Students have been singing the song of the month, WITS. This song is a reminder of our school-wide program, "WITS", which stands for
Walk away
Ignore
Talk it out
Seek Help
WITS aims to help students find practical solutions to bullying behaviour.
Primary students are also learning all about the beat in music, what it is, and how to move to it, play to it, and tap their toes to the beat! Since it is in all music, being able to feel the beat and play on the beat is crucial. They are also learning fun circle songs and games to get to know each other, and begin working together cooperatively. Some of the songs we have learned are...
Cookie Jar
Hey There Neighbour
Bluebird, Bluebird
Apple Tree
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Intermediate students have jumped right into learning songs on the xylophones. We are using the songs as a tool to review rhythms, and to review our note names and where they sit on the keyboard. We are learning the song "Balafon", which has three different parts plus extra instruments (drums, shakers, etc!) The students have been doing an amazing job listening to each other, playing on a steady beat, and reading and playing rhythms properly!
~Mrs. Caya
Apple Tree - This game is played in a circle. Before we play the game, we keep a steady beat and sing the words. To play the game, two students are the "Apple Tree", and the rest of the students are the "apples". The apples walk around in the circle while singing, going underneath the arms of the apple tree. On the last word, "out", the arms of the tree go down, catching one of the apples! The game is played until all students have become trees.
This is a great learning tool to teach and review quarter notes and pairs of eighth notes. We also use a tool with apple pictures cut out, on high and low lines, in the same rhythmic pattern as the song. After learning the song, I can point to the "apple notes" and we learn and discuss how the notes are high and low, later adding the solfege terms so - mi - la.
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