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!