Wednesday, September 21, 2011
4th graders used iPads in music today
The fourth graders used iPads in class today. We had a blast! We used FlashNote Derby to practice note names. We figured out how to play Hot Cross Buns using Monster Chorus and we spent the last few minutes playing around with Finger Stomp. Here are a few pictures.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Recorder Karate testing from home
Students: You may need your parents' help the first time you do this.
There are students who are interested in taking Recorder Karate tests at home. Here are directions for recording and sending me your Recorder Karate songs. If you have a Mac computer, you have a microphone built into the computer that will work. If you are using Windows, you probably need to connect a microphone to your computer. They can be purchased fairly inexpensively at an electronics store. Be sure your microphone is connected to the computer before you start. Additionally, I have a few microphones that can be checked out from the music room.
1. Get your recorder and Recorder Karate music ready. You can print copies of the Recorder Karate music from the Bert Raney Music website.
2. Go to Vocaroo.com.
There are students who are interested in taking Recorder Karate tests at home. Here are directions for recording and sending me your Recorder Karate songs. If you have a Mac computer, you have a microphone built into the computer that will work. If you are using Windows, you probably need to connect a microphone to your computer. They can be purchased fairly inexpensively at an electronics store. Be sure your microphone is connected to the computer before you start. Additionally, I have a few microphones that can be checked out from the music room.
1. Get your recorder and Recorder Karate music ready. You can print copies of the Recorder Karate music from the Bert Raney Music website.
2. Go to Vocaroo.com.
3. Click "Click to Record."
4. Click "Allow" when you get this message:
4. Say your name, your classroom teacher's name, and the title of your song.
5. Play your song.
6. Click "Click to Stop."
7. Click "Listen" and see if you are happy with your recording. If you aren't, click "Record Again."
8. When you are happy with your recording, click "Send to a Friend" at the bottom.
9. Enter your email address (or your parents' email address) where it says "Your email." Put my email address (bjahn@ymesting.net) where it says "Friend's email(s)." You can also put your own email address next to mine if you want to keep a copy for yourself.
8. Click "Send."
I will listen to your song and either email you back or talk with you in class to let you know if you earned your belt or what you need to practice. Please wait to do more testing until you have heard from me and do not send me more than one song a day.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Highlights of Week 2
I struggled through the week with no voice, but the kids were great and we still got a lot accomplished.
K-2 students attended a Lyceum with local musician, Ross Sutter. Mr. Sutter performed several Scandinavian songs and played a variety of instruments like the accordion, dulcimer, and guitar. The kids sang and clapped along and enjoyed the show. I took a couple of pictures and they are ALL blurry. So sad. Here's one:
In music class, the K/1 students learned some farm songs and used rhythm sticks and tambourines for the first time this year. They also learned a dance called Old Brass Wagon.
2nd grade students used the Orff instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones) for the first time this year. They also did Old Brass Wagon and learned a fun version of I've Been Workin' on the Railroad.
3rd graders used the Orff instruments. They've also been having fun with kazoos with a song called I Like Singin'. We started a new song called The Cat Came Back.
4th grade is gearing up to start recorders. We reviewed the lines and spaces of the treble clef and played Staff Wars. Staff Wars is a free game you can install on your own computer. Kids, please talk to your parents before downloading anything from the internet.
5th grade started Recorder Karate. Students will be earning "belts" (beads) for each song they learn to play correctly. We've been using a program called Smart Music in class to practice some recorder pieces and to record and assess. Students with older brothers or sisters in band may already have access to the program at home. There is a $36 subscription fee, so it is likely that most students won't have access to the program. I will be discussing other practice and recording options in class. If you are interested in having Smart Music at home, please contact me and I can get you more information.
K-2 students attended a Lyceum with local musician, Ross Sutter. Mr. Sutter performed several Scandinavian songs and played a variety of instruments like the accordion, dulcimer, and guitar. The kids sang and clapped along and enjoyed the show. I took a couple of pictures and they are ALL blurry. So sad. Here's one:
In music class, the K/1 students learned some farm songs and used rhythm sticks and tambourines for the first time this year. They also learned a dance called Old Brass Wagon.
2nd grade students used the Orff instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones) for the first time this year. They also did Old Brass Wagon and learned a fun version of I've Been Workin' on the Railroad.
3rd graders used the Orff instruments. They've also been having fun with kazoos with a song called I Like Singin'. We started a new song called The Cat Came Back.
4th grade is gearing up to start recorders. We reviewed the lines and spaces of the treble clef and played Staff Wars. Staff Wars is a free game you can install on your own computer. Kids, please talk to your parents before downloading anything from the internet.
 |
Friday, September 9, 2011
The first week of school
It's the end of the first week of school and I think things went really well. I'm excited about the year and I hope my students are too. Here's are just a few of the highlights of the activities in the music room from this week.
All the classes discussed our classroom rules. We remember them by remembering the letters CPR.
Keep the music fun alive with CPR!
Cooperate
Participate
Respect
The students in grades 2-5 learned a chant we adapted for YME that is based on this clip from the movie Remember the Titans. Thanks to my music teacher friend, Kristin from Nebraska, for sharing this clip with me.
K-2 students learned the Danish Dance of Greeting.
Grades 2-3 learned the song Ready to Learn.
Grades 4-5 learned the song Welcome Back.
Both Ready to Learn and Welcome Back are songs from a magazine to which I subscribe called Music K-8. Plank Road Publishing, which publishes the magazine, hosts a site called K8 Kid Tunes. Many of the songs we sing in class can be found on this site and downloaded legally for 99 cents each. You can set up an account for your child if you are interested.
All the classes discussed our classroom rules. We remember them by remembering the letters CPR.
Keep the music fun alive with CPR!
Cooperate
Participate
Respect
The students in grades 2-5 learned a chant we adapted for YME that is based on this clip from the movie Remember the Titans. Thanks to my music teacher friend, Kristin from Nebraska, for sharing this clip with me.
K-2 students learned the Danish Dance of Greeting.
Grades 2-3 learned the song Ready to Learn.
Grades 4-5 learned the song Welcome Back.
Both Ready to Learn and Welcome Back are songs from a magazine to which I subscribe called Music K-8. Plank Road Publishing, which publishes the magazine, hosts a site called K8 Kid Tunes. Many of the songs we sing in class can be found on this site and downloaded legally for 99 cents each. You can set up an account for your child if you are interested.
Pictures of the Classroom
I finally got around to taking a few pictures of the classroom now that everything is moved back in. I still have a few things to "find homes" for, but things are pretty much in their place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)