Music!!!!
NEW MAY 21st: Watch school counselors Miss Miller (ME) and Mrs. Houck (PCE) teach a music lesson! Both video links below.
Kin-2nd Music Ideas
For Home Learning
These are OPTIONAL, NON-REQUIRED ideas for Kin-2nd grade students. We will post 3 activity ideas each week for each grouping of grade levels to get your kids singing, moving, and working on music literacy skills!
3rd-5th Music Ideas
For Home Learning
These are OPTIONAL, NON-REQUIRED ideas for 3rd-5th grade students. We will post 3 activity ideas each week for each grouping of grade levels to get your kids singing, moving, and working on music literacy skills!
May 25-29
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Mbira
Last week the google doodle put up a some interesting trivia about the Mbira which is an instrument that you hold with both hands and play with your thumb , and it also has some fun play along challenges. Click on the link below and Enjoy playing and learning some facts about the instrument.
Below you can listen and watch someone play the mbira while a dog listens. Enjoy!
May 25-29
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
This is the song parody I never knew I needed! It's a song to remind you of the line and space notes on the treble clef, to the tune of "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift. Watch and enjoy (but be careful - it WILL get stuck in your head!)
May 25-29
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
LINE RIDERS! YAY!
As for the last week of school I think You will enjoy listening to a popular aria called the Les Toreadors” which means The Bullfighter. Not only will you listen, you will also get to watch a silly little animation of LINE RIDERS while the song is playing.
While that is happening I want you see how the LINE RIDERS jump from one line to another, some will long and some short. What is happening in the song when they ride on small lines and big lines? What happens to sound of the song when the LINE RIDERS go slow and fast. Enjoy!
May 25-29
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
I love the blues, and I love blues guitarists. Soloing on the guitar takes a ton of musical knowledge, coordination, and PRACTICE! The solos you see these guitarists performing are improvised, meaning they are made up ON THE SPOT.
Marcus King is one of my favorite musicians. He has a dynamite singing voice and is great at creating solo guitar melodies that are interesting and technically challenging (meaning his fingers need a LOT of coordination to make it happen.) He plays blues southern rock with his band (The Marcus King Band).
Greg Koch is also one of the best guitarists, able to make up very challenging riffs on the spot and perform them admirably. This is a little bit of a funkier solo ("funk" as in the style of music), which Greg likes to toss into his fun blues/progressive rock/jazz-style music.
Here's the final guitar solo video for you: BB King was an absolute legend of the blues. (He passed away in 2015.) His music is incredibly soulful and beautiful, as you can tell in this slightly slower but no less intense guitar solo.
Which guitar solo was your favorite? Do you like faster, technically challenging, rocker solos or do you enjoy the more soulful, melodic riffs?
May 25-29
K-2 Activity 3: Singing/Rap
Are you ready to test your rap skills?! In case you don't know a rap uses music and words with fast rhythm that tell a story like Cat-Hat, Boat-Goat, Ball-Fall. You might have heard some rap music. In the Movie Moana you might remember the Maui's song "Your Welcome". Most of the song he is just singing but in some one part he actually raps. You can listen or sing to the song if you want to but here are the words to the rap. Which words rhymed?
Now lets see if you can create your own rap. Below you just have to fill in the blanks. Then you can rap the song to the drum beat which is linked here:
May 25-29
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
This is just a hilarious video of talk show host/comedian Conan O'Brien creating blues songs with kids from a Chicago elementary school. It's a longer video, around 8 minutes, so don't feel like you HAVE to watch it - but if you do, I promise you won't be disappointed! (Parents too!)
Now it's time to make your OWN blues song!
Think of a topic for your sad blues song and make up a title. Use "The ___________ Blues" as a template, like "The Quarantine Blues" or "The Playground Blues."
Write the lyrics to your song. It's easiest to list four "problems" that go along with the theme of your topic. If you wrote "The Playground Blues," examples could be, "My friend isn't sharing the basketball," "I tripped and fell during Tag," "Mom says it's time to go," "The playground's slippery." Bonus points if you can get the ends of some lyrics to rhyme!
Think of a catchy melody (tune) for your song. Many songs have the same sort of tune repeating over and over, like what you hear Conan do, so it doesn't have to be complicated!
Record a video of your song! If you want background music, you can search "blues backing track" on Youtube and sing along with that!
May 18-22
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Echo rhythms with plastic cups!
For this activity you will need one plastic cup. NOT GLASS! If you do not have one, you can use anything that you can easily tap on the ground or table.
An echo is when sound is repeated the exact same way, like when you shout in a cave or in a forrest you can hear your voice repeat back to you, usually it is quieter.
For this activity I want you to watch the echo video above first before starting, that way you can see how it goes first because it does go fast. This exercise will help you improve your rhythm skills and your listening skills because you have to repeat what you hear by tapping the rhythm provided in the song. If it seems too hard to do by yourself, get someone to help you! Good luck!
May 18-22
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
Listening for the echo's.
Can you hear the echo in the song Mr. Stookesberry is playing? Enjoy!
Bach Prelude.movI have another "cultural literacy" activity for you this week. Click the link to access a video of a group of Maori women performing a traditional poi dance. The Maori people were the first to live in New Zealand, arriving there ~1,200 years ago. They carved wooden canoes, excelled in weaving, and also hunted and were warriors. The poi balls that you see being swung in the dance were used originally to train the male warriors and female weavers, strengthening their hands and arms and flexibility. Eventually, the poi routines became more culturally associated with dance and a celebration of Maori history, rather than a strength training exercise, and traditional dancers still excel in poi routines today (and sometimes even light the poi on fire!).
May 18-22
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
What better way to relax in quarantine than with one of the most famous and beautiful melodies of all time? The performer in this video performs the right-hand part on one piano and the left-hand accompaniment on a different piano. :O That takes some serious skills! Enjoy this short piece.
Bonus activity: If this song were in a short movie, what do you think the plot of the movie would be? Does the song sound happy? Sad? Mad? Silly? Do you imagine marching? Running? Sleeping? Dancing? Do you imagine characters fighting? Chatting? Learning? Working together in some way? Does the movie take place in 2020? In the 1800s? In medieval times? In America or a different country? Sketch out your idea for the movie, talk out the plot of the movie, and then you could even act out what happens in your film while you listen to the song!
May 18-22
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
My Aunt Came Back
The song "My Aunt Came Back" you will be echoing back the words to this song and some movements that go along with it. These movements will really challenge your brain because after each verse you add a movement, and the challenge is to see if you can do all the movements at the same time. This will improve your skills to do more than one thing at once. Watch the video first and learn the words and movements to the song first before you you try the dance moves. This is one of Mr. Stookesberry's favorite song challenges. Have fun!
( The lyrics will also show in the video, and below the video if you click Show More)
Yes, Ms. LeValley jams to pop music sometimes in addition to her love of classical music and oldie/funk music! :D Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes performed an acoustic set of 4 songs at home during all of this COVID stuff. It's fun to see famous singers perform without autotune/recorded music! Here is a breakdown of the songs. (In case you don't want to listen to their introduction, or if you just want to listen to a couple songs, there are links you can click to jump to the song you want!)
2:10 : Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran
8:14 : Lost in Japan - Shawn Mendes
13:48 : Havana - Camila Cabello Ft. Young Thug
20:34 : Señorita - Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello
May 11-15
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Music Symbols
In the document attachment below you can either print the document or just use another piece of paper because I want you to draw the 3 music notes and the 3 music symbols below the pictures in the empty boxes. If you can't print the document then use a piece of paper if you have one.
After you have finished drawing, watch and listen to the song "Happy Birthday" and I want you to see if you can find all the music notes and symbols that you drew.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ZBJ37OLHo
Now that you learned how to draw some music symbols you can now practice drawing them on your own time maybe even out on the sidewalk with chalk! Have fun.
May 11-15
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
Big and Small Instruments
Here is a question for you: Would you get a lower or higher sound with big instruments? What about smaller instruments?
Below I will be sharing with you 4 different sizes of saxophone instruments! And you will notice that they are shaped differently. The Smallest one you will see and hear is called a soprano saxophone. The next size up is an alto saxophone(the one used most often). The next biggest one is the tenor saxophone. And the biggest one is called the baritone saxophone. Each link below will show you what each one sounds like.
Link: Tenor Saxophone (Just listen to a few seconds of it)
Link: Baritone Saxophone (Just listen to a few seconds of it)
Now listen to them play all together!
Link: Jurassic Park Theme Saxophone
May 11-15
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
Here is a great song that I always love to sing. You might recognize it! Enjoy!
May 4-8
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Practice "ta", "ta-de", and "shh" (rest) without having to leave your home!
Brainstorm a theme (such as animals) and make a list of words that fit the theme that have one or two syllables - one or two "claps" to them. (example: "cat", "shark", "cow", "snake" are animals with one syllable a.k.a. one "clap." "Tiger", "blue jay", "dolphin" all have two syllables/claps). Other themes could be: types of foods, plants, household objects, colors, etc.
Click the link to print the activity sheet, or easily make your own by drawing 4 large boxes next to each other on a piece of paper.
Draw one of your category's words in each box.
Clap the rhythm of your pictures!
BONUS: You can also leave one box empty and use a beat of silence. OR, for an extra challenge, you can make EIGHT boxes in a row for an 8-beat rhythm!
May 4-8
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
Jared Halley sings ALL THE BACKGROUND PARTS in this cool a cappella (meaning no instruments are used - only voices) medley of songs.
Help your child understand that the drum sounds are made by this guy, as well as all the harmony parts AND the main singing parts. He has to record one part at a time and then put it all together!
He does songs from "The Lion King", "Mulan", "Tarzan", "Hercules", "The Lion King 2", and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Bonus: if you or your child hasn't seen one or more of these films, definitely check them out! Great music all around.
May 4-8
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
Learn a Spanish greeting song to the tune of the famous folk song, "Frere Jacques"/"Are You Sleeping?"
Watch the video first - then try the French and English versions!
French words to "Frere Jacques":
Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques,
(pronunciation: frair-uh Jah-kuh)
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
(pronunciation: dor-may voo)
Sonnez les matines, sonnez les matines, (pronunciation: sun-nay lay mah-tee-nuh)
Din din don, din din don.
(pronunciation: dahn dahn dohn)
English:
Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping,
Brother John? Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding ding dong! Ding ding dong!
April 27-May 1
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
The song is technically "Infernal Galop " from Act II, Scene 2 of Jacques Offenbach's 1858 operetta "Orpheus in the Underworld" - but you probably know it as "The Can-Can Song."
Choose a color in the video and clap the rhythm of that color when it reaches the line at the bottom of the screen. (It will make sense when you click it!) The yellow pattern is the trickiest. If clapping one color is too easy, here are a couple challenges:
-Try to clap the rhythm of 2 colors as you go.
-Grab a family member and try to keep track of clapping your own colors.
-Find household "instruments" to use while you play! (spoons, rolled-up magazines, lightly tap a glass with a toothpick or paper clip, etc.)
April 27-May 1
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
This is an AMAZING thing: The Des Moines Metro Opera, a nationally-renowned company, has an "Opera Iowa" series that tours to schools around Iowa every year with a children's opera. They have decided to post this year's opera, "Little Red's Most Unusual Day," for FREE for anyone to access. 5 years ago, PCM's Music Boosters paid for Opera Iowa to come to the PCM elementary schools. It was an incredible opportunity for our kids to see opera live. No, they can't see this performance in the flesh, but they can see quality, professional singers singing a show that will appeal to and engage this age of kids. Please, please have your kids watch!!
April 27-May 1
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
Sing with Ms. LeValley! I busted out one of my singing books, "Down By The Bay", for this video. It's an echo-song, so sing the echo parts after me and enjoy the silly song! (Extra activity under the video)
"Down By The Bay".movWhen the song is done: come up with your OWN rhyme:
"Did you ever see a/n _[animal]__ __[-ing word]__ a __[word that rhymes with animal]__
Example:
"Did you ever see a bear wearing underwear?"
April 20-April 24
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Short and Long Sounds
Clip: "Long and Short Sound" song
Up above is a link to a song thats about long and short sounds. Go ahead and listen to it first, and try to clap along to the rhythms that starts about 1:42 seconds into the song!
Last week you were to write down items around your house that make loud and soft sounds. This week make a list of items around the house that make short sounds and long sounds!
Short and Long Animal Noises
When you click the link above. You will listen to all kinds of animals. Some animals make long sounds and some make short sounds, and some animals make both long and short sounds. I want you to listen and figure out which kind of sound the animals make, Short or Long or both!
April 20-April 24
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
If You're a Kid Dance Around!
This listening exercise, is an activity to get you moving! You will be pretending you are animals, and you only do certain ones if its the girls turn or the boys turn. Then you will have a short time to show off your dance moves. Have Fun!
April 20-April 24
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
If You're a Kid Dance Around!
This listening exercise, is an activity to get you moving! You will be pretending you are animals, and you only do certain ones if its the girls turn or the boys turn. Then you will have a short time to show off your dance moves. Have Fun!
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April 13-April 17
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy
Loud and Soft Sounds
Make a list of any items around your house and group those items into loud groups and soft groups. Any Item you put on your list ask yourself if it makes loud sounds or soft sounds.
The link below just shows some examples of loud and soft sounds.
April 13-April 17
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
When you click the link above, you have the option to explore and learn about different music composers and some of their most famous songs!
As you scroll through each slide, you will get to fill in sentences about each composer and their songs! Enjoy!
April 13-April 17
K-2 Activity 3: Singing: Tongue Twister song Challenge!
I challenge you and your family members to listen to these tongue twister songs! choose one of the songs down below
-Learn the words first.
-Then learn how the song goes.
-Then challenge yourself to keep a steady beat by tapping your leg or marching around the room! Are you up for the challenge? Good Luck!
Lyrics: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers .
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper Picked?
Lyrics: Betty Botter bought a bit of butter
But she said this bit of butter's bitter bitter
But a bit of better butter mixed with this butter bitter
just might make my bit of bitter butter better
How much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck woodHow much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
How much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood in a truck
As much wood as a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood
April 6-April 10
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy - Tempo
Read this definition of "tempo" to your student: "The tempo of a song is the speed of its steady beat."
A fast tempo means that you would be clapping quickly along with the steady beat. A slow tempo means that you would clap slowly along with the steady beat.
Listen to the link "A Train" by classical composer Sergei Prokofiev. Have your child pat, clap, walk, or somehow move to show the steady beat. (You can really hear the steady beat in the low notes of the piano around 15 seconds.) Is it a faster tempo, or a slower tempo? (faster)
Listen to the book "Steam Train, Dream Train" being read aloud - then listen to it being rapped! Can you find a rhyming book in your home to read rap-style? (or have an older sibling or parent rap it to you)
April 6-April 10
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
Listen to this performance of "Peter and the Wolf" by the Royal Ballet School/Royal Opera House! The composition is also by Sergei Prokofiev - just like the previous activity! It is narrated, so you can hear the story even though the characters don't talk or sing. Instead, different instruments play different characters!After you watch, look at the picture below. Are there any instruments you already recognize? Use a parent's or sibling's help to identify which instrument matches which character.
April 6-April 10
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
Ms. LeValley sings 3 songs for you - one for kindergarten, one for first grade, and one for second grade! Feel free to listen to all three, though, and move along with the actions she suggests or keep a steady beat somewhere on your body!
"Clap Your Hands" - song 1, starts at :41.
"A Sailor Went To Sea, Sea, Sea" - song 2, starts at 2:20.
"O When The Saints Go Marching In" - song 3, starts at 5:31.
March 30-April 3
K-2 Activity 1: Literacy - Rhythm
Click the link above and practice following the rhythm of the song using ta, ta-de, and rest (shh) to "In The Hall of the Mountain King." Watch/listen to the video once without performing the rhythm, then pat your legs, clap your hands, or use a "Found Sound" instrument (pencils, silverware, etc.) to play along! REMEMBER: Ta-de gets TWO claps.
Click the link above to watch an animated story of "In The Hall of the Mountain King"!
March 30-April 3
K-2 Activity 2: Listening
Click the links above and listen to these two movements from Camille Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals." Which song has music that is fast? Which is slow? Which is LOUD? Which is soft? Move around to show how each piece of music sounds! (Parents too :D ) Get creative!
Click the link above to watch/listen to the other movements of "Carnival of the Animals"!
March 30-April 3
K-2 Activity 3: Singing
Teach your family one (or more) of our singing games in music! (If you have PCM siblings, they probably know these games too!) The song lyrics and instructions are listed here. There is a link to the video beneath the instructions of Ms. LeValley singing the songs so you know the tunes! :D Have fun!
Doggy Doggy: One person is the "dog" and covers his/her eyes. One person hides the "bone" in his/her hands (any small object, like a paper clip or bouncy ball) At the end of the song, the "dog" tries to guess which singer stole the bone!
Doggy, doggy, where's your bone?
Someone stole it from my home! (dog sings alone)
Who stole the bone?
I stole the bone! (person holding "bone" sings alone)
Pass the Black Cat: You can exchange the words "black cat" for whatever you're passing. (hat, spoon, ball, etc.) Pass the object around in a circle. On the word YOU, whoever is holding the object is "out"! Keep going until 1 person is left.
Pass the black cat 'round and 'round, listen to the minor sound!
Ooooh, ooooh, will it stop on YOU?
Grizzly Bear: One person is the "Bear" and one person stands sneakily behind the bear. Once the song is done, the "Bear" chases the person around (it helps if this is played on a defined area, like a rug, for kids to run around).
Grizzly bear, a grizzly bear, is sleeping in a cage.
Please be very quiet, very very quiet.
If you wake him, if you shake him,
He'll get very mad! (person sings alone)
May 11-15
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
"Syncopation" is a crazy word used in music to describe rhythms that emphasize the OFF beat. It's impossible to explain in a written format, so I want you to EXPERIENCE syncopation with one of my favorite syncopated songs: "Shake The Papaya Down." It's got an island groove that will make you want to dance. When you watch the video above, tap along with the highlighted rhythm to experience the off-beat feeling of syncopation.
Once you watch and play along with the rhythm-centric video, listen to this choir (that's a link! Click!) sing the song with some fun instruments and movements!
May 11-15
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
LISTEN to these two versions of "Star-Spangled Banner" and DECIDE which you prefer!
People often debate whether the National Anthem should be sung cleanly, with just the notes on the page, or if embellishment, the adding of extra notes and riffs, should be a standard performance choice.
Audra McDonald is a Tony-award-winning Broadway actor and singer who performs the Anthem cleanly, mostly in her head voice.
Beyonce is a Grammy-award-winning singer and performer who chooses to embellish the song with riffs and extra ornamentation.
I love both of these versions, so it is of course okay to perform the Anthem in both styles.
May 11-15
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
I hope you knew where this week was going....sing the National Anthem for yourself and determine which way YOU like to sing it! Do you want to sing just the notes you hear, or add your own Beyonce or Whitney Houston or Christina Aguilera-type riffs throughout the song? Enjoy!
May 4-8
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
Multitasking Rhythms.
Have you ever watched a drummer that plays on a drum set. Have you noticed that they play with both hands and sometimes both feet and play different rhythms at once. Well if they can do that I bet you can too! All you have to do is read the rhythm patterns on the google doc below. Lets see if we can get you to use both hands and one foot. Here is what you need to do.
1.) Sit in a chair both feet on the floor and both hands on your lap.
2.) Practice reading the right hand rhythms first then practice tapping the rhythm
3.) Practice the left hand the same way by itself.
4.)Practice the foot tap the same way by itself.
3.)Practice the right and left hand together.
4. Now add the foot taps with the right and left hand together. Remember practice slow then gradually speed up when it becomes easy to do. Good Luck.
May 4-8
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
Listening for Dynamics
P-Soft, Mf-Medium Loud, F-Loud
For this activity you will be listening for dynamics in the songs selected below. You will be keeping a tally to keep track when the dynamics change. Whatever the song starts out make sure you put a tally under the dynamic that is being played. To do this, get piece of blank paper, and copy the picture below before starting. REMEMBER only put a tally when the dynamics change.
Image Link: Tally Sheet(COPY THIS)
1st Song: Beethoven 9th Symphony 4th Movement. (Stop the song right at the 5 Minute mark.)
Song 2: Military March by Schubert
May 4-8
3-5 Activity 3: Singing: Tongue Twister song Challenge!
I challenge you and your family members to listen to these tongue twister songs! choose one of the songs down below
-Learn the words first.
-Then learn how the song goes.
-Then challenge yourself to keep a steady beat by tapping your leg or marching around the room! Are you up for the challenge? Good Luck!
Lyrics: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers .
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper Picked?
Lyrics: Betty Botter bought a bit of butter
But she said this bit of butter's bitter bitter
But a bit of better butter mixed with this butter bitter
just might make my bit of bitter butter better
How much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck woodHow much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
How much wood wood a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood in a truck
As much wood as a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood
April 27-May 1
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
Conducting
The Leader of an orchestra, symphony, band or choir is the Conductor. Their job is to start a band or choir, and keep them together on a steady beat while they play or sing and make sure they all stop at the same time. If you remember, when Ms. LeValley and Mr. Stookesberry lead you in a song during class or a concert by waving our arms, we are conducting you. Keep in mind I'm not talking about a train conductor. Thats totally different.
Click on the video below and Mr. Stookesberry will show you how to conduct while you sing Mary had a Little Lamb.
Conducting.movApril 27-May 1
Activity 2: Listening
Glass Harmonica
For this listening activity you will watch and listen to a one of the most interesting instruments. One that is well known but not seen performed very often, it is called the glass harmonica. You might have heard this instrument before but never really knew what it was. The song in the link above is one of the most popular ballet songs, "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Pytor Tchaikovsky The well known melody of this piece was originally played on the glass harmonica. Click on the link above to watch and listen to the song. There you will see how it is played. Can any of you guess who invented this instrument? Hint, he was one of the founding father of the United States who wore round bi-focal glasses, and his face is on the 100 dollar bill.
April 27-May 1
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
One Potato, Two Potato
Ready to learn this song in under a minute? Practice this song with Mr. Stookesberry and after you have learned this short song, do a couple of these challenges.
use this to create your own rhythms or just keep a steady beat.
If you go on walks outside challenge yourself by singing the song and marching to your own beat whether it is fast or slow.
If you play hide and seek with your siblings or when you are with your friends, and you are the one counting, you can sing this song instead of counting numbers.
Sing this song and play hot potato with your family.
Words-
One Potato, two potato, three potato four--,
Five Potato, Six Potato roll them out the door, hot potato
One Potato .movApril 20-April 24
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
I've got some CULTURAL literacy for you this week! I dare you to watch this video and try to tell me you didn't have fun. It's a tutorial of dance steps from Zimbabwe, a country in Africa. The teacher uses the image of a clock to teach different moves, and starts them slowly before taking them double-time! It's fun to learn how music is part of other cultures. Are there dance moves that are different than how you would dance? Are there dance moves that are the same, or similar?
Click the bonus link to see a traditional dance of the Karanga people in Zimbabwe. You can see them wearing traditional clothing and playing instruments historical to the region. They are from KwaNemamwa, a village near the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
April 20-April 24
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
This listening activity has two steps. First, click the link to listen to and look at a "listening map" of Ludwig von Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," the fourth and final movement of his Ninth Symphony. Have you heard this tune before? Notice that the listening map shows which instrument/s plays the theme each time it repeats.
After you listen to the clip, think about the mood of the song. Does it sound sad? Happy? Calm? Excited? Smooth? Angry? Nervous? Think about this question: If this song were used in a movie, what would the movie be about? What would the characters be doing or saying? Draw a picture of whatever scene you imagine by listening to this song.
Bonus Link: Learn About Beethoven!
Learn more about Beethoven: his life, his music, and listen to more clips!
April 20-April 24
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
For our singing activity this week, let's sing a song that ALL of 3rd-5th grade should know - "Polly Wolly Doodle." It's a silly song that I like to introduce in third grade, and then I introduce the folk song in 4th/5th grade! I'll post the lyrics below so you can sing along.
Polly Wolly Video.movPolly Wolly Doodle
Oh I went down South for to see my gal, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day,
My Sal she is a spunky gal, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day.
Refrain: Fare thee well, fare thee well, fare thee well my fairy fay,
For I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Suzianna, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day!
Oh, my Sal she is a maiden fair, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day,
with curly eyes and laughing hair, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day! (Refrain)
Oh, a grasshopper sittin' on a railroad track, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day,
a-picking his teeth with a railroad tack, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day! (Refrain)
Oh, I went to bed but it wasn't no use, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day,
my feet stuck out like a chicken roost, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day! (Refrain)
Behind the barn down on my knees, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day,
I thought I heard a chicken sneeze, singing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day! (Refrain)
April 13-April 17
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy
Follow the link and clap along with the different rhythms shown. (There's a cool backbeat to go along with it!) The moving bar shows the BEAT, not the rhythm, so make sure that quarter notes get 1 clap, half notes get 1 long (2-beat) clap, eighth notes get 2 claps, etc.
If you're getting really good, try the CHALLENGING VERSION in the bonus link - which has customizable rhythms and no steady beat bar...DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN....
April 13-April 17
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
This link provides an amazing opportunity for students to learn more about opera from the famous Metropolitan Opera itself!
On Wednesday-Friday, there will be free performances of a student-friendly opera available to stream online. If you or your student/s would like more information ahead of time, there are really cool resources through the link such as viewing the opera plot as a graphic novel, coloring pages of the characters and costumes to color, and there are even live sessions to connect with the opera more thoroughly.
Click the link to learn more - please note that to attend the Monday-Wednesday live Zoom sessions with Metropolitan opera staff and performers, you need to RSVP through a link on their web page.
If watching an entire opera is too much for you or your students, there is a page to click on from the link provided that shows just audio clips from the opera!
April 13-April 17
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
READ FIRST: "Harmony" is singing or playing more than one pitch at once to create more interesting music than just having everyone sing or play the same melody. (for example, if one person sings "do" and another sings "mi," that is harmony!)
One easy way to create harmony is through ROUNDS. Examples of rounds most 3-5 classes have sung:
-"Frere Jacques" ("Are You Sleeping"), "A Ram Sam Sam," "Bow Wow Wow," "Tombai" (Toom-bye...just 5th chorus)
Listen to another famous round that you probably know, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," as performed on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon." They are making it silly and performing a 3-part round, all pretending to be famous singer Michael McDonald. Try to sing along with one of the performers as they sing in the 3-part round!
Teach your family the song (I bet your parents already know it) and see if you can sing it successfully in 3 or 4 parts!
April 6-April 10
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy-Note Reading
Spend some time reviewing the notes on the Staff line and have fun with the activity. Remember the saying of the line notes going from bottom to top. Every Good Boy Does Fine and the space notes F-A-C-E. For all the TROMBONE players in band and or any piano players, go ahead and challenge yourselves with the bass clef notes.
-3rd Graders- Since you have not learned notes yet in class you are welcomed to do the K-2 Literacy activity.
April 6-April 10
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
Click on the link above. Make sure to make your own copy of this slide document. You will find directions on the first slide. The second slide will have 15 questions, followed by 15 slides where you fill out a small journal, about each song you chose.
Maybe ask your parents to have them answer the 15 questions on the second slide for us to see what answers they came up with. ENJOY!
April 6-April 10
3-5 Activity 3: Singing-School Fight Songs!
Keep the school spirit at home by singing the school fight song, while clapping to a steady beat as you would do at one of the games! Invite your family to join along!
College Fight Song!
Now go on Youtube and find your favorite college and look for their fight song. Learn the lyrics and pitches, then sing and clap the beat with your families!
March 30-April 3
3-5 Activity 1: Literacy - Composition
Use your own imagination and compose your own music using the notes and rests provided for you and listen to your own pieces! Mr. Stookesberry was impressed with his composition!
March 30-April 3
3-5 Activity 2: Listening
See if you can figure out how many different sections there are to this piece. Draw a picture of what this song reminds you of. (If you have not heard this piece before, turn the volume up just a little bit) Then answer this question, Why do you think it's called Surprise Symphony? Enjoy!
I'm sure you have heard this theme before. As you watch the video see if you and any family member can name the instruments you see!
March 30-April 3
3-5 Activity 3: Singing
Solfege!
"DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO"
Practice singing solfege and hand signs with the links above. Here is how you pronounce the words if you don't know!
Do-Doe, Re-Ray, Mi-Me,Fa-Fa, So-Sew, La-La, Ti -Tea
Teach your family members the hand signs and see if they can sing along too!
Play the SO-LA-MI GAME with your family.
-The game is between you and whoever wants to play.
-Sing or say any 3 solfege pattern you want such as (MI-RE-DO)(SO-MI-DO)(LA-TI-RE) and the others have to echo your pattern, until................. you sing SO-LA-MI, then the players are to NOT echo that pattern! If one or more "echo singers" sings, even if only SO, that is a point for you. If no one sings SO-LA-MI after you, that's a point for them
- The first one who gets to 5 points wins the game! The loser(s) have to do wash the dishes at home! HAHA ENJOY the GAME!