Specials Addition
February 2020
PLTW
Music
5th grade is starting a unit of musical compositions! We be putting into practice all of the skills we have learned thus far as we use these skills to write our own songs. We'll be writing a melody for the recorder, which we will then write ukulele chords and rhythms to accompany.
4th grade has wrapped up our recorder unit. We performed songs for the class, practiced reading music we've never seen before (sight-reading), and even composed our own songs for the recorder. Our 4th graders have been working so hard! I'm very proud of them! Next up will be some more ukulele skill building!
Now that our music show is over, our 3rd graders will be learning how to play chords on the ukulele. We'll also return to learning some basic back beat patterns on the drum set. Don't lose your recorder! We will be bringing these back to school to learn some more recorder songs before the school year is out!
Our second graders are continuing to learn the pitches of the pentatonic scale (do, re, mi, so, and la) and practice reading rhythms that include half notes. We've been using these concepts as we play the ukuleles.
In first grade, we've been learning how to strum rhythm patterns on the ukulele. We're also starting to learn a new pitch (la) so we can sing and play a three-note chant. We'll be playing so, mi, and la on xylophones this coming month.
Kindergarten standards in music are all about musical opposites: high and low, fast and slow, loud and soft, strong and weak beats. We've learned all about tempo (fast and slow) so now we're learning about pitch (high and low.) We'll be performing high and low pitches on classroom instruments like xylophones and ukuleles soon!
Rhythms in First Grade
Playing instruments in 2nd Grade
Recorders in 4th Grade
Quaver Music Web Site
I have already created accounts for all of our students here at Sunset! To access your student's account at home, go to quavermusic.com/, and log in. The username is "mc" plus your student's four-digit lunch code. The universal password "bulldog." Once you have logged on, you can go to the "social profile" and update the email address, and then you can change the password to one of your choosing.
This is a GREAT resource, and so fun to explore at home! If you have internet outside of school, let your student log in and practice their growing musical skills at home! They can even receive extra "points" to use on the website by logging in with the code, "He Had a Dream."
Physical Education
2020 is here and we are already in full swing here in Physical Education. With a new year, there are new changes, new challenges, and new ways to help our students grow! I hope this letter finds you well and I hope you are having a great start to the year!
Staying active during the winter time is important. The Center for Disease Control (CDE.Gov) states, "Aerobic activity should make up most of your child's 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week".
Good Moving Shoes
Tumbling
Goal Setting
Feedback
Growth Mindset Quotes: For our students and by our students
You can never achieve it if you don't dream it. Abby Fraher
Dream it, wish it, do it. William Roberts
If you don't believe in your dreams, where will your life lead to? Madalin Larson
Dream it, think it, do it Khodee
If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Julius Green
Before you can get up, first you must fall. Marilee Mowdy
Never give up, never give in, we've gotta fight for what we believe in. Jake Sherwood
"Hakuna Matata" Timon from the Lion King by way of Madalin Larson
If you believe, do not stop believing. Jake Sherwood
Everybody can better. Even Michael Jordan could've gotten better. Braiden Roberts
A mistake is a pathway to learning that lasts forever. Monica Colby