3rd - 5th Graders Pre-Test, and Learning To Play The Recorder  

                  The 3rd - 5th grade students will start the year by taking a music pre-test to see what they remember from last year. They will follow that by studying various music symbols, vocabulary, composers, and history. During the 1st and 2nd Nine Weeks, they will learn to play rhythms on the drum, and play melodic lines on the xylophone. They will also see how music relates to the other subjects they are studying. 

       During the 3rd and 4th Nine Weeks the students will learn to play the Recorder. This is an Orff Instrument.  Please click on the link to learn the proper way to play.

Recorder Basics BAG -Recorder Basics 

Recorder Basics - https://youtu.be/CkHMfEA4CF8 and https://youtu.be/-d6uVjIEkMY

If your child has their own recorder, they are encouraged to bring it. Otherwise each student will be issued their own recorder so they do not have to share with anyone else. The recorders will not be allowed to go home. If you would like to purchase your child their own recorder so they can practice, please call or go to Pecknel Music, Guitar Center, Music in Arts, or any other music store to purchase one for them. They will continue learning about music symbols, rhythms, styles, vocabulary, and history.

During the course of the year, the students will learn to sing various songs to prepare for our All School Concert, Fine Arts Concert, and other music opportunities.

The students are also learning to play various rhythms on percussion instruments, and singing / listening to various music from around the world using the Kodaly and Solfege.

Solfège is the ABC’s of music. It teaches pitch, to hear and sing harmonies, and how to write down music you create in your head. In other words, Solfège transforms you into the next Mozart or singing diva. Maybe you were introduced to Solfège briefly in a music class or from watching “The Sound of Music,” but let’s talk about what it really is. Solfège describes the musical scale using one-vowel-sound syllables that sing easier than the traditional 8-note scale names: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C or scale numbers: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1. The Solfège scale looks like this: Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do. Solfège is not only easier to sing, but simplifies music and works with complicated scores as well. For instance, I just described a C-Major scale, but Solfège also describes minor and non-traditional scales, too.

K5 - 3rd Grade Learning To Play and Sing Songs From Around The World           

The students in the K5-3rd grades are learning to play various rhythms on percussion instruments, and singing / listening to various music from around the world using the Kodaly and Solfege hand signs "low Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La Ti, high Do".

Solfège is the ABC’s of music. It teaches pitch, to hear and sing harmonies, and how to write down music you create in your head. In other words, Solfège transforms you into the next Mozart or singing diva. Maybe you were introduced to Solfège briefly in a music class or from watching “The Sound of Music,” but let’s talk about what it really is. Solfège describes the musical scale using one-vowel-sound syllables that sing easier than the traditional 8-note scale names: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C or scale numbers: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1. The Solfège scale looks like this: Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do. Solfège is not only easier to sing, but simplifies music and works with complicated scores as well. For instance, I just described a C-Major scale, but Solfège also describes minor and non-traditional scales, too.

Units of Study For Each Grade Level

In addition to using our Quaver Computer Music Curriculum during the 3rd Nine Weeks, the students will be learning about the Civil Rights Era and how music was such an important part of the movement. We will be listening to Negro Spirituals, Jazz, Country, Blue Grass, Folk Songs, and the Blues. I encourage you to talk to your student about the importance of people being treated Equally and Fairly as well as share your knowledge of the music. They will also be learning about Valentines Day, as well as St. Patrick's Day as we incorporate the music and dances related to these holidays.

The 4th & 5th Grade students will have the opportunity to learn to read music in the treble clef by playing the Recorder, the Xylophone, and the piano. We have enough recorders for the students to use during the school day, and will wash them in the cafeteria to make sure they are clean. If your child has a recorder, I ask that they keep it at home to practice on instead of bringing it to school.

The 3rd Grade students will be introduced to songs related to South Carolina and Patriotic Songs that were popular and are still popular in our state. 

The K5, 1st, and 2nd Grade students will be introduced to music, rhythms, and instrument sounds including playing the percussion instruments.

Music For Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15th - Oct. 15th

Look under More and click the Hispanic Heritage Month link to see what we are planning to do. Our schoolwide celebration will be Friday October 6th during the school day. 

Music For Veterans Day

Look under More at the top of the page and click the Veterans Day link to see some of what we will teach our music students.

Music For Thanksgiving

Look under More at the top of the page and click the Thanksgiving Day link to see some of what we will teach our music students.

Christmas Season Lyrics and Links 

Give your child a head start by letting them listen to their Christmas music and singing it with them. You will enjoy the concert more knowing that you had a hand in their learning. Please look under the more button on the top right hand side of the page to see the lyrics. The K5 & 1st Grade will sing together, the 2nd & 3rd grade will sing together, and the 4th & 5th graders will sing together. I am planning for the Honors Chorus to present the musical "Toys, The Night They Came Alive. 

Music of The Civil Rights Movement

1. Blowing In The Wind by Peter, Paul, & Mary - https://youtu.be/Ld6fAO4idaI

2. We Shall Over Come - performed by Morehouse College Male Choir - https://youtu.be/Aor6-DkzBJ0

3. If I Had A Hammer - https://youtu.be/XxWTDcP9Y5E

4. Bridge Over Troubled Waters - 

5. The History of We Shall Over Come - https://youtu.be/N-FmQEFFFko

6. Oh Freedom - https://youtu.be/veiJLhXdwn8

7. Ain't Gonna Let Nobody turn Me Around - https://youtu.be/WPuBGcng6Tw

8. A change Is Coming by Sam Cooke - https://youtu.be/wEBlaMOmKV4?list=RDAor6-DkzBJ0

9. Can't Turn Me Round - https://youtu.be/ta6UmkqzZA0?list=RDAor6-DkzBJ0

American Folk Songs

1. This Land Is Your Land - https://youtu.be/wxiMrvDbq3s?list=RDAor6-DkzBJ0

2. Oh Susana - https://youtu.be/-9qRad6pWQI

3. Camptown Races - https://youtu.be/-ynyKZuUSpM

4. She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain - https://youtu.be/Ghd-xL5gAjc

5. Turkey In The Straw - https://youtu.be/VsnZxfkkoKQ

Black History Month

Grove Elementary School will be celebrating Black History Month throughout the month of February 2019. Stay tuned to some important activities that will take place as we get closer to the date.