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Authors Kindergarten students bravely share their writing as they develop their personal skills as authors. | Engineers Fourth grade students capitalize on their creativity and scientific thinking to create technical drawings of their lunar vehicles. | Collaborators First graders work with partners to explore their understandings of measurement through non-standard units. |
Authors
Engineers
Collaborators
Music Notes with Mr. Doublestein
Dear Families -
A couple weeks ago I had so much fun surprising our older students with recorders, which for most of them is their very first real instrument that they don’t have to share. It was a day that our fourth graders had waited for all year, a day that our third graders hadn’t expected, and a day that I suspect none of them will soon forget. Needless to say the kids had an absolute blast discovering their new instruments and trying them out. Since then I’ve taught them how to control their breathing in order to produce musical sounds. They’ve learned how to play three notes, G A and B, and they’ve even learned how to play their first song, “Hot Cross Buns.”
So why recorder? First, playing the recorder allows students to apply the musical concepts they are already learning in the classroom. By performing a simple melody on the recorder they are keeping a steady beat, playing a rhythm, reading notes, and making connections to a wide variety of other musical concepts. In addition, the recorder also serves as a stepping stone to learning other more advanced instruments in the future. Before we know it many of our students will use what they are learning to help them transition to band or orchestra instruments for middle school, and it’s my hope that they will do so having already built a strong foundation of musical understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment. This is a big step for them, and super fun for me to encourage.
The kids are dying to bring their recorders home, but before they do I’m making sure that they can make great music that everyone in the house will enjoy (you’re welcome J). Once that happens you can expect to be greeted by happy kids who want nothing more than to delight you with an in-home concert. Once the newness wears off you may notice some discouragement coming from those who are struggling. If your child ever comes home discouraged please remind them that making mistakes is a part of music, that they have already made a lot of progress, and that learning a new skill takes lots of practice. They won’t be perfect right away, but that’s ok, and they can always come to their music teacher for help.
To learn more about why we learn to play recorders, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=87&v=ET9k10btZ0Y
Enjoy this coming season of learning and make sure your kids know how proud of them you are!
-Mr. Doublestein
Your Stuff Misses You
Please stop by to see if your missing item needs to find its way home.
Upcoming Events & Important Info
December
20th - Winter Parties
21st- Winter Parties, Last Day of School before Winter Break
January
7th - Students return to school
21st - Dr. MLK, jr Day (no school)
23rd - Family STEM Night "Cardboard Challenge" 6:00-7:30
Texts from SchoolMessenger
From time to time Boone Meadow uses SchoolMessenger to send a text to all of the families. If you haven't been receiving texts from us, you may need to opt-in by sending YES to the SchoolMessenger short code of 68453. Contact Beth Kiel in the front office if you have any questions!
