Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to school! We have had a busy school year so far, and we still have lots of fun coming! Here is what we are doing in each grade level right now:


  • 3rd Grade: We are going to really jump into learning our recorders. So far, we have learned 3 notes, B, A, and G. Now we are beginning to put these notes into more complex songs. Students haven't had a chance to play for me individually yet, which will earn karate belts on their recorder, but they will have a chance soon. At the end of every 3 lessons, students will have a playing test day. On these days, we will move around the room in centers, and one of the centers will be playing individually for me. At some point in the spring, 3rd grade students will have an in-class performance for parents, demonstrating the skills they have learned so far. 
  • 4th Grade: We have been working hard on rounding out our recorder skills and getting everyone on the same page. The students are doing a great job, and we will begin working on some new songs soon, hopefully involving some other classroom instruments and singing. In addition, we will begin working on music for our upcoming spring productions. We will let you know as soon as we know dates and details.
  • 5th Grade: 
    • Students have been put into groups to work on a class project, the Commercial Project. Each group has come up with a fictional product they would like to market. Now, they are moving on to writing an ad for their commercial, drawing an ad for a magazine, writing background music for the ad with classroom instruments, writing jingle music and lyrics using Quaver music and chrome books, and then adding any final touches, such as props, costumes, etc. It really is a fun project! 
    • In February, students will spend some time learning about African American music history. This unit will take students through many genres of music, including spirituals, ragtime, blues, jazz, soul, gospel, hip hop, rap.
    • During late spring, classes will work on preparing some musical selections to possibly perform for parents in an in-class performance. 
  • All classes: Students continue to do monthly listening examples. Also, students will have the opportunity to audition for the annual talent show this spring. 
Mrs. Hanson