What we're up to this week!

K -1
Students are continuing their work on quarter note, eighth notes and quarter rests. This week we are going to continue discovering the rhythms in the songs we are learning, and in addition will begin to talk about the notes of the songs. The students are going to be introduced to "so" and "mi" this week as we start to isolate these two pitches and identify them in the songs we are learning. Our song last week, "Macaroni" had these two pitches. Our new song this week, "See Saw", also has these pitches.

We are also going to continue learning about dynamics. This week we will learn a soft song, "Starlight". Students will learn to sing the song and accompany our singing on the xylophones. What a coincidence, this song ALSO is written with "so" and "mi" pitches!  The students will also finish learning how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle" on the xylophones.

Gr. 2/3
Our grade 2 and 3 students are going strong on Recorder Karate! They have all achieved their white, yellow and orange belts. We're now working on the much more challenging new song for their green belt, "B.A.G.E Blues". It's a lot harder to memorize, and it uses a new note "E", and has a new note value, half note! Lots to deal with. But the students are up to the challenge!

We are also going to start looking at the musical staff, and how notes are written on the staff. Specifically, students will learn how to notate the pitches B,A,G and E, putting them on the correct line or space, and how to draw treble clef. This will be built upon next week as they do a Valentine's themed composition activity. As they learn new notes on the recorder in the upcoming weeks after that, I will show them where these notes lie on the staff.

Gr. 4/5
The 4/5's continue on with their ukulele. We have just about perfected "Lean On Me", with all students playing all three chords. We will continue to polish it this week. The students will also start learning a new song, "Country Roads", by John Denver. This song uses the same chords as "Lean On Me", plus another chord, Bm.  I am also going to teach the class how to play a simple picking song, "Mary Had a Little Lamb", in preparation for a more difficult picking song that we will start next week, "Happiness Blues". It's one of my favourite picking songs! Such a catchy melody!

Gr. 4/5/6 and 5/6
Our amazing students have really been wowing on the guitars. They have learned "Lean On Me", and most are successful in playing all three chords while singing the words of the song! Not an easy task! We will continue to polish the song this week.

I am going to begin a new topic with the students this week. Students will be learning about the Blues, and in the weeks to come will learn about various blues musicians, the lyrical form of blues songs, where the blues originated, and will even compose their own blues songs in small groups. This week, however, I am going to teach the classes the basic 12 Bar Blues progression, which they will play on guitars and other pitched percussion instruments we have in the music room. I will introduce them to the blues using a simple song called "Jam and Jelly Blues", recorded by Glenn Miller. The students will accompany singing while playing the 12 Bar Blues progression on guitars. They will also have the opportunity to compose a short verse for the song.



Looking forward to an exciting week with all the students! Also, Mrs. Bannister's class  is performing in our assembly on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. Parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to attend. The class will be showcasing their folk dance to "Kinderpolka".


~Mrs. Caya