to post our activities later this week. Also, if you are a 5th grade parent please take a look at the previous post. I will send a note home but just in case it doesn't make it, you can read it on this page for yourself.

5th grade promotion music

I will send home a letter that looks like this:

Dear Williams 5th Grade Parents:It is the time of the year for us to start thinking about our 5th grade promotion ceremony. It will be held the morning of June 5, 2012. I would like the students to sound the best as they possibly can. Therefore, I am making available to you the song and lyrics via the internet so students can practice at home. If you do not have internet access, then please call me or send a note with your child and I can make a copy for him/her to practice at home. If you have flash drive or blank CD-R that will help out tremendously for the copying. The web address is:

https://sites.google.com/a/gm.sbac.edu/wildcat-music/podcasts

Click on the folder that says “2012 5th grade graduation”. The lyrics and the wma file are there. The wma file works like an mp3 file and should play on Macs as well. If it does not please let me know. The lyrics are on a word document.If you have any questions please feel free to call me at the school at 352-955-6719 or email me at thomasmv@gm.sbac.edu. Thank you for your support.

Music in Our Schools Concert

We will have our annual Music In Our Schools Concert next week, Thursday March 29 at 6:00pm in the cafeteria. This concert will feature the band, chorus, and some of our 5th grade students playing guitar.

Update

We have had a busy semester so far. Thank goodness we have a break coming up soon so we can catch our breaths. Here is a rough overview of what we did each month:

January-We began working on black history month. The 3rd-5th grade students worked on their respective instruments. 3rd graders learned the C note, 4th grade continued to work on playing the white keys CDE, and 5th grade continued learning how to play the single notes on the E and B strings of the guitar. K-2 worked on Chatter with the Angels.

February-We took a break from our instruments to study musicians during black history month. 3rd grade learned about Scott Joplin, the ragtime king. They had to learn 3 facts about Joplin and identify his music. His most famous work was Maple Leaf Rag. The students then took a quiz about the information they learned. 4th grade learned about Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of gospel music. We listened to different styles of gospel music and tried to compare and contrast the older styles with some of the more modern styles of gospel music. The students had to name 3 facts about Dorsey. His most famous work was Precious Lord. 3rd and 4th grade students also talked about Chinese New Year. We discussed the Chinese Zodiac and some folk songs from China. We talked about the time difference and how long it would take to get there by plane. The students were amazed by how long it could take. 5th grade worked on the black history program. The program was an overall success. We had students read poetry, sing solos, and do a short skit. Next year, I think I will have the students do the songs by class. I think it will help the production go smoother. Afterwards, students had to write a concert reflection on how they did. Some of the students were very insightful. If your child has not done the reflection, it is due March 29. K-2 worked on some songs for Chinese new year as well. We talked about a few facts about China and played some games related to China.

March-So far this month we have talked about St. Patrick's Day and sang some songs related to the holiday. K learned some songs that had games. 2nd listened to and learned a dance to the Rakes of Mallow. 1st grade learned a game and listened to Irish Washerwoman. This week 2nd grade has learned another circle dance to Shake them Simmons Down. It's a folk song from Texas. 1st grade are learning about melody contour with the song Jack and Jill. K is getting a chance to practice singing to the beat as well as learning word games. 3rd grade has gotten back to recorder. We have learned the E note which uses 5 fingers on the front. We are learning the Boat Song. We learned how to play the song on recorder and we have added the Orff instruments. 4th grade is working CDE and FGAB on the white keys of the piano. 5th grade learned how to play the C chord and G7 chord this week. We are worked on This Old Man last week and this week we are working on Pay Me My Money Down. Both of which used the C and G7 chords.

That's everything we have learned in the last 3 months with still more to go.

Music Week 16-January 3

Sorry about not updating in a while. I will do my best to stay on top of weekly communications this semester.


This is what we did when we came back to school on the 3rd:

3rd-5th did stations. Here are the outlines of what we did:

3rd grade
EQ:Essential Question(s): Can you count rhythms, identify lines and spaces on the staff, and write in the correct notes and fingerings for recorder?
Direct Instruction (I DO):
Explain and demonstrate each of the 4-5 stations that we will be completing today.

Guided Practice (WE DO):

Station 1-practice with students how to use and identify flash cards

Station 2-show students how the Hidden FACE game works on the smartboard. help students remember the Even George Bush Drives Fast and the FACE mall reference

Station 3- have students identify the rests and circle them, also have them remember their EGBDF phrase to help them write in notes

Station 4- put rhythm sheet on overhead and have them practice clapping and saying rhythms as a group.

Station 5-Recorder. Point and play recorder line


Independent Practice (YOU DO):
Station 1: Flash Cards-Students review notes, rests, and other staff symbols with each other
Station 2: Hidden FACE-Students play smartboard game where they label the staff's spaces and lines
Station3: Write in notes-Students write in notes and fingerings for a recorder song
Station 4: Rhythm Sheet-Students clap and pg1-2 in Winning Rhythms
Station 5: practice recorder line that was used on overhead

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Assessment: Are students able to recall information for flash cards? Are students labeling the correct notes for recorder? Are students clapping correct rhythms? Are students labeling the correct lines and spaces for staff?

4th Grade:

EQ:Essential Question(s): Can you count rhythms, identify lines and spaces on the staff, and play the piano?

Direct Instruction (I DO):
Explain and demonstrate each of the 4-5 stations that we will be completing today.
Guided Practice (WE DO):


Station 1-practice with students how to use and identify flash cards

Station 2-show students how the Hidden FACE game works on the smartboard. help students remember the Even George Bush Drives Fast and the FACE mall reference

Station 3- have students use the graph in the book to identify where to place fingers and to count rhythms. Make sure they understand when to switch hands

Staion 4- put rhythm sheet on overhead and have them practice clapping and saying rhythms as a group.

Station 5-use worksheet to work on piano key identification


Independent Practice (YOU DO):
Station 1: Flash Cards-Students review notes, rests, and other staff symbols with each other
Station 2: Hidden FACE-Students play smartboard game where they label the staff's spaces and lines
Station3: Write in notes-Students write in notes and fingerings for a recorder song
Station 4: Rhythm Sheet-Students clap and pg1-2 in Winning Rhythms
Station 5: worksheet will use blank keyboard, students must identify
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Assessment: Are students able to recall information for flash cards? Are students labeling the correct notes for recorder? Are students clapping correct rhythms? Are students labeling the correct lines and spaces for staff?

5th Grade:

EQ:Essential Question(s): Can you count rhythms, identify lines and spaces on the staff, and write in the correct notes and fingerings for recorder?

Direct Instruction (I DO):
Explain and demonstrate each of the 4-5 stations that we will be completing today.

Guided Practice (WE DO):
Station 1-practice with students how to use and identify flash cards

Station 2-show students how the Hidden FACE game works on the smartboard. help students remember the Even George Bush Drives Fast and the FACE mall reference

Station 3- have students identify the notes on the staff and the strings they will be using

Staion 4- put rhythm sheet on overhead and have them practice clapping and saying rhythms as a group.

Station 5-play guitar


Independent Practice (YOU DO):
Station 1: Flash Cards-Students review notes, rests, and other staff symbols with each other
Station 2: Hidden FACE-Students play smartboard game where they label the staff's spaces and lines
Station3: Write in notes-Students write in notes and fingerings for a recorder song
Station 4: Rhythm Sheet-Students clap and pg1-2 in Winning Rhythms
Station 5: Play guitar line that they just wrote on overhead


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Assessment: Are students able to recall information for flash cards? Are students labeling the correct notes for recorder? Are students clapping correct rhythms? Are students labeling the correct lines and spaces for staff?

K-1

Worked on Wee Willie Winkie.

EQ:Essential Question(s): Can you play the orff instruments? Can you sing the song while one group plays


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Direct Instruction (I DO): Introduce song. Have rhythm posted on board clap and say rhythm for students


Song: Wee Willie Winkie

Wee Willie Winkie
Runs through the town
Upstairs and downstairs
In his night gown.
Rapping at the window
Crying through the locks
Are the children in their beds?
For it's eight o'clock

Guided Practice (WE DO): Sing first phrase of song, children repeat.
Continue until parts of song are learned.
Clap and say rhythm-Have students identify the types of notes(quarter note, eighth note, quarter rest)
Have students clap rhythm on hands. Once comfortable transfer to lap. Once comfortable with that start transferring to Orff instruments.
Students play in unison, while other students clap rhythm


Independent Practice (YOU DO): Once group of students play Orff instruments in unison. Group two sings Wee Willie Winkie


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Assessment: Can students play rhythm on the board? Can they play in unison. Can second group sing while the other group is playing?


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Higher Order Questioning: What does rapping mean in this song? What does crying in this song mean?


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Differentiated Instruction: Work with students that are having hard time with Orff instruments by 1. demonstrating and 2. playing alongside student until they are able to play the rhythm on Orff instrument



2nd Grade did Rhythm Rockets:

EQ:Essential Question(s): Can you identify the rhythm you are about to hear?


Direct Instruction (I DO):
Distribute Rhythm Rockets cards and clothespin or clips to each student. Start the activity with some note recognition questions:

How many Quarter notes do you see?
Are there any whole notes?
Which pattern has the most sets of eighth notes?


Guided Practice (WE DO):
Students are divided into groups of 4
Clap rhythm pattern while speaking rhythm syllables and have students echo pattern.
Place clip on rocket by the pattern they heard.

Independent Practice (YOU DO):

-Progress to clapping without aid of spoken syllables
-Students discuss and identify rhythm

Assessment: One student from each group will come up and tell teacher what rhythm they heard. Teacher will give class feedback on what rhythm was played.


Higher Order Questioning: What is happening when you don't hear anything? Answer: Rests


Differentiated Instruction:
Lv. 1-Play one rhythm at a time
Lv 2.-Play two rhythms consecutively
Lv 3. Students plays one rhythm
Refuel; play Winning Rhythm Sheet