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
Showing posts with label Kindergarten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindergarten. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
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.
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!
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 15th, and in the coming weeks
we will be singing and listening to songs that explore and celebrate this.
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!
Sunday, September 13, 2015
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."
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."
Monday, November 19, 2012
Kindergarteners are Gearing up for Christmas!
In case your kindergarteners are itching to practice their concert music at home, here are some lyrics and links:
Silent Night
(http://youtu.be/J6P3fCDQVMI)
Verse 1
Verse 2
Repeat Verse 1
Dressed in a snow white gown
Tap, tap, tappin' at your windowpane
To tell you she's in town
Verse
2
Soon you will hear her say
Come out everyone and play with me
I haven't long to stay
I'll help you make one, one, two, three
If you wanna take a sleigh ride- Wheeeeeeee!
The ride's on me
Verse
3
Look at her tumblin' down
Bringing joy to every girl and boy
Suzy's come to town
Silent Night
(http://youtu.be/J6P3fCDQVMI)
Verse 1
Silent night; Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night; Holy night
Son of God, Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Silent night; Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace
Suzy Snowflake
Verse
1
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Bridge
If you wanna make a snowman
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Friday, October 5, 2012
Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Yodel
One of my favorite songs to do with my students is "An Austrian Went Yodeling." This is an add-on song, otherwise known as a "cumulative" song. Each time we repeat the main part, we add on to make it a little bit longer. In this particular song, we sing about an Austrian who went yodeling on a mountain so high. He runs into various things, such as an avalanche, a person skiing, a milk-maid, a dog... and all these things interrupt his "cry" (his yodeling).
For Kindergarteners, this particular song is a more complicated melody, and it's a challenge to memorize all the add-ons. We also add an action each time, you see. And so singing and moving AND doing it all while keeping the beat we've set requires a lot of focus. With the 2nd graders, they've worked on that same focus, but they also independently realized the endless amount of ways we could be creative about what to add that could interrupt our yodeling Austrian.
Each class has done more than this song in class, of course, but this has been one they really have so much fun with. Kindergarteners are going to begin working a lot with reading different kinds of rhythms and playing them on various percussion instruments. 2nd Graders are going to be playing percussion, hand bells, and do some keyboarding while learning rhythm and then getting into note-reading. Because they are quickly developing their reading skills as well, the 2nd graders have begun using our class-set of hymnals to learn songs we can sing at Mass and for fun. The Kindergarteners do not use the hymnals yet, but they do learn about the elements they will need to recognize in order to use them. I have also been putting lyrics up on the board and talking about their meaning so that we can work on language while learning music.
On a final note, if you are looking for some real entertainment, go ahead and ask your kids to do some yodeling!
For Kindergarteners, this particular song is a more complicated melody, and it's a challenge to memorize all the add-ons. We also add an action each time, you see. And so singing and moving AND doing it all while keeping the beat we've set requires a lot of focus. With the 2nd graders, they've worked on that same focus, but they also independently realized the endless amount of ways we could be creative about what to add that could interrupt our yodeling Austrian.
Each class has done more than this song in class, of course, but this has been one they really have so much fun with. Kindergarteners are going to begin working a lot with reading different kinds of rhythms and playing them on various percussion instruments. 2nd Graders are going to be playing percussion, hand bells, and do some keyboarding while learning rhythm and then getting into note-reading. Because they are quickly developing their reading skills as well, the 2nd graders have begun using our class-set of hymnals to learn songs we can sing at Mass and for fun. The Kindergarteners do not use the hymnals yet, but they do learn about the elements they will need to recognize in order to use them. I have also been putting lyrics up on the board and talking about their meaning so that we can work on language while learning music.
On a final note, if you are looking for some real entertainment, go ahead and ask your kids to do some yodeling!
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