November/December 2017 Announcements

• The Winter Concert will be Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 6:00pm in the cafeteria. Everyone is invited!
• The concert is not mandatory but participating students will receive extra credit toward their music grade. 
• Please arrive by 5:30 so we can stage the students and line up so we can get started on time. Students usually will wait in a classroom until it is time for their grade level to perform. 
• Please wear a polo or a school t-shirt and jeans. Polos can be red, green, white, blue, or any festive color. Students may dress up if they want. If your child wants to perform but doesn't have a polo or a school shirt, then please come any way.  
• The concert should last approximately 1hr and will feature all grade levels, the chorus, and the band.
• The students will do songs about winter, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. 
• Thank you in advance for your help in making this a great concert!

• The resource team will send out a monthly newsletter. We have sent out the one for November/December. Please ask your child for your copy.
• Please encourage your child to always to do their best in music. Students receive a letter grade for music. 
• If you have questions about your child's grade or performance in music class please call Mr. Thomas at the school at 955-6719 or your may email him at thomasmv@gm.sbac.edu.

Announcements for the week of Oct. 2, 2017

Williams Elementary Music Parents:

Here a few announcements for the upcoming week:

1. Resource will begin sending home a monthly newsletter to keep families updated about what is going on in their respective classes.

2. 3rd-5th grades will go to the computer lab next week to learn or review how to log into Edmodo.com. Parents are strongly encouraged to get the parent codes and log in if you have internet access. Tablets and smartphones can be utilized as well. Just download the Edmodo app. I will send home a form with instructions to also use Remind.com. It will give you a code and text you when we have assignments due. We will also use the old fashioned newsletter from resource as well. I am checking the schedule to see if we can offer a night so parents can learn how to use Edmodo. If you have any issues with any of the assignments please let me know and an alternative assignment can be provided.

3.3rd-5th grade students will also have a quiz in music after we done in the computer lab. 3rd grade's quiz is how to hold a recorder. There is a study guide. 4th Grade's quiz is to write in the finger numbers for piano. 5th grade's quiz is label the parts of the guitar.

Clubs

Attention Williams Elementary Parents:

Music Clubs are now starting up!

4th and 5th Grade Band will have tryouts on Thursday from 1:45-2:30. Club dues are $10. Even though band is officially starting next week, I can also try kids out for instruments next Tuesday and Thursday as well. Students don't need to know how to play an instrument in order to try out. I have a few instruments available to borrow for the year. Please pay a fee of $50 to cover cleaning and light repairs. I have two flutes, two trombones, two trumpets, and one clarinet available to borrow. First come, first served. Students will also still need to purchase a stand and a book. You may come see Mr. Thomas for a form or download one from this website.

Chorus has started. It is open to 2nd-5th grade students. Club dues are $10. If your child is interested please come see Mr. Thomas. You may also download a form from this website.

Both groups are open to 4th and 5th grade students for a cost of $15.

Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year!

Welcome back everyone!

For those of you that are new to our school, welcome. My name is Mr. Thomas. I am excited to be your music teacher here at Williams Elementary. This year we have many educational and fun things planned in music.  K-2 will work on fundamentals of singing and learning rhythms. They will also learn about some basic fundamentals of music such as high and low and fast and slow. 3rd grade will focus on playing recorder, 4th grade will focus on playing piano, and 5th grade will focus on playing guitar. Each grade level has a method book specific to what they are learning if you wish to purchase the book, then you may visit one of the music stores in town or purchase online. Please click on the books we use link to learn more. Books and other musical equipment can be purchased at Hoggtowne Music or Great Southern Music or any other reputable music store. I have posted their links at the bottom of the page as well.  

We also have extracurricular activities in music. The Wildcat Chorus is open to students from grades 2nd-5th. The band is open to students in 4th and 5th grade only. We will also have Zumba Kids for the kids in the morning before school starts as well.

Just like last year, I have integrated technology into my classroom. 3rd-5th grade students will be given the chance to interact on an educational media site called Edmodo. Students will be given questions about music or performances and will have the opportunity respond. It is similar to Facebook but it is for the classroom and will be moderated by me. We have several performances planned for the year including the Winter Holiday Concert, Black History Celebration, and many others.

My grading scale and class expectations are posted on the bottom of this page. Please remember grading starts the first day of music.

I look forward to working with you and your children this year. Please feel free to stop by the music room any time if you have any questions or concerns or would like to volunteer.