The year has being going extremely well. Here is what our classes in the Williams Elementary Music Department have been up to:
Kindergarten-The kindergarten classes have been studying beat. Beat is the pulse of the music. The students have listened to various songs and have tried to identify the beat. We use stuffed animals that are called the beat buddies. If a song has a beat, then students respond by moving the beat buddy along to the pulse of the song. We began studying Hispanic Heritage month and the Kindergarten students learned how to do a simple version of the tango.
1st grade has also studied beat as well. We also expanded and started reviewing rhythms. Students should be able to identify quarter notes, half notes, and quarter rests. They should be able to clap rhythm lines and maintain a steady beat while doing so.
2nd grade classes have studied beat and rhythm but we have added the Orff xylophones. Students learned about Ostinato, pitched vs. unpitched instruments, metal vs. wood instruments.
3rd grade classes have studied recorder. So far they have learned how to play notes B, A, G. They began learning how to read the treble clef staff, should be able to recognize time signatures, and measures. I am really happy that they can read the notes on a treble clef staff.
4th grade classes began playing piano. Some of our students have a background in piano, however, many of our students do not. Those students have been able to catch on very quickly on how to read music for the piano, the finger numbers, and play simple songs successfully. Don't forget that we had a quiz and if you received a note about making up the quiz please do so by October 16.
5th grade classes began playing guitar. So far they have learned how to play EFG and BCD on the first two strings of the guitar. The plan is to introduce a couple of chords in the next few weeks and to try to finish being able to play individual notes on all six strings by the end of the semester. I have made a study guide to help them with the first two strings. If they can practice it, then they will learn faster. Even if you don't have access to a guitar outside of school, then looking at the sheet and following the instructions on how to complete the worksheet will help.
I will try to make piano and recorder study guides for the 4th and 3rd grade students.
Finally, to wrap up Hispanic Heritage month, all classes will study Tito Puente. Tito Puente is an American percussionist who's specialty was timbales. We have watched a couple of videos and even tried dancing a little salsa and mambo.
I hope to get some podcasts up our class activities in the next few weeks.
Finally, the band and chorus blogs are going away. In order to help me manage websites more efficiently, I have created their own page on the main music page. The information will still be the same but it will just be on their respective pages on this site.
