Kindergarten
During this time of hybrid learning, Kindergarten students do not often have any "assignments" given in their music google classroom, but I will sometimes post a fun video or song to sing so feel free to check it once in awhile!
Kindergarten music is so much fun! Here is a brief overview of our classes:
Each music class begins with a series of vocal warm ups. These are designed to prepare our voice for singing, and they are made up of various silly sounds, but they serve an important purpose! The students echo Mrs. Hershman during this introduction activity. Then we move on to our Hello Song where we greet each student in our class in song. What a wonderful way to say 'welcome to music class!' Then we move on to our areas of focus, which vary, depending on the goal at the time. Currently, our kindergarten students are continuing to work on their singing voices and their ability to keep and maintain a steady beat. These goals are met in a variety of ways, singing games, dances, egg shakers, etc.
***For times when we need to work on music from home, please look at some videos I've posted below. You will find a wonderful story of "Tubby the Tuba", which i do every year with Kindergarten students. You will see a video of it being read and the music, and then there is a video of a live orchestra playing it as well.
There is also a video of fun kindergarten songs you can sing at home!
There is also a Pete the cat video, as well as a video to watch of one of "Rhapsody in Blue", a piece by our composer of the month, George Gershwin.
There is also a fun page of things to do at home.
This video features a live orchestra playing the music for "Tubby the Tuba" and we can see a real live tuba soloist!
Have fun playing the animal stomping game! But listen to the music!
Pete the cat video to sing along with!
Our composer of the month for March is George Gershwin. Check out this video of his music, "Rhapsody in Blue".
Fishkill Plains Elementary Learning Plan
During Prolonged School Closure
(adapted from Mamaroneck UFSD)
Music: Kindergarten and First Grade
Directions: Please use the following prompts to discuss music and music activities on your own or with a family member. Don’t forget to use your singing voice and dance while you work! Have fun!
1.Think of a song or game that you have loved singing or playing in your music class at school. Take 20 minutes to teach your family. If it is a game, take time to play the game together. Make sure to explain to them why you chose this particular song or game. What do you like about it? Why did you want to share it with your family?
2. With help from an adult, listen to a piece of music and move to the beat. You can choose to dance as a family, be the leader while someone in your family follows you or dance/move by yourself.
3. Using items from around your house (examples: toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls, rubberbands, string, pots and pans) create a musical instrument. After creating your instrument, play along with one of your favorite songs.
4. Change the lyrics of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to describe the weather today or your favorite food. Perform your new song for someone in your household.
5. Go to the library and take out a book or books that are existing songs and sing along with them. These could be patriotic songs, folk songs or pop songs. Some examples could be Down by the Bay, 5 Little Ducks, If You’re Happy and You Know It, My Country ‘tis of Thee, This Land is Your Land and many more. Many of these books also come with CD accompaniments that you can sing along with.
6. Put on a song that you like. Move to the beat in these ways: clap, march, hop, and stomp. Keep switching around these four motions as the song plays.
7. Think about musicians in your house and Interview them. Does anyone in your house play an instrument? Does anyone else that you know play an instrument? What instruments do they play? How long have they played these instruments? Why did they choose these instruments? Did anyone that you know play an instrument for a while and then stop playing?
8. Go to Mrs. Hershman’s website, and watch the video of “Rhapsody in Blue”, that was written by our composer of the month George Gershwin. Talk about it with your family. Why was the little girl in the video sad? What made her happy in the end?