Trimester 2, 2017 Summary

Summary of Trimester 2, 2017

Focus on Pitch/Melody

For all grade levels, our learning targets for this trimester have been centered on reading, composing and performing MELODIES on the staff.  Much time has been spent diving into this complex topic.  Our favorite learning tool for this unit has been our beautiful ukuleles (or as we call them sometimes, our "uke-a-babies!").  These delightful instruments have been incorporated into lessons for every grade level K-5.  K-2nd grade use them to read the "open" pitches (which require no pushing) G, C, E, A on the staff.  To remember these string names we sing "Great Cats Eat Ants."

Grades 3-5 stretch further by beginning to learn how to play closed pitches (pushing): On C string -D [2nd fret), and on the E string- F [1st fret] and G [3rd fret].

Movement games, dance and singing have been integrated into the lessons to prep the students for their instrumental experience.  Alongside of labeling pitches with alphabet letters, we also incorporate the "solfege system" (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do) which uses hand signs for each pitch.  Our intense study of pitch/melody has been built upon our previous unit of study, rhythm.  

All students have done an amazing job learning these pitches and all of the concepts that accompany this unit: playing melodies alone and with a group, the concept of "on a line" and on a space", reading structure left to right, note values and rhythm structure.  At this point, our melody assessments have primarily been performance based.  Assessments to reinforce the study of rhythm have occurred in a array of forms: An online site called Rhythm Trainer, Google slide compositions, and performance-based assessments (alone and group).  Needless to say, we've been busy!  

Musical Performances!

Our music performances at A.G.S. continue to be exciting authentic learning experiences!  My 1st-2nd grade and 4/5th Chorus absolutely shined at their winter concert "Once Upon A Tune!"  

All 3rd-5th graders continue to dig into their songs for our *80s musical that will occur in May.  The songs used in these productions naturally become the center for rich classroom discussions about song form, dynamics, genre, textural features and meaning.  

*More information about the spring musical will be coming your way soon.

  

Looking ahead...

As we enter Trimester 3, we will begin using more manipulatives (staff paper, chips, staff mats, etc) to dig deeper into this study of melody and pitch.  Our older students (grades 2-5) will use their Chromebooks to compose digitally on the musical staff.  Another fun application of pitch reading will be with the fun site SFSKids.  On this site, student's Chromebooks are transformed into instruments by using the numbers on their keyboards! In addition, we will begin using our wonderful "keyed" instruments- glockenspiels, xylophones, and metallophones- to reinforce our learning of pitches and melodic construction.  Along with this, students will learn proper mallet technique and compare the structure of these pitched percussion instruments to that of pianos and keyboards.

One more exciting note...

3-5th graders have the opportunity to check out a ukulele and bring it home!  With our reinstated "Ukulele Check-Out System" they may take home a ukulele and method book for 3 days!  Already 45 students have taken advantage of this special privilege. Permission forms are located outside my classroom door.

   

My Teaching Philosophy and Practices

by Mary Jensen

Maintaining an environment for student success

First and foremost, my intention is for students to feel safe, loved, appreciated and valued in my classroom. All other aspects of my teaching branch from this core value. This, above all else, is crucial so they can feel safe to learn, grow and explore the wonders and magic of music. It is my responsibility to provide this environment that will help their minds thrive! I want all of my students to remember my classroom as being a fun, positive and welcoming place. A wonderful experience in music as a young child will make them more likely to pursue music-making and have an appreciation for this precious form of art in the future. A negative experience can do the opposite. By maintaining a connection that is authentically affectionate, kind and supportive I believe that they can hold onto their happy memories for a lifetime!

Brain-building, Music-making and Successfulness

I desire to constantly stretch my students’ thinking. Our classroom activities, concerts and lesson objectives are meant to “exercise their brains!” Reading music, moving to music, playing music, creating and composing music, listening to music...these all activate different areas of their brain! Every teaching moment is an opportunity to help their minds grow and change. What an unbelievable, amazing and humbling responsibility we educators have!

What are the details of their learning and products of their understanding? While under my care, my students learn how to read, play, and compose complicated rhythms; construct melodies that they sing and play; compare and contrast music structures; and investigate social and the historical background of music. We use many instruments in class! Our ukuleles and percussion instruments are a couple of their favorites! We dance with scarves to explore musical expression (dynamics and tempo). We dance, march, clap and hop to feel steady beat and rhythmic changes. We sing, perform, laugh and play.

How do I know if THEY know what they need to know?

● Performance Assessments - Often, my students are asked to show their learning in a performance assessment for either just me or in front of a group or the class. After they compose a melody, song or rhythm they are asked to share what they have created. Ideas can lead to other ideas, right?! So many kids benefit from seeing what others have made. This is a wonderful and natural way to spark their own thinking!

● Utilizing Technology - Teachers in our district often integrate technology for formative and summative assessments. We are fortunate at A.G.S. to be a 1:1 school. All of our 1st graders use Samsung Tablets and 2nd-5th graders use Chromebooks. They often bring their Chromebooks and Samsung tablets to my classroom. They access assignments on Google Classroom and use them to navigate my blog/website which includes links to educational music sites. My colleagues and I enjoy finding new apps, sites and uses for these devices in our music classrooms to support and assess their learning. In January, my elementary music team and I presented to a group of over 200 music educators of Illinois about how to use a variety of Google Suite products to enhance teaching, assessing and support peer collaboration. My personal favorite G Suite product to use with my students? Google Slides (sent via Google Classroom, so they each get their own copy of the assignment)! They must click on rhythms and pitches, and move the icons into particular spots on the slide. We even use Google Forms for pre and post assessments, giving us “real-time” results on knowledge, pinpoint common misconceptions and identify their strengths and areas needed for growth.

● Assessments and Learning Through Games and Play - Most of all, though, I love to assess through games and play!  We have enough puppets, dolls, costumes, and props to fill toy shop! Need a foam apple? We’ve got 10. Want a plate of delicious plastic toy food? We have a tub full of ‘em. How about some ladybug ears? Princess tiara? Viking helmet? Giant spoon? No problem, We’ve got you covered! Any song can be made more exciting with a silly or fun visual. Any difficult concept to learn can turn into a super-fun-challenge with the right tricks.

In these past (almost) 17 years, I’ve discovered a few important things about children. When we can fill our days with engaging lessons using games, instruments, technology, smiles, laughter and joy not only will our learning process be fun… we can have a blast SHOWING our learning!

Information about "The Road" Song Contest

Today launches a brand new music contest only for the Tri-City area of Batavia/Geneva/St. Charles.  The contest's creator, Scott Corbin of The Jank Guitar Store, has made a really cool opportunity for our kids!

It is called "The Road" Song Contest

Here are the bullet points:

• Open to kids ages 10-19 (and doesn't have to be students in band, orch. or chorus.  ie could be dancers/guitarists/etc), with parent's signed permission and a $3 entrance fee. 
• The winner receives $2,000 for the town, $2,000 for their music program, and a $10,000 scholarship for themselves!
• They will be given a recording and sheet music of the song "The Road" by Casely and The Jank (whom Scott is half of), and must interpret it through a music cover, remix, or dance performance.
• It isn't really a focus on pure musical talent or skill. Think "creativity" first! How can the student's apply their knowledge? 
• The contest is open from 2/14 to 8/25.
• They must upload their submission to YouTube, and the winner will be announced in December.

Feel free to email Scott if you have any questions along the way: corbin11@hotmail.com.