Week 6: Music in Motion

Kindergarten: Exploring Steady Beat with Circle Games

Kindergarteners explored keeping the steady beat while playing, "Walking  On the Green Grass," and "Here Sits a Mouse." The students explored various ways to move while using a steady beat. Some of these movements included: skipping, jumping, hopping, running, tip-toeing, crawling, rolling and marching. Of course, anything that you could do in the green grass! They are making huge progress keeping the beat!

1st Graders: All About Clocks!

First graders explored different types of clocks, different parts on a clock, and different noises that clocks make. Students got to perform on xylophones, glockenspiels, and triangles while singing "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" and exploring so, la, and mi solfege hand signals. When the mouse ran up and down the clock, the glockenspiel players ran their mallets up and down their instruments. When the clock struck one, students chimed their triangles. Last, but not least, students kept a steady beat, replicating a clock with the xylophones on C and G, all while singing! Students also learned "question and answer" with this song.

For example:

• Teacher: Why did the mouse run up the clock?
• Students: The cat was chasing it there!
• Teacher: Why did the mouse run down the clock?
• Students: The sound gave her a scare!

                              

2nd Graders: Singing in Motion with Orff Instruments

Second grade students learned a dance that involved moving around the room and singing to the steady beat. The children worked with a partner to perform the dance while they sang using so, mi and do. Students took turns playing in an ensemble with the xylophones to accompany the song. This activity took active listen skills, fine motor skills and ultimate teamwork and cooperation, all while using self-control. I was very impressed with the children's abilities to work together as a class.

Have your child teach you the song and dance! If you grew up loving "Miss Mary Mac," then you'll love this nursery rhyme!



                   

3rd Graders: Two- Part singing, dancing and Orff Instruments

This week, 3rd grade students performed "Hickety, Pickety, My Black Hen." For this activity, students learned a circle dance that required them to move quickly in various directions while keeping a steady beat and singing the song. Another group of students sang a vocal ostinato using solfege hand signals, (mi, re, do). I then introduced the class to the word ensemble. Together, they played the xylophones to accompany the singers and dancers. Each group got many turns taking part in each activity. 

4th & 5th Graders: Improvisations Using Rhythm Sticks and Drums

"We've come together to sing. We've come together to dance. We've come together to create, and play and celebrate the day, to spirit and mind enhance."

Students learned the above song that used body percussion and drumming technique. They also explored singing the song in 3-part canon form. Students then got to improvise 8 counts of drum beats using rhythm sticks and hand drums. The students really got creative with their improvisations. I also had the children write to reflect when they can use improvisations in their day to day lives. Some creative examples included:

• Creating new recipes
• Dancing at a school dance
• Singing or rapping songs to make them your own
• Writing a fictional story

What are ways that you use improvisations in your own life?

Week 5: Testing, 1, 2, 3, Testing, 1, 2, 3!

This week, Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students are taking a pretest in Music. For each grade level, there will be a few questions that involve listening to examples. Other questions involve the students reading and bubbling their correct choice on a scan tron. Just like reading, math and science; music involves skills and concepts that the children are required to master by the end of the year. We will test again in January and once again at the end of the year.

Thank you to all students for cooperating with me during this busy week. I know that testing is not fun, but it needs to be done! I cannot wait to watch you grow!

School Theme: Yo Ho, Yo Ho, The Fort's the Place for me!



This year, Children at the Fort are "Setting the Course for the Treasure of Knowledge!" During the summer, I changed the lyrics to "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me," to go along with our school theme. If you have ever ridden "Pirate's of the Caribbean" at Disney, then you know the song I am talking about. Here are the lyrics. Have your child practice articulation with the words while they clap a steady beat. Also, don't forget to sing using your best swashbuckling pirate voice! ARRGGHH!!!!

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Fort's the Place for Me"

We read and we write, and try really hard.

We value our success!

We check all our work with focus and care

'Cause that's what pirates do best!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Fort's the Place for me!

We follow the rules, in class or at play

With true integrity.

We love one another as a sister and brother

'Cause we're a big family!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Fort's the place for me!

We'll read everyday and study our facts

To score high on all tests.

The treasure is learning and if we work hard,

We'll ride above all the rest!

We'll listen to teachers, no rascals are we!

Yes ma'am, no sir, AHOY!

We're here to have fun, now our journey's begun

Coming to school is a joy!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Fort's the place for me!

So here on our ship, we'll stay on our course

Smooth sailing on our boat!

Encourage each other and impress your mother

And keep your classmates a float!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Fort's the place for me!

Week 4: Music Class is "Dynamic!"

First - Fifth Grade

This week, students got the opportunity to listen to and analyze music. The students were listening for changes in tempo, dynamics, and form. Each student was given a colored card that was labeled "A" and "B." While listening to a variety of song, students flipped their cards to show me changes in form. Here's an example of a poem in AB form.

There once was a man from Peru,

Who dreamed he was eating his shoe.

He awoke in the night

With a terrible fright,

And found out that it was quite true.

This limerick follows a pattern. (AABBA) Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme, and lines 3 and 4 rhyme. Poetry is music! After sharing the poem, students practiced flipping their card to show the similarities and differences throughout the poem. We then tried it with music! Click on the link below to listen.

http://listeninglab.stantons.com/title/largo-from-new-world-symphony/456464/

See if you and your child can listen to the sound clip and hear the ABA form. The sound clip is Dvorak: SYMPHONY NO.9 IN E MINOR, NEW WORLD, OP. 95, "Largo."

What other songs have the ABA form?

After students listened to a song, we discussed tempo and dynamic levels.

 

Why do I have to know this, Mrs. Shore??

When a musician picks up a piece of sheet music, the composer will tell you what tempo and dynamic level to use. A good reader will see all of these components when they look at a piece of music. 

You child is a Successful Superstar!

Kindergarten

This week in Kindergarten, we are focusing on echoing the teacher and playing a steady beat. I passed out a variety of drums, bells and rhythm sticks, and the children echoed Mrs. Shore in this cute little song.

"I can tap the beat, I can tap the beat. LOUD beat, soft beat, I can tap the beat."

"I can ring my bells, I can ring my bells. LOUD bells, soft bells, I can ring my bells."

"I can beat my drum, I can beat my drum. LOUD beat, soft beat, I can beat my drum."

"I can clap my hands, I can clap my hands. LOUD clap, soft clap, I can clap my hands."

The children would also have to echo Mrs. Shore's voice. I either sang in a whisper, speaking, singing, or shouting voice. Mrs. Shore's favorite is the singing voice. In respect for America, we also sang patriot songs this week. Marching gives the children great practice finding the steady beat.

Try having your child echo you at home. They will love performing for you :)

Week 3: Accompaniment Accomplishments!

First - Fifth Grade

Time to shake the summer dust off the xylophones!

This week, children got the opportunity to play the xylophones. First, Mrs. Shore talked about proper care and instrument handling. These instruments are precious resources that need to be treated with up most respect. I then taught the children appropriate posture and mallet technique so that they are able to produce a quality tone. 

This week, we learned the word accompaniment. This word comes from the word: accompany, meaning to go with. An accompaniment in music is when you play along with other instruments or voice. Body percussion is even considered an accompaniment.

For this lesson, children played a basis ostinato, or repeated melodic or rhythmic pattern. (Yes, your children are learning vocabulary in a wide variety of languages!) Each child had a turn in groups accompanying the class while they sang songs. Third through Fifth grade students sang "A Ram Sam Sam," and First through Second grade students sang a song from Brazil, "Mama Paquita." The students played a variation of notes C, D, and G. Each grade level increased in complexity. You should hear them play! WOW! 

Do you have a smart phone??

Check out free apps for xylophones. Your child can practice their ostinatos at home! Let them express their creative side and come up with their own accompaniments to different songs. You'll be amazed at what they can do. You may even find yourself playing along in your free time. 

Kindergarten Fun

This week, Kindergarten students are enjoying singing a variety of songs in different voices. We are having fun exploring our whispering voice, speaking voice, shouting voice, and singing voice. The children love when Mrs. Shore plays her guitar! I do a lot of songs that require the children to dance and move. We are learning our left from our right as well as how to follow specific directions. The children do a phenomenal job of echoing Mrs. Shore. We are also learning how to keep a steady beat, how neat!

Kindergarten students are also learning "so" and "mi" hand signals and pitch. Mrs. Shore is practicing the hand signals with the students while they sing the specific pitch. Refer to the hand signals chart below and practice at home! 

Just for laughs...

Week 2: Perfect Harmony from Africa!

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

This week in music, children got the opportunity to learn a song and dance from Ghana, Africa. "Chay Chay Koolay" is a traditional call and response song. The students learned proper singing technique and basic dance moves performed in a circle while Mrs. Shore drummed a steady beat. The children learned the meaning of the African words and each were able to express themselves through song and dance. Sing this song at home with your child. They will adore putting on a show for you!

Chay Chay Koolay

Chay chay koolay

(I have good thoughts in my head)

Chay Chay ko-feen-sah

(I have clothes on my shoulders)

Ko-feen Sahlahn-gah

(I have food in my belly)

Kah-kah shelahn-ga

Koom a den day 

(I will dance for you!)

Third - Fifth Grade

This week, third through fifth grade students were able to learn the difference between unison and harmony singing by performing a round. We started off simple. Mrs. Shore's philosophy with music is: We have to learn how to walk before we learn how to fly! I had the students sing in a unison head voice, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." After a few attempts, their ears got trained to singing the round to create harmony. I had a lot of students wanting to hold their ears so that they could focus on their particular part. I had to break them of this habit because the students needed to learn to blend their voices and listen to each other. (Believe me, round/canon singing is easier said than done!) Once I felt the students had a firm grasp on the concept and skills needed, I taught them the "cool" song from Morocco, "A Ram Sam Sam." For this song, students used a four-beat body percussion to accompany their voices. Their talent rocked my socks off! Let your child teach you the song and practice round singing at home! It's a great way to have family fun on long car rides:)

Perfect harmony makes my heart smile :)

What other songs can you sing in a round?

Week 1: Classroom Rules

Welcome to Portable 7: Mrs. Shore's Music Class

The first week of school, I got the honor of traveling class to class to introduce myself and to go over classroom rules. For students who knew me, they were shocked to discover that I was no longer a 5th grade teacher. They soon found out that I was their new music educator! I explained to the children that you are never to old to chase down a dream, no matter how big or small. For most of our students, they dream of making it big in the NFL, NBA, or perhaps becoming the next American Idol.  For me, my dream, since I was in the 4th grade, was to become a music teacher. After nine years of teaching reading and math, my dreams were able to come true thanks to our new superintendent, Dr. Vitti, and the opportunity from Mr. Pinter, our school principal. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Christina Shore. I studied Music Education at Florida State University with a focus in voice and piano, as well as Elementary Education. I am certified to teach grades K-6 in general education as well as Music K-12. I am also ESOL certified. I am fortunate to be able to use my highly developed skills in literacy, higher-order questioning and classroom management to ramp up the music program here at Fort Caroline Elementary. I cannot wait to use my creative energy in a new direction.

Here is why I teach Music:

Most importantly, I teach music because music is the essence of life. It teaches us all to love more and inspires us to be more. Music helps us get through good days and bad. I cannot imagine life without song. Music is happiness and music is my passion!

How we "Conduct" Ourselves in Music Class

These are the rules we follow in music class. The first week, I had the students play the rhythms on rhythm sticks while chanting the class rule. The students helped me brainstorm examples and non-examples of each class rule. It is crucial that each rule is followed to ensure a classroom that is safe, respectful and nurturing to the developing musician. The classroom rules are broken up into syllables that are then represented symbolically. As a challenge, I had students try to make up their own classroom rule and improvise a rhythm that went along with the syllables. It was amazing to see what the students came up with! They have brilliant minds! As an activity at home, see if you can put your house rules to a rhythm and have your child clap it. 

Here is an example:

Eat all your vegetables!

ta, ti-ti, ti-ti, ta.

Most importantly, have fun! Everything is more fun when it's put to rhythm and song!

Body Percussion!

The last activity I did for classroom visits was a body percussion activity. My activity was meant to prove a point. Music is more than fun and games. It takes just as much focus and concentration to perform a rhythmic activity than it does to sit down and read a book or complete a math problem. After challenging my students in a 9 beat body percussion activity, I gave them time to reflect. All students were extremely challenged for this activity. I told the students that being a musician requires you to think deeply and focus. If you child is not concentrating just as much, if not more, when they complete a math problem or read a book, encourage them to go back and re-think. With practice and determination, anything is possible!

"Sing"cerely,

                ~Mrs. Shore