Zoo Pals Compositions

The 2nd graders have been studying ABA Form. We used Zoo Pals plates to compose a piece in ABA Form and then added rhythmic body percussion. The students were put into groups of threes to create their piece, practice it, and then perform it for the class.

Music Symbol Centers

The 5th graders have been studying all of the music symbols from our classroom rug. They need to be able to identify each symbol and explain what it means. To help us practice, we did Music Symbol Stations. There were 4 stations: Symbol Sorry, Symbol Race, Swat the Symbol, and Music Symbol Bingo. Here are some pictures of the kids playing the games at each station.

 

Music Symbol Bingo:
The students create their own cards first.

Symbol Sorry:
Much like the board game Sorry!, only they have to name the music symbol they land on.

Swat the Symbol:
A caller calls out the name of a symbol and the students race to swat it on the board with flyswatters.

Symbol Race:
Students race to see who can correctly identify the most symbols. They place a marker on each square they answer correctly. The person with the most markers wins.

 

Instrument Inventions

I found a great lesson on a blog I follow (http://bethsmusicnotes.blogspot.com) for creating instruments. First, we studied Ethnomusicology-The study of instruments of the world. We learned that there are 4 categories of world instruments based on what vibrates to make their sounds. Aerophones (air), Chordophones (strings), Membranophones (stretched skin), & Idiophones (solid matter). We then set out to create our own instruments to fit into one of these categories. Instruments were to be made from everyday household materials and had to make at least 3 sounds. No labels or brand names were allowed to be showing and they were to look professional. The instruments they came up with far exceeded my expectations!

After creating their instruments, they then had to compose a sound piece and perform it for the class. A sound piece is a modern form of composition that uses symbols, shapes, colors, and numbers rather than traditional music notation. They needed to include dynamics and it had to be between 20 & 40 seconds long. These were also great! I've posted pictures below of a few of the instruments and sound pieces that were created.

Idiophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone

Idiophone

Chordophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone (top left), Membranophone (top middle), Aerophone & Idiophone (top right)
Sound Piece to go with the Chordophone next to it (bottom)

Membranophone & Sound Piece

Various Idiophones and Membranophones

Chordophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone

Sound Piece to go with the Idiophone pictured above.

Idiophone

Ahoy There, Mateys!!

The 3rd and 4th graders just completed their program, "How to Be A Pirate in Seven Easy Songs" by Greg Gilpin. We had hats, hooks, swords, eye patches, telescopes, treasure....and on and on! It was WONDERFUL!! The kids were pumped and the house was packed. I couldn't have asked for a better program. Here are a few pics from the night. A big shout-out to our principal who played the part of the "Pirate in training". What a great guy!

The 7 Rules of Bein' A Good Pirate

The Captain and his 1st Mate

Our "Special Pirate" is all dressed up!

Arrr! We be making pirate telescopes!

The 3rd and 4th graders are preparing for their upcoming musical, "How to Be a Pirate in Seven Easy Songs" by Greg Gilpin. We are making several of our own props, including telescopes. We had a contest to see which groups could keep their stations the cleanest. As you can see, they were taking this contest very seriously! Don't they look great?!

Parachutes, Ribbons, and Scarves...Oh My!

Here are some pictures of my students doing activities from Artie Almeida's book, "Parachutes, Ribbons, and Scarves...Oh My!" This is a great movement resource book I purchased this year. 

"The Syncopated Clock" scarf activity with 1st grade.

"Finale" from the "William Tell Overture" Parachute activity with 5th Grade

Tennis Ball Beats

This was a fun activity I found on Pinterest. Using tennis balls, these 4th graders had to keep the beat by counting either whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, or eighth notes. Whole notes were passed around our waists, half notes were bounced, quarter notes were tossed in one hand, and eighth notes were tossed back and forth between both hands. When we got pretty good at doing these four things to a steady beat, we added "The Stars and Stripes Forever" to the mix. We performed each action to the music for 16 beats and then switched. Very cool!

Bouncing half notes

Tossing quarter notes

Keep your eyes on the ball!

Quick eighth notes

Such concentration!

Surround the State in Song

Once again, 6 of my 5th and 6th grade choir students attended the "Surround the State in Song" honor choir sponsored by NDACDA. This year, our school hosted the event, which was great! Dr. Charlette Moe from NDSU was our guest conductor. The students had a great day rehearsing and performed a wonderful concert that night. They sang songs in Hebrew and African, and also learned how to scat sing. Here are some pictures of our day. For more pictures and information, you can check out the NDACDA website at www.ndacda.com.

The entire choir-Students from 5 area schools attended.

Ely Elementary and Little Flower Elementary participants with their teachers.

My lovely singers!

Krazy Kazoos!

The 2nd graders created their very own kazoos this month out of toilet paper rolls, waxed paper, and a rubber band. We then used our kazoos to play along with "Old King Cole/Hey Diddle Diddle" from "Gettin' Down With Mamma Goose". The kids had a great time decorating their kazoos and playing them.