I Can Write Music!

I am so proud of Room 11, 12, 17 & 18.  Today they learned a children's rhyme called "Pease Porridge."  We reviewed quarter (ta) and eighth (ti-ti) notes as well as the quarter rest (sh).  We did one measure together and then they had to complete the rest of the song independently.  For some students, this was their first experiences writing music and they did REALLY well!  After this, they had to practice playing it on the hand drum.

Hats off to this Grade 1 student for only learning about this a couple of classes ago.  She did this all by herself!

Next class, we are going to write our own melodies on the pitched instruments to create a little tune.  I wonder what this will sound like?

Rhythm Test

Preparing for the playing test.

Don't forget to count in the beat, which sets the tempo (or speed).  We say 1, 2, ready go

Grade 4/5 students will be having a rhythm test next week on Wednesday.  We did a practice test this week and many found it challenging to listen to an 8-beat rhythm and write it out.  Yet, many students are able to do it!

The test will include:
1. separating rhythms into measures using bar lines
2. putting the rhythms you hear in the order you hear them
3. writing the rhythm you hear (8-beats long)
4. creating your own 8-beat rhythm using quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes
5. playing 4 measures of a rhythm pattern on the hand drum
6. identify note names, rests and their values (whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth)

Make sure you practice them all because Ms. Rempel will choose which 2 you'll play for your test.

Super Singers!

These students did an awesome job today in leading the school in the Kind-Hearted Hand song.  If you missed it, hopefully you'll get a chance to see them lead in another assembly through out the year.

Monday Assembly

Come and join us bright and early Monday morning at 9:00 am for our monthly assembly.  Classes will be sharing about things that are important to them and our school will sing our theme song, "Kind Hearted Hand," featuring several soloists.

Wakati Wa Amani

The Grade 4/5 choir is preparing a song for the Remembrance Day assembly on Nov. 7.  We are learning to read music, sing in 2 part harmony and a new language, Swahili.  Here is the practice track.

Pronunciation Guide/Translation

Wakati wa amani (wah-kah-tee wah ah-mah-nee) = a time of peace

Amani iwe kwenu (ah-mah-nee ee-weh kweh-noo) = peace be with you

Kikora (kee-koh-rah) = joy

Mwanzo (em-wahn-zoh) = start over

Rafiki angu (rah-fee-kee ahn-goo) = my friend

Imani (ee-mah-nee) = faith

Kiburi (kee-boo-ree) = pride

Uwezo (oo-weh-zoh) = strength

Amini (ah-mee-nee) = believe

I Have But One Dream...

The Grade 2/3 choir is preparing for their first performance at our Remembrance Day assembly on Nov. 7.  Our song is called "One Dream" by Dave and Jean Perry.  We are holding auditions for 5 students from each room to sing a solo at the beginning of the song.  These students will need to prepare on their own and the 2 chosen students will have additional practices.

Audition criteria include:
- singing on pitch
- knowing the words
- singing clearly (pronunciation of the words)
- good volume
- having confidence

Beat, Beat, Feel the Beat

The beat keepers!

Several music classes have been moving, saying and playing the beat in a variety of songs and games.  We had lots of fun playing follow the teacher as we listened to the famous song "The Syncopated Clock" by Lerory Anderson.  Can you hear the clock's tic-toc?


We have also been learning about TEMPO - the speed of the beat.  It's how fast or slow the music is played.   Here's some of the words we have learned and practiced.   

Check out the tempo video with Mr. Greg!

 

Note and Rhythms

The Grade 4/5 classes have been reading, writing and performing various rhythms showing whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes and rests.

Practicing rhythms on our hand drums.

An excellent example of a student's work!

Listening tests.  Can you clap these rhythms?

Kindness Matters

Our classes have been rehearsing the song: Kind Hearted Hand by Peter Seltser.  I had over 30 kids audition for a solo part in the song and 14 got chosen.  These students will lead the school during assemblies.  I have posted 2 videos of the song with lyrics on Youtube.  One has the singers and one is the instrumental track.

Check out this website for more information on The Great Kindness Challenge.  And check out Kids For Peace Global who have graciously given us permission to use their recording of the song.

For your own recording of the song, you can buy it on Itunes.

Instrument Sort

The Grade 1 classes have been accompanying songs with the non-pitched instruments, creating simple rhythmic textures and performing a steady beat.  We also identified, described and classified non-pitched percussion sounds into 3 groups - metals, woods and skins/membranes.  Students showed excellent listening and control as we practiced taking turns and waiting to play at the right times in the music.  This takes concentration.

Can you sort these instruments?

Showing playing and waiting positions.