Quarter 4 - 1st Grade Instruments 

In Quarter 4, 1st graders learned about the fundamentals of rhythm: quarter notes (one sound - "ta"), eighth notes (two sounds - "ta-di"), and quarter rests (one beat of silence). After understanding how to clap and count the rhythms, we got to use rhythm sticks with play along videos to our favorite songs. We also learned a game called "Poison Rhythm," where students had to freeze when the forbidden rhythm pattern came up or they would be out! Additionally, we've been exploring some other lesser-known instruments in the Music Room such as the ocean drum and Boomwhackers. After learning more about the orchestra, we've especially focused on the percussion family, which is where all of these fun instruments live! Boomwhackers also taught us about pitch, as each Boomwhacker corresponds to a different note on the piano (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do). We've been having so much fun trying out different ways to play the Boomwhackers and experimenting with what happens when different colors play together and create harmony (chords).

Quarter 3 - Recorders!!

3rd and 4th Grade

In Quarter 3, third and fourth grade students have been studying the recorder, in addition to preparing for the Spring Arts Festival. Each student received their very own recorder which they will get to take home at the end of 4th grade! 

So far, we have focused on the foundations of wind instrument technique (blowing steady and gentle air, covering the holes completely, and using the correct fingers) as well as learning the notes E, G, A, and B. Students have learned songs such as Hot Cross Buns, The Boat Song, Rain, Rain Go Away, and our favorite -- Eye of the Tiger! 

Quarter 2 - Winter Arts Festival & Ensemble Skills

In Quarter 2, students focused on different holiday celebrations around the world, such as Diwali, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Las Posadas. They also shared what their families celebrate, such as Eid, Ramadan, and Lunar New Year. Then, we began the hard work of learning all our music in time for the Winter Arts Festival performances! Throughout our preparation, students developed their singing technique with vocalises and breathing exercises, learned about proper diction and expressive qualities to communicate more clearly with audience members, strengthened their ensemble knowledge by learning the importance of following a conductor to sing and stop at the same time, and even enhanced their musical selections by brainstorming movements to add to the songs. Students were so excited to have opportunities for whole grade-level dress rehearsals together in the cafeteria and for using the risers just like professional musicians do. :) After the performances, we reflected together on what went well and some areas we could work on more for next time. This led to the second half of our ensemble unit where students did collaborative passing games while keeping a steady beat such as "Button You Must Wander", folk dances with partners such as "Alabama Gal" and "Sasha", and activities like "I Have, Who Has," where they practiced reading rhythms out loud to find a classmate with the matching pattern.

Rehearsals on the risers (above) and with full grade-levels in the cafeteria (below).

Quarter 1 - Who We Are

Listening Logs - learning how to discuss new pieces of music, identify instrument families, notice the mood of a piece and how it makes us feel, and give opinions about what we hear.

Check out the NYS Music Standards by following this link