5th Grade Recorder Help

5th Graders!  Here is a recording of "Winter Wonderland."  It begins with both parts playing together.  After that, just part 1 is recorded.  After that, you can find part 2.  So, you may want to do a little fast forwarded.  Sorry for any inconvenience, though I think you can handle it. :)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygVk12c2RuVVJsOXM/view?usp=sharing

4th Grade Help is Here!

Hey, 4th Graders!  Here are a few rough recordings to help you check things off on your list:

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" the same way we sang it in class:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygbWFQQTJPY0ZZcEU/view?usp=sharing

"Navidad, Navidad:"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUXlPMUVRandNWVU/view?usp=sharing

"Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" recorder parts:
TO BE ADDED

"Hallelujah"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygd3l0aG4wdWpnZGs/view?usp=sharing

You are going to do great!!

Some more help for A Cappella Club :)

Hey, A Cappella Club!

Here's a rough recording of the two main parts for Rudolph.  Please practice the parts you did at our last meeting.  Jacob, go ahead throw in some beat boxing the second time through the song like we had tried.  It will be more and more fun the tighter we get!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygbjBIZU1UX2lIV0E/view?usp=sharing

Kindergarten is Preparing Christmas Songs!

I apologize, because we have done quite a few things lately that I have not posted about.  However, lately we have been getting ready and excited for our upcoming Christmas concert on the 13th of December!  I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving. :)  And if your child would like to show you or practice our songs at home, here are some rough recordings to sing along with:

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygRUNUMDFqMXZfZEU/view?usp=sharing

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygNm8zY1M4aVo4RFE/view?usp=sharing

SILENT NIGHT
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygcW5sYTZpWGN5bGM/view?usp=sharing

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygRzc4VVVkN3FvM0k/view?usp=sharing

Preschool is Preparing for Their Christmas Concert!

The preschoolers have actually been doing quite a bit in music class about which I have failed to post.  I am sorry about that and will be sure to review some of what we did over Halloween soon, in case you need a break from Christmas music.  :)  In the meantime, Christmas has been our focus lately.  Here are some rough recordings of the songs your children will be performing, in case they want to practice at home.  ;)  Have a happy Thanksgiving!

JINGLE BELLS (Ms. Marquez's and Mrs. Lamontagne's classes)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygYWNNTGxmT2hvZ00/view?usp=sharing

LITTLE SNOWFLAKE (ALL sing this... Mrs. Garza's class also leads it in Spanish)

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (Ms. Garza's class sings the verses and ALL sing the chorus)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygaUV3VlJhQzl4SjQ/view?usp=sharing

AWAY IN A MANGER (For Mrs. Garza's class ONLY)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygOTltX0lnUUdMRFU/view?usp=sharing

SILENT NIGHT (Preschool classes will only be singing the endings to each verse at this point and Kindergarten leads the entire song)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygcW5sYTZpWGN5bGM/view?usp=sharing

HALLELUJAH--- PK and K sing the chorus while older children come in to sing the verses.

3rd Grade Concert Preparation

All third graders have a music packet with the lyrics to their Christmas songs and some recorder materials.  Not all will play recorder at the concert, but all will certainly be comfortable to perform later in the year.  Here are some rough recordings of their songs to sing along with:

NAVIDAD, NAVIDAD

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUXlPMUVRandNWVU/view?usp=sharing

BRING A TORCH, JEANETTE ISABELLA

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUjN6dkpMUnJNRUk/view?usp=sharing

HALLELUJAH  (3rd Grade will ONLY SING 4th and 5th VERSES)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygd3l0aG4wdWpnZGs/view?usp=sharing

FELIZ NAVIDAD...

Hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving!  I'm looking forward to making the final concert push soon after.  3rd Grade sounds great!

Thank you,

Ms. Fox

1st Grade Christmas Concert Preparation

Here are some recordings to help 1st graders while they practice.  They are doing great!

"Still, Still, Still" the way we will sing it...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygSHZjTVhBZ2xDZ1E/view?usp=sharing


"Mi Burrito Sabanero"
a very rough recording of how we will be singing, though will sound much better soon :)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygdlhER01scUwydnc/view?usp=sharing

a YouTube version that is fun and is our arrangement but a little fast... 
https://youtu.be/Q5wnRmXw1_4?list=RDp-uiYPCKhEk

and another fun YouTube version, a little slower and lower if needed-- just not our exact arrangement:
https://youtu.be/ogJSyom8pO8     


"Hallelujah"-- just the 4th verse.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygd3l0aG4wdWpnZGs/view?usp=sharing


"Feliz Navidad"

Work on Getting a Good Sound on the Recorder?-- Yes, please!

Hi there, students.  We all know that it can be tough to get a sound we really like out of the recorder.  I was actually just trying to make a recording of my playing and decided I could really use some practice getting a good sound myself.  Here is a video I found that is a great refresher for the things we have learned.  I especially like how she explains the kind of "warm" air we should be using to play.

Go ahead and watch!:

7th Grade Homework...

Hello, 7th Grade!

Here are some assignments that are due over the next few days.  Be sure to pay attention to each due date.

Assignment #1 Due Wednesday for 10 points:
Please sing through "Silent Night/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" 3 times.  You can sing along with the recording below.  If it doesn't fit your voice well, speak (rap :)) the lyrics along with the recording or sing the lyrics in a place in your voice that feels right--- we will soon find a key to sing in that will make you all feel happy.
              You also need to listen a 4th time and write the lyrics down on a lined sheet of paper while listening.  You may need to pause or rewind the recording.  This is one of the best ways to memorize lyrics, I have found.  If you need to check in with your printed lyrics that I gave you for a few of the words, that is okay.  Just try to write them down while listening as best you can.
*TURN THIS IN ON WEDNESDAY MORNING--- Someone should put your class's work in the 7th Grade Music Homework Bin on the wall in the jr. high hallway.

Rough Recording (click on the link):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUUZLWTR4US1jY0k/view?usp=sharing


Assignment #2 Due Thursday for 20 points:
Please use your paper keyboard from Ms. Fox or an actual keyboard or piano to practice playing the accompaniment chord symbols like we did during class.  On the sheet Ms. Fox gives you, mark off a practice box each time you do this and complete the 8 boxes.  You can "play" along with the recording below.  Remember, you play the root of the chord in your left hand, and then at least the root along with the third above it (for a harmonic third) in your right hand.  It should go like this:

1                 2                          3                            1                2                             3
Root      Harmonic 3rd      Harmonic 3rd   |  Root       Harmonic 3rd        Harmonic 3rd
(left)      (right)                  (right)                   (left)       (right)                    (right)

For example, for the "A" chord symbol you would play:

            C#        C#
A         A          A            *For each of our chord symbols in this song, the 3rd above will be a sharp (#).
(left)   (right)   (right)     *I like to use my fingers 1 & 3 to play harmonic 3rds, by the way.

Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygMTNISTk1bjJ0ZTg/view?usp=sharing

8th Grade Homework!

8^th Grade Homework—Sections due different days... 

**Each assignment is worth 10 points.  Late assignments will lose 2 points each day.**

1. Due Monday:  Sing through “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" 3 times- try all 3 of the recordings below to see which one, number 1, 2, or 3, feels best for your voice (4 points).

                                    AND, on a piece of lined paper, write the lyrics to the song down as you listen a 4^th time to one of the recordings (6 points).  You may need to pause and/or rewind now and then, and then you will probably need to check in with your lyrics sheet for a couple words.  This is one of the best ways to memorize and really pay attention to a song’s lyrics, I have found.

*TURN THIS IN ON MONDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.  YOU CAN BEGIN WORK THAT IS DUE WEDNESDAY IF YOU ARE ABLE.

Recordings:

#1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygM3hDa1Z4emdPTlU/view?usp=sharing

#2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygckpZSVhsNHpCaWc/view?usp=sharing

#3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygbTBYQUo0NEZEZFU/view?usp=sharing

2. Due Tuesday: Read and sing through “Hallelujah”—You will be singing verses 1, 2, 4, 5…  though for this assignment, feel free to use verse 3 as well.  Please pick a line or two of the lyrics that you really like.  Write me 1 or 2 sentences telling me which lyrics those are and why you like them so much (4 points).  THEN explain to me which part of the song’s melody you really like in 1 or 2 more sentences (4 points).  Do you love the chorus (“Hallelujah”) because of the way the piano sounds under the singing?  Do you enjoy the way the end of each verse builds and builds before singing the chorus?  What do you like about the song?  ALSO, write down which of the “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” recordings feels best in your voice—1, 2, or 3? (2 points).

*TURN THIS IN ON TUESDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

Recording: to be added

3. Due Wednesday:  Use the paper keyboard Ms. Fox gives you or a real keyboard or piano to practice playing the roots of the chord symbols in “Still, Still, Still.”  Play along with the recording below at least 7 times.  Check off a practice box on the paper Ms. Fox gives you each time you do this.   You can always start this over the weekend and check off boxes when you get the paper (10 points).   

*TURN THIS PAPER IN ON WEDNESDAY IN THE MUSIC HOMEWORK BIN IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:

The suggested hand position for the first page's chords is called “C POSITION” and is written here:

        C  D E F G           C D  E F G

L.H. 5  4 3 2  1     R.H. 1  2  3 4  5       *You may need to reach out of position to play A.

For the first line of second page, you will shift your hand down to the left for each chord symbol--  The chord symbols here go lower by steps.  Then you should shift back up to C Position for the next line (the first ending; and then for the second ending after you've repeated the song).  There are recordings of the melody listed here as well for those ready to try that.  The hand position options for the melody are listed above the recordings.

Recordings:

1) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygS0dxS3ZLb2pKdzQ/view?usp=sharing
2) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygdnUtb1hVSTRicDQ/view?usp=sharing

Melody:  Possible hand position:     B C D E F           G A B C D

                                                   L.H.5 4  3  2 1   R.H. 1  2  3  4 5 (thumbs are next to each other)

3) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygTnU1S0c1NUpwa2M/view?usp=sharing
4) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygdmVDMmJNOUpiSU0/view?usp=sharingody:

CHOIR HELP IS HERE! :)

Oh there are so many tracks for you, dear choir:

Here is Part I:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygUzhBd21ldlNDVk0/view?usp=sharing

Here is Part II:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygeDBqSGRnaGRxYU0/view?usp=sharing

Here are both parts with piano accompaniment:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygLUhFMkVyWWxPWlE/view?usp=sharing

And HERE is a recording INCLUDING Part III (You'll here Part III when it comes in at measure 41):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygOFd6NU1id3ZHRjA/view?usp=sharing

*Don't forget to do your HOMEWORK!  Highlight YOUR part and then turn your black folder in to me by Thursday.  If you are interested in trying Part III, highlight it in a different color.

I am so excited to hear you all sing again next week!
We will now begin each choir practice with reading a very short piece of music to continue to feel comfortable with following different parts.  And then we can do some cool new pieces, too.  But, our Christmas piece is quite important, so for now it takes priority.  The more prepared you are, the more we can do!

Thank you,
Ms. Fox

Help for A Cappella...

Hey, A Cappella Club!

Here is a recording of your harmonies for our latest tune.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygcjJWYmVlV3dZU1E/view?usp=sharing

Have fun!

Here's Some Help for My 5th Graders!

A link to "Bethlehem Skies" for you...

Please use your lyrics, or even listen and write down the words to memorize it really well. :)

Hey, and don't forget to practice recorder.  Let's see what we can really do on those!

Our Choir Members are Learning a Little French

Choir, here are a couple links to help you with Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant.  Remember, we are now only going to use the first 2 verses and the chorus.  Use your sheet from the other day.  You will be so glad we did this-- I promise!

Big Sound from the 4th Grade!

With this large 4th Grade class, we are going to be able to get some great sound when singing and playing instruments.  So far, we have danced, played drums and bells, and we are about to start reviewing and really learning how to play some fun material on the recorders.  That said, this coming week, I will be constantly reminding the 4th graders to locate their recorders at home and to bring them in so we have them on Thursday.

A singing game the class has enjoyed is one I have borrowed from a great middle school choir director that we call,"The Forbidden Pattern."  You may be familiar with solfege--- do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do--- from having watched "The Sound of Music."  In that wonderful musical, Maria teaches the children about singing with "Do, Re, Mi."  "Do, a deer, a female deer... Re, a drop of golden sun..."  Solfege is a way of singing musical scale tones using syllables, and it is useful when teaching pitch and reading vocal music, especially when sight-reading.  This game also encourages ear training and listening, both so magical to witness truly occurring in a large group of students all at once.  I sing different solfege patterns and have the students echo my examples.  Then I name a pattern the students canNOT sing.  As I continue to sing patterns, if the students listen and can keep quiet when I've sung the "forbidden pattern," they get a point.  If not, it's a point for the teacher!  We will continue to battle it out during the quarter and see who can collect the most points.

That is just a little insight into something we have enjoyed together thus far.  I will be sure to post more soon!

3rd Grade is Pumped to Play Recorders

3^rd grade is rockin’ on their recorders!  Or, at least, they are on their way!  I will soon send a note home explaining the plan and care for these instruments.  If they take them home to practice, they need to bring them back for music classes each Wednesday.  To be sure each student has their own recorder with them for the next couple weeks, I will have them store their instruments at school beginning this week on the 30^th. 

To Continue, yes, along with singing and playing bells and other percussion, 3rd graders will learn how to read music while playing the recorder.  Our first public performance will be at the Christmas concert.  The kids are very excited and eager to play!  Some even have older brothers and sisters at home who have kindly helped them get ahead of the game.  Please encourage them to play when they are at home, even if you need to ask them to go in another room and shut the door.  :)  It takes time to be able to play quietly with good tone, but the only way they will learn is by practicing.  Along with learning the value of practice, students will also learn the rules for this particular instrument, how to control their breath, and how to manipulate their finger muscles to cover the correct holes while reading notes and rhythms.  This is all a terrific introduction to playing instruments in general.  I am psyched for them to show you the progress they’ve made at various points this year!

PreK Sings Canciones Infantiles

Last week the pre-kindergarteners and I talked a bit about Hispanic Heritage Month and sang some children’s songs from various countries.  They also learned about the percussion instrument called the guiro.  Each student had a chance to play a small guiro and we watched a video of professional musicians demonstrating on larger guiros.  Many of the kids wanted to dance to the rhythms immediately.  It was a lot of fun!  We also watched a video of the coqui frog that lives in Puerto Rico before we sang and played to the song, “El Coqui.”  I encourage you to look up the little frog to hear it’s high-pitched “song.” 

Here are some of our Spanish songs, including “Oh Mister Sun (O Senor Sol),” which is not really a song for Hispanic Heritage Month but one that the kids could review in Spanish before moving on to new material:

“La Lechuza” (de Argentina)

(Spanish)

La lechuza,

la lechuza,

hace shhhhhh*

hace shhhhhh.

Hágamos silencio,

como la lechuza,

que hace shhhhhhh,

que hace shhhhhhh.

“The Barn Owl”

(English)

The barn owl,

The barn owl,

Goes shhhhhhh*

Goes shhhhhhh

Let's be in silence

As the barn owl,

Who goes shhhhhh,

Who goes shhhhhh.

“A La Rueda, Rueda” (de Venezuela)

Canción de corro

(Spanish)

A la rueda, rueda

de pan y canela

dame un besito

y vete a la escuela

si no quieres ir

Acuéstate a dormir.

“Go Around the Ring”

Circle Game

(English)

Go around the ring

Of bread and cinnamon

Give me a little kiss

And let's go to school

If you don't want to go

Lay down to sleep.

El coquí

(Spanish)

  

El coquí, el coquí a mi me encanta. 


Esta lindo el cantar del coquí.


Por las noches salir acostarme. 


Me adormece cantando así.


Chorus: Coquí, coquí, coquí, qui qui qui.


Coquí, coquí, coquí, qui qui qui

The Coquí

(English)

Little coquí frog, how I love you. 


How I love your beautiful song.


In the night as I am sleeping, 


You sing to me all night long.


Chorus: Coquí, coquí. coquí, qui, qui, qui


Coquí, coquí, coquí, qui qui qui

  

“Los Pollitos Dicen” (de Ecuador)

Los pollitos dicen pío, pío, pío

cuando tienen hambre

cuando tienen frío.

La gallina busca el maíz y el trigo

les da la comida y les presta abrigo.

Bajo sus dos alas, acurrucaditos

¡duermen los pollitos

hasta el otro día!

“The Little Chickens”

(English)

The little chicks say pio pio pio

When they are hungry

And when they are cold.

The mother hen looks for corn and wheat.

She gives them food and grants them shelter.

Under mama's wings, huddling up,

Sleep the little chicks

Until the next day!

“O Senor Sol”

O Senor Sol, Sol

Senor Sol

Dame tus rayos de sol

O senor Sol, Sol

Senor Sol

Detras de ese arbol

Estos ninos te piden ya

Sal afuera para jugar

O Senor Sol, Sol

Senor Sol

Dame tus rayos de sol.

1st and 2nd Grades Start Their Musical Year!

1st and 2nd graders have been learning how to play various rhythm patterns on the drums and bells.  We have hand drums that each student can hold and either play with the other hand or with a mallet.  They have been learning how to read quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests.  This coming week we will talk about bar lines and measures which are used to separate music into a specific number of beats.  I mainly just want them to recognize these symbols for the moment, and then eventually their function will make sense later in the year.

Last week, we received resonator bell kits!  Each bell is like a piece of a xylophone.  Now we have these and hand bells, and it has been great for the students to experience the music alphabet (ABCDEFG and repeat) in these two different forms.  Some kids like to ring bells, some like to hit them with mallets. :)

Of course, we do plenty of singing.  Singing remains an ever-important activity!-- It works so many parts of the brain and is such a valuable way to express emotions.  I will be sure to write some special post throughout the year about the many ways singing is important.

1st and 2nd grade will be learning about Solfege, a way of singing scale tones with syllables that is probably most recognizable from "The Sound of Music," if you recall the song that begins "Do a deer, a female deer..."  Actually, we use this throughout all grades.  It's something that will be more and more useful as students progress through their music education.

Students will also learn how to use the hymnals (book of church hymns [songs]) and missalettes (books with songs and readings in the back of pews) that they see in their weekly masses.  As their reading and math skills progress, these materials make more sense.  Students really enjoy being able to use the hymnals and missalettes when they are able.

So far we have sung songs that include:
"This Little Light of Mine"
"Peace is Flowing Like a River"
"Hallelujah" (getting ready for Christmas... I promise not to make them sing about snow yet!)
"Alabare" (a Spanish hymn)
a special "Hello Song" where we can work on learning dynamics (louds and softs)
"We are Marching"
"Amazing Grace"

We've really been focused on our bells and drums for the past couple weeks and so have mainly sung hymns thus far since we were learning how to use the church materials.  However, we will be exploring many different songs in many different styles throughout the year.  Coming up, we will be learning more songs in Spanish from various Hispanic countries in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15th.  We will talk about Latin instruments and rhythms and certain musicians with Hispanic heritage.

Here is a picture of Ms. Claudio's 2nd grade class enjoying and learning rhythms on the drums:

I am sorry these aren't bigger and clearer.  I'm working on it!

Kindergarten Music Introduction

Music is a blast with Kindergarteners!  This is always true for me.  My plan for the kindergarteners' musical year is to expose them to many styles of music while helping them explore their own voices and to develop their rhythmic skills and recognition of patterns through singing and plying instruments.  We will play bells, drums, and other percussion instruments.  And I will play them recordings of songs, as well as demonstrate the piano and some guitar and ukulele.  I am just a beginner in my own work on the last two, but I plan to integrate these to mix things up for the kids.  I also played the violin and saxophone many years ago, so I will be sure to bring those out later in the year.

Kindergarteners are able to learn and retain some more of the musical language and notation, and so we will also cover basic music notes and rests and how to read those while playing drums.  We will cover the musical alphabet (ABCDEFG;ABCDEFG...) while playing bells and singing.  And, solfege, "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do" is something I will also introduce.

We have sung a handful of songs so far, including some to recall summer picnics...
"The Ants Go Marching"
"Down By the Bay"
"The Peanut Butter and Jelly Song"
"Oh Mister Sun" in English and in Spanish
Our "Hello Song"--- this is an upbeat song I play on the piano, and the kids love to hear their name and sing along each week.  We will change this quarterly.
"Peace is Flowing Like a River"
"This Little Light of Mine"
"Two Little Blackbirds" rhyme

Because they are so excited about playing instruments, we have done many activities with those so far that have not necessarily included specific songs.

Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15^th, and in the coming weeks we will be singing and listening to songs that explore and celebrate this. 

ALSO, I am already integrating some of the things they will be part of during our Christmas Concert this year.  I know talking about Christmas brings thoughts of winter and that can be very depressing. :)  And so I promise not to have them singing about snow too soon.  Because we have limited time together, I just want to make sure they will be very comfortable and proud at the concert.  So far, you may hear them singing, "Hallelujah" now and then.

I look forward to updating you again soon.  And I hope your kids bring some music home and teach you some of the things we've done!

Pre-Kindergarten Music Introduction

Pre-K is getting used to our music routines.  Some of them are already experts from last year and are proud to share their knowledge.  All seem ready and excited for music at each class, which is a great gift to me! 

We've played drums, danced with shakers, and have been singing songs related to being out on a picnic as well as others that work well with our instrument activities.  Each Friday, I will aim to post a list of any new songs we've covered so that families can have an idea of what your pre-kindergarteners may be singing around the house.  In general, students will be exposed to a great variety of musical styles, sounds, and rhythms all year long.  By encouraging the children to use their voices in attempts to match different tones and pitches, they really start to distinguish their singing voices from their speaking voices. To nurture this and development of rhythm and recognition of patterns, we do plenty of “finger rhymes” (using gestures to act out lyrics), play instruments, and use scarves and even a parachute to enhance the movement experience.

Here are some things we’ve done so far:

Rhymes

"Two Little Blackbirds"  (see details at end of post)

"A Peanut Sat on a Railroad Track"  (see details at end of post)

Songs

"Hello Song" (We use this every week and sing each child's name; it will change each quarter)

"O Mister Sun" (English and Spanish)

"Peanut Butter and Jelly Song" (see details at end of post)

"The Ants Go Marching" (with drums)

"Down by the Bay"

"A Ram Sam Sam" (we increase tempo [speed] with each time through)

"Love Somebody" (with drums and bells)

Instrument Rhythm & Tone Activities

Drums (repeating patterns I play; playing at cues during songs)

Bells—resonator bells (like a piece of a xylophone)

Rhythm Sticks

Egg Shakers

Hispanic Heritage Month began September 15^th, and in the coming weeks we will be singing and listening to songs that explore and celebrate this. 

***Because of our limited time together, I will be starting to teach them parts of the things they will perform at our Christmas Concert.  I want them to feel comfortable and excited to share when we get to that time.  I will try not to teach them anything about snow for a while longer, I promise!

Details…

“Two Little Blackbirds”

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill (hold up 2 pointer fingers as the birds)

One named Jack and one named Jill (move 1 finger for each bird)

Fly away Jack; fly away Jill (“fly” fingers behind back one at a time)

Come back Jack, come back Jill (bring fingers back out front one at a time)

*ADAPT FINGER MOTIONS AND VOICES FOR EACH NEW VERSE

Two little blackbirds flying in the sky

One named Low and one named High (use a high pitched voice for High and low for Low, as well as making one finger go high and one go low)

Fly away Low; fly away High

Come back Low, come back High

*Additional verses (using opposites each time)

Sitting on a lily- Serious and Silly

Sitting on a pole- Fast and Slow

Sitting on the ice- Mean and Nice

Floating on a cloud- Quiet and Loud

“A Peanut Sat on a Railroad Track”

A Peanut Sat on a railroad track

His heart was all a-flutter

Around the bend came the Number Ten

Toot! Toot! SQUISH!

Peanut butter!

*We act out all of these things and then make the peanut tiny to do again, then giant, then super fast, that very slow… and we use different voices for each.

“The Peanut Butter and Jelly Song”

First you take the peanuts and you crunch ‘em, you crunch ‘em (REPEAT)

Peanut, peanut butter (hands dance high in the air to one side_

And jelly (hands dance low to the other side)

Peanut, peanut butter

And jelly

Then you take the grapes and you squish ‘em, you squish ‘em (REPEAT)

Peanut, peanut butter…

Then you take the bread and you spread it, you spread it (REPEAT)

Peanut, peanut butter…

Then you take the sandwich and you eat it, you eat it (REPEAT)

Peanut, peanut butter…

***** Then go through each verse one time before signing “Peanut, peanut butter…”

It's a New Year!

Hello!
We are a few weeks into our new school year, and it is going great!  Every Friday I plan to update this blog.  I will most likely write more than one post in that same day.  I will label them each with the appropriate grade level or levels so that you are able to click on a label to the right and read the information most relevant to you.  For example, I would usually label this post "All School Music Information."  This time I will attach all grade level and choir labels to it in order to start things flowing.

Notable events coming up:
                                             Our 1st FAMILY MASS-- Sunday, September 20th, 11:30
                                                                                       St. Sylvester Church
                                           *Every 3rd Sunday of the month, we encourage St. Sylvester           families to attend this mass, and I direct our school choir members down front.  It's a great opportunity to represent our school community!


Beginning Friday, September 18th, I will write posts about the music classes our PK-8th graders are experiencing.  In the meantime, know that I am at the school for full days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I am also there Mondays after 2:00pm.  If you leave me a voice mail or send an email, I will aim to respond at the end of the day, sometimes after I am done with after school activities.  The school phone number is 773-772-5222 and my extension 305.  My work email is efoxmusic@gmail.com.  Feel free to come down to the music room to visit!

Looking forward to a fantastic year!
-Ms. Fox

Additional Information...
CHOIRS: 
Older... 
5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders auditioned to be a part of our older choir.  They sang a short bit of The Star Spangled Banner and a brief section of a song of their choice.  Then they needed to show great effort and behavior in a mass performance the next morning.  We are currently 37 strong!  Each choir member has signed a choir contract and should be bringing a detailed letter home for families to read and sign, sending back the bottom portion.

Younger...
The 4th and 3rd graders showed me their best behavior and effort in a first meeting of those very interested in joining the younger choir.  We will add interested 2nd graders as of October 7th.  Because our school continues to grow and we have many students excited about singing, I have decided to split the younger choir into two groups that will alternate weeks.  This way all younger choir members can be part of the entire group all year long, but by having only 24-28 kids each week instead of 48-56, we will be better able to maintain a fun and comfortable environment in order to focus and learn how to make a choir work.  All choir members will end up signing a choir contract to show they understand expectations, and I will send a letter home to families to read and sign.  This should happen within the first week of your student's first official choir practice.  We meet on Wednesday afternoons.  The groups are "Blue" and "Orange."

5th Grade's Beatles Mash!

Hey, 5th Grade!  Please check out the link below for a recording of your Beatles songs.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygNk03dEZxQlNDY00/view?usp=sharing

You will rock!
-Ms. Fox

Stevie Mash for 6th and 7th!

Here is a link to the audio for your medley of Stevie Wonder songs.  Please check it out!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygSkM2Y2E3Z0FEVjg/view?usp=sharing

Have fun!
-Ms. Fox

5th Grade Uptown Funk Recorder Help

You want Uptown Funk recorder made easier?  Here you go.  The top link below is a recording of me saying the letters of the recorder part so that it is easier for you to understand your music.  The second link is a recording of me going through each section of the song... BECAUSE, REALLY, if each of you learns a section or 2, you can play those AND play some drums, and the whole thing will come together nicely.  It could be a lot of fun!  Check these out:

Uptown Funk Recorder (letters said the same way you would play them):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygZE1nNVpmVTZVTGc/view?usp=sharing

Recording going through each section to make things easier:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygalphYTNBeDJnTFk/view?usp=sharing

Choir Blackbird Preparation Help is Here!

CHOIR!  It's... BLACKBIRD!
Please practice your part using the links below.  It is a great idea to practice your part a few times and then to try and sing along using the "BOTH PARTS TOGETHER" recording.  It will also help to be using your music.  You will have this in no time.  I guarantee it!

Soprano 1 PART:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygVDFKX052eTNkdDQ/view?usp=sharing

Soprano 2 PART:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygTS00R1h5TmN2clU/view?usp=sharing

BOTH PARTS TOGETHER:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygSlBObXlxWWFLVnc/view?usp=sharing