Music News
September, 2012
Welcome to Music!
Each month, I will post a new issue of Music News on my website! Please check for upcoming events, concert information, and a brief synopsis of what each grade level has been working on in music class. This is a great way for us to keep in touch and stay informed.
Kindergarten
One important goal we have in kindergarten music is simply to find our singing voices and be able to match pitch. We have already learned a number of greeting and friendship songs that are helping us develop those nice singing voices. Ask your child to share our “Hello Song” and “Color Song” with you! We’ve also learned that in music, almost everything has a steady beat. We’ve been practicing our steady beat by clapping, stomping, snapping, walking, nodding, and even playing instruments to the beat!
1st Grade
Our 1st graders have spent a lot of time this month reviewing the four kinds of voices that we have – singing, speaking, whispering, and shouting. We have also been using listening maps to help us learn about melodic direction (when our voice needs to go higher or lower). Ask your child to share with you two of our favorite songs that used listening maps: “The Little Green Frog” and “Leaves”!
2nd Grade
Our 2nd graders have been working hard to increase our knowledge of different kinds of rhythms and notes. We now know how to read notes and rests that are worth 1, 2, 3, and even 4 beats! Two of our favorite songs that use half notes and whole notes are "Frere Jacques" and "My Father's House"! We will be starting to work on our concert songs very soon. Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 PM!
3rd Grade
Our 3rd graders have been learning about different forms, or patterns, that music can have. We have sung a wide variety of songs that have included call-and-response phrases, verses and refrains, and even some rondos! Ask your child to share two of our favorite songs with you: "Jambo" and “Froggy Went a-Courtin”! 3rd graders will also start working on our concert songs in the next few weeks. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 11th at 7:30 PM!
4th Grade
Our 4th graders have spent the beginning of the school year studying and singing different anthems and songs that represent our country, state, and school. We learned the history behind “The Star-Spangled Banner” and discussed what kinds of characteristics in the music make it such a great anthem. Students also had the opportunity to write their own anthem to represent their own 4th grade class! Ask your child to share their work with you – I was really impressed with the songs our students composed!
5th Grade
Our fifth graders kicked off the school year with recorders! Students have been individually assigned school-owned recorders and books that they will be using for the duration of our unit. Please help your student remember to bring their materials to school on the days that they have music class (5J meets on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5S meets on Thursdays and Fridays). Encourage your student as they practice at home; they have been working very hard to produce a nice sound on their recorders! Students have also had the opportunity to try out many beginning band instruments, and we will soon be making our final instrument choices! Lessons will start in mid-October!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
5th Grade Band Meeting for Parents/Students - DES Cafeteria
Monday, Oct 8, 2012, 06:30 PM
Deerfield Elementary School, West Quarry Street, Deerfield, WI
Other Important Dates
- 2nd/3rd Grade Concerts - Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
- 1st/4th Grade Concerts - Thursday, March 21st, 2013
- Kindergarten/5th Grade Concerts - Thursday, May 16th, 2013
Contact Me!
Email: ericksona@deerfield.k12.wi.us
Website: www.deerfield.k12.wi.us/faculty/ericksona
Location: 340 West Quarry Street, Deerfield, WI
Phone: (608) 764-5442 (5137)