06 June 2012
MUSIC
It has been a fun-filled, musical year!
Kindergarten- This last quarter of the school year we worked on co-ordination with movements, commands, and excersises. We had fun learning new songs, playing "bean bag boogie" and working on music sites in the computer lab.
1st Grade- Along with new songs, rhythm, beat and pitch, we also learned about the basic notes of music. We also enjoyed singing songs about farm animals and the students made up their own version of "Old Mac Donal's Farm".
2nd Grade-This quarter we sang songs about animal from dino dancing to circus animals. We reviewed our knowledge of notes and dynamics.
3rd Grade- Operas and musicals were introduced to third grade. We learned what it takes to be a composer, lyricist, director and choreographer. We sang some academy award winning songs and even made up our own operas based on children's fairy tales.
4th Grade-We were able to finish our study of the families of the orchestra. We used our wonderful technology to visit many virtual sites so we could try our hands at playing the piano, drums, and cello, just to name a few!
5th Grade- We completed our study of composers from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. We realized the genius of these composers and how music, society and the orchestra changed over time. Lots of interesting discussions!
Have a safe and happy summer!!!
Kindergarten- This last quarter of the school year we worked on co-ordination with movements, commands, and excersises. We had fun learning new songs, playing "bean bag boogie" and working on music sites in the computer lab.
1st Grade- Along with new songs, rhythm, beat and pitch, we also learned about the basic notes of music. We also enjoyed singing songs about farm animals and the students made up their own version of "Old Mac Donal's Farm".
2nd Grade-This quarter we sang songs about animal from dino dancing to circus animals. We reviewed our knowledge of notes and dynamics.
3rd Grade- Operas and musicals were introduced to third grade. We learned what it takes to be a composer, lyricist, director and choreographer. We sang some academy award winning songs and even made up our own operas based on children's fairy tales.
4th Grade-We were able to finish our study of the families of the orchestra. We used our wonderful technology to visit many virtual sites so we could try our hands at playing the piano, drums, and cello, just to name a few!
5th Grade- We completed our study of composers from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. We realized the genius of these composers and how music, society and the orchestra changed over time. Lots of interesting discussions!
Have a safe and happy summer!!!
21 December 2011
News from the World of Music
Kindergarten-We have been busy rehearsing our songs for the Christmas concert. The students are very excited to be able to perform in front of their parents and family. When the New Year starts will will be talking about snow, snowmen and snowflakes and we will be learning new songs about these and the fun things we can do during the winter season. We will be using some light percussion instruments to depict snowy weather.
1st-Just like kindergarten, we have been busy rehearsing for the Christmas concert. When we return we will be learning some basic notes and how to sequence story songs. We will implement the use of technology with our winter songs and will talk about rhythm.
2nd- Beside our work on the Christmas concert we have taken a look at Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker". We have discuss the story line, composer, and its beautiful music. We will continue with this wonderful masterpiece after the holidays and then go one to basic notations and introduce dynamics.
3rd-We will continue our work on songs of America and have discussed the historic significance of these songs and what had been going on in America at the time of these compositions. We have completed flags about ourselves in conjunction with George M. Cohan's "You're a Grand Old Flag". After the holiday we will also take a review of basic dynamics and will discuss these at a higher level.
4th-We are working on a composition project with the percussion family. The students picked an animal and must think of ways they would compose a piece of music for that particular animal due to its size, sound, habitat etc. and what percussion instrument would best describe that creature.We will be using our computer technology along with this project.
5th-We are now finishing the life, times and work of Antonio Vivaldi. The class has gone to the computer lab to listen to his famous " Four Seasons" and answered questions, and we have discussed his inspiration for this celebrated work. On our return, we will put art to his music. Then on to George F. Handel and his works especially focusing on his famous oratorio,"The Messiah".
Wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays!
Kindergarten-We have been busy rehearsing our songs for the Christmas concert. The students are very excited to be able to perform in front of their parents and family. When the New Year starts will will be talking about snow, snowmen and snowflakes and we will be learning new songs about these and the fun things we can do during the winter season. We will be using some light percussion instruments to depict snowy weather.
1st-Just like kindergarten, we have been busy rehearsing for the Christmas concert. When we return we will be learning some basic notes and how to sequence story songs. We will implement the use of technology with our winter songs and will talk about rhythm.
2nd- Beside our work on the Christmas concert we have taken a look at Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker". We have discuss the story line, composer, and its beautiful music. We will continue with this wonderful masterpiece after the holidays and then go one to basic notations and introduce dynamics.
3rd-We will continue our work on songs of America and have discussed the historic significance of these songs and what had been going on in America at the time of these compositions. We have completed flags about ourselves in conjunction with George M. Cohan's "You're a Grand Old Flag". After the holiday we will also take a review of basic dynamics and will discuss these at a higher level.
4th-We are working on a composition project with the percussion family. The students picked an animal and must think of ways they would compose a piece of music for that particular animal due to its size, sound, habitat etc. and what percussion instrument would best describe that creature.We will be using our computer technology along with this project.
5th-We are now finishing the life, times and work of Antonio Vivaldi. The class has gone to the computer lab to listen to his famous " Four Seasons" and answered questions, and we have discussed his inspiration for this celebrated work. On our return, we will put art to his music. Then on to George F. Handel and his works especially focusing on his famous oratorio,"The Messiah".
Wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays!
03 October 2011
What's been happening in music-----lots of great things!
K-1st, We have been expressing our movements to music with follow along songs and exercises, we even have used bean bags and enjoyed boogying along with songs. This week we will learn Columbus songs and will start celebrating Halloween with the Skeleton dance and pumpkin songs.
2nd, We will be winding up our study of pitch and will be moving on to simple note recognition. We will start our songs on Columbus and of course some spooky and silly Halloween songs.
3rd, The students just completed their own 6 beat ending to an old folk song and were very creative. This week we are going to study the patriotic songs of America, including the history behind their writing and their authors, of course we will be singing these songs too. October and November will also be dedicated to a review of dynamics in music theory.
4th, We are busy studying the percussion family of the orchestra. We have taken an in depth look at some of the oldest instruments, and how they have evolved and are used in the modern orchestra. We will have a live demonstration of the drum and have been using our wonderful computer lab to visit various sites including a percussion safari from Carnegie Hall. We will continue to use technology to further our knowledge of percussion instruments with several virtual sites and experimenting with sounds.
5th, The class has just finished the biography, works and society of Johann Sebastian Bach. With this we study the Baroque period including their customs, clothing, architecuture, and musical instruments. Bach is considered to be the greatest composer of this musical era. We have listened to his concertos, fugues and enjoyed an HBOkids movie which chronicled his fight for musical expression. We had many great discussions as we took our first step into the world of classical composers. Next onto to Vivaldi and Handel!
K-1st, We have been expressing our movements to music with follow along songs and exercises, we even have used bean bags and enjoyed boogying along with songs. This week we will learn Columbus songs and will start celebrating Halloween with the Skeleton dance and pumpkin songs.
2nd, We will be winding up our study of pitch and will be moving on to simple note recognition. We will start our songs on Columbus and of course some spooky and silly Halloween songs.
3rd, The students just completed their own 6 beat ending to an old folk song and were very creative. This week we are going to study the patriotic songs of America, including the history behind their writing and their authors, of course we will be singing these songs too. October and November will also be dedicated to a review of dynamics in music theory.
4th, We are busy studying the percussion family of the orchestra. We have taken an in depth look at some of the oldest instruments, and how they have evolved and are used in the modern orchestra. We will have a live demonstration of the drum and have been using our wonderful computer lab to visit various sites including a percussion safari from Carnegie Hall. We will continue to use technology to further our knowledge of percussion instruments with several virtual sites and experimenting with sounds.
5th, The class has just finished the biography, works and society of Johann Sebastian Bach. With this we study the Baroque period including their customs, clothing, architecuture, and musical instruments. Bach is considered to be the greatest composer of this musical era. We have listened to his concertos, fugues and enjoyed an HBOkids movie which chronicled his fight for musical expression. We had many great discussions as we took our first step into the world of classical composers. Next onto to Vivaldi and Handel!
07 September 2011
Welcome to Music
Music Appreciation: Music is a subject that can build self-confidence, creativity, higher math and language achievement and enjoyment. All classes make use of hands-on involvement as well and extensive use of technology for interactive and virtual activities.
Grades K through 3rd. We work and introduce recognition of simple notes and signs, beat, tempo, dynamics, pitch, etc Lots of singing and movement to songs, nursery rhymes, poems, and short plays. Loads of fun!
4th Grade-The Orchestra! The Fourth grade will study the origins of the modern orchestra which includes an in depth study of the orchestral families, (percussion, strings, woodwinds, and brass), their history and physical make-up and timbre. They will also enjoy several demonstrations of certain instruments along with interactive technology. We will also look at instruments of different cultures and their place in today's orchestra.
5th Grade-Welcome to the Classics! Fifth grade explores the life, time, and culture of the world's greatest composers of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. We study their compositions and choice of instruments as well as their lasting effect on our current civilization.
Mrs. Draths cdraths[at]stjuliana[dot]org
Grades K through 3rd. We work and introduce recognition of simple notes and signs, beat, tempo, dynamics, pitch, etc Lots of singing and movement to songs, nursery rhymes, poems, and short plays. Loads of fun!
4th Grade-The Orchestra! The Fourth grade will study the origins of the modern orchestra which includes an in depth study of the orchestral families, (percussion, strings, woodwinds, and brass), their history and physical make-up and timbre. They will also enjoy several demonstrations of certain instruments along with interactive technology. We will also look at instruments of different cultures and their place in today's orchestra.
5th Grade-Welcome to the Classics! Fifth grade explores the life, time, and culture of the world's greatest composers of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. We study their compositions and choice of instruments as well as their lasting effect on our current civilization.
Mrs. Draths cdraths[at]stjuliana[dot]org
31 March 2011
MUSIC
Here is what's been happening in Music
1st grade We've been singing about apples and bananas and vowels. We have also been talking and singing about Spring. We recently have learned songs about amphibians and have made up rhyming verses. The students have also made and decorated their very own maracas.
2nd grade We have also been singing about spring, especially kites. We had a discussion about the history of kites and their importance in battle and for their use as signals. We viewed a short "how to" video on making your own kite, and have learned songs about kites. We have culminated this by making "musical" kites. Next, we will spend lots of time rehearsing our songs for First Communion.
3rd grade We have finished our exploration of opera, and constructed a small set design. We have just started our study of stories set to music, as in movies and plays. Today we discussed the jobs of composers and lyricists and how their composistions must meet the need of a story plot. We will be delving into books that became screenplays and then movies or stage plays. We will be learning songs from such greats as "Peter Pan", "Mary Poppins,"The Wizard of Oz", just to name a few. They seem to be very excited about this!
4th grade We have finished our study of the string family of the orchestra and will be moving on to the woodwinds and brass before the school year ends. We have used many technology sites for a "hands on" experience with instruments. Lots of fun!
5th grade The fifth graders have finished their study of the great German composers and have moved on to Austria and the great genius of Mozart and Strauss. We will be journeying to France, Italy and Russia next. Hope to be making a stop in the U.S. too, if time allows. The students really seem enthralled with the lives, times and works of these great composers. Just ask them what they know about Beethoven.
1st grade We've been singing about apples and bananas and vowels. We have also been talking and singing about Spring. We recently have learned songs about amphibians and have made up rhyming verses. The students have also made and decorated their very own maracas.
2nd grade We have also been singing about spring, especially kites. We had a discussion about the history of kites and their importance in battle and for their use as signals. We viewed a short "how to" video on making your own kite, and have learned songs about kites. We have culminated this by making "musical" kites. Next, we will spend lots of time rehearsing our songs for First Communion.
3rd grade We have finished our exploration of opera, and constructed a small set design. We have just started our study of stories set to music, as in movies and plays. Today we discussed the jobs of composers and lyricists and how their composistions must meet the need of a story plot. We will be delving into books that became screenplays and then movies or stage plays. We will be learning songs from such greats as "Peter Pan", "Mary Poppins,"The Wizard of Oz", just to name a few. They seem to be very excited about this!
4th grade We have finished our study of the string family of the orchestra and will be moving on to the woodwinds and brass before the school year ends. We have used many technology sites for a "hands on" experience with instruments. Lots of fun!
5th grade The fifth graders have finished their study of the great German composers and have moved on to Austria and the great genius of Mozart and Strauss. We will be journeying to France, Italy and Russia next. Hope to be making a stop in the U.S. too, if time allows. The students really seem enthralled with the lives, times and works of these great composers. Just ask them what they know about Beethoven.
16 February 2011
music
Music Fun!!!!
1st Grade--We are working on instruments and their sounds and how to mimic rhythms. We will be making our own maracas soon.
2nd Grade--We are continuing our work on note recognition, forte, piano, and pitch. We will soon be working on music genres.
3rd Grade--Opera! Third grade has been spending time working on the elements of the opera,including voice range, composers, and orchestration. We recently viewed "Hansel and Gretel" that was recorded from the NY Metropolitan Opera. We then used our technology and became operatic designers by going to KUSC creative kids. Great site.
4th Grade--Our work has taken us to the String section of the orchestra. We have learned of their history, construction and had a violin presentation. We have also employed many web sites, including Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic.
5th Grade--We are in the midst of Beethoven "mania" he was considered the "rock" star of his time. Such beautiful work from a man with a tumultuous life. We've contrasted and compared his wonderful compositions. What a true musical genius! We will view his biography from HBO kids, "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" a fact based bio with 25 of Beethoven's compositions incorporated into the movie.
1st Grade--We are working on instruments and their sounds and how to mimic rhythms. We will be making our own maracas soon.
2nd Grade--We are continuing our work on note recognition, forte, piano, and pitch. We will soon be working on music genres.
3rd Grade--Opera! Third grade has been spending time working on the elements of the opera,including voice range, composers, and orchestration. We recently viewed "Hansel and Gretel" that was recorded from the NY Metropolitan Opera. We then used our technology and became operatic designers by going to KUSC creative kids. Great site.
4th Grade--Our work has taken us to the String section of the orchestra. We have learned of their history, construction and had a violin presentation. We have also employed many web sites, including Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic.
5th Grade--We are in the midst of Beethoven "mania" he was considered the "rock" star of his time. Such beautiful work from a man with a tumultuous life. We've contrasted and compared his wonderful compositions. What a true musical genius! We will view his biography from HBO kids, "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" a fact based bio with 25 of Beethoven's compositions incorporated into the movie.
06 January 2011
music
New Year Greetings! I hope you had a peaceful vacation and were able to join us back in December of our Christmas concerts, the children worked very hard and the out come was both memorable and terrific.
K and lst We are working on Winter songs, including songs about snowmen, penguins, polar bears and snow flakes. We created our own snowflakes to music on our Snowflake Factory web site, lot of fun!
2nd We will be singing and working on winter songs also and have continued our work on musical notation recognition.
3rd We have continued our work on Americana compositions.Today we talked about folk songs and some of America's famous composers of these song(e.g. Woody Guthrie, etc), and what was going on in our country at that time.
4th We will be moving on from the percussion instruments of the orchestra and on to the string instruments. We will be studying this largest section of the orchestra, its history and making of these instruments along with a lot of technology work.
5th We have done extensive work on the classical composers such as Bach and Handel, we are starting the biographical study of Beethoven along with all of his great compositions and his health and mental detriments.
K and lst We are working on Winter songs, including songs about snowmen, penguins, polar bears and snow flakes. We created our own snowflakes to music on our Snowflake Factory web site, lot of fun!
2nd We will be singing and working on winter songs also and have continued our work on musical notation recognition.
3rd We have continued our work on Americana compositions.Today we talked about folk songs and some of America's famous composers of these song(e.g. Woody Guthrie, etc), and what was going on in our country at that time.
4th We will be moving on from the percussion instruments of the orchestra and on to the string instruments. We will be studying this largest section of the orchestra, its history and making of these instruments along with a lot of technology work.
5th We have done extensive work on the classical composers such as Bach and Handel, we are starting the biographical study of Beethoven along with all of his great compositions and his health and mental detriments.
26 May 2010
music web site, nims island
5th grade enjoyed creating music with animals sounds similar to that of Camille Saint-Saens, the famous French composer of The Carnival of Aninmals.
18 May 2010
music
Please check out the slide show that third grade created ex- cellent!!
2nd grade has been singing, and dancing to the songs from the animal kingdom, and what better place to start than with the dinosaurs. From there we went to the creatures of the deep blue sea and discussed ways to keep out waters clean, we're on to cats and dogs next, lots of fun!
4th grade has completed the world of the orchestra. We have learned the 4 families of the orchestra and had some wonderful demonstrations from our own students on the percussion and strings. We have been able to use our technology to better understand the different musical instruments, their history and sounds.
5th grade has almost completed our tour of the classical composers of Germany, Austria, Russia, France and lastly the great operatic composers of Italy.
2nd grade has been singing, and dancing to the songs from the animal kingdom, and what better place to start than with the dinosaurs. From there we went to the creatures of the deep blue sea and discussed ways to keep out waters clean, we're on to cats and dogs next, lots of fun!
4th grade has completed the world of the orchestra. We have learned the 4 families of the orchestra and had some wonderful demonstrations from our own students on the percussion and strings. We have been able to use our technology to better understand the different musical instruments, their history and sounds.
5th grade has almost completed our tour of the classical composers of Germany, Austria, Russia, France and lastly the great operatic composers of Italy.
18 May 2010
11 May 2010
music
Third Grade has been very busy learning and singing the songs from great children's movie musicals such as Peter Pan, Charlotte's Web, Mary Poppins and the Wizard of Oz. They find it very interesting as we always discuss the authors and books prior to the songs. They have also completed a slide show that will be available soon for you to view. They had to choose a melody and draw a picture that describes the musical tune, you'll be pleasantly surpised with their work.
30 March 2010
Rap Songs from Fifth Grade
Rap 5 from Madelyn Gawne on Vimeo.
Rap 4 from Madelyn Gawne on Vimeo.
Rap 3 from Madelyn Gawne on Vimeo.
Rap 2 from Madelyn Gawne on Vimeo.
Rap 1 from Madelyn Gawne on Vimeo.
03 November 2009
Music
We have been very busy making music!
K and 1st Have been learning Animal Actions,and doing the " Bean Bag Boogies" lots of motion and good for listening skills.
2nd has been working notes of scale along with pitch
3rd grade went to the interactive opera today. Great web that allowed the students to create their own opera for Hansel and Gretel. Some students wanted to finish Act 3&4,
the web address is kusc.org/kids/ It's not only informative but loads of fun!
4th will be enjoying the same opera next week
5th is studying the life of Ludwig Von Beethoven, possibly the greatest composer of all time, we listened to Symphonies # 7 & 9 and "Moonlight" comparing the change in his music in relevance to what was happening in hhis tumultuous life. Very interesting!!!
K and 1st Have been learning Animal Actions,and doing the " Bean Bag Boogies" lots of motion and good for listening skills.
2nd has been working notes of scale along with pitch
3rd grade went to the interactive opera today. Great web that allowed the students to create their own opera for Hansel and Gretel. Some students wanted to finish Act 3&4,
the web address is kusc.org/kids/ It's not only informative but loads of fun!
4th will be enjoying the same opera next week
5th is studying the life of Ludwig Von Beethoven, possibly the greatest composer of all time, we listened to Symphonies # 7 & 9 and "Moonlight" comparing the change in his music in relevance to what was happening in hhis tumultuous life. Very interesting!!!
13 October 2009
music
Greetings Here's what is going on in Music
First grade has learned the words and sequence to "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly". We listened to the CD and viewed the video (very cute). We sequenced the time order of the animals and made a booklet so we can sing the song in order.
Second grade has been working on their favorite songs. Shortly, we will be working on the play the Bremen Town Musicians.
Third grade has been singing "It's a Grand Old Flag", we discussed the composer, George M. Cohan and what was going on in America that inspired him to write this song.
We then sang and discussed the Star Spangled Banner and its historical significance.We also used an interactive web-site from the Smithsonian Institute on the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key.
Fourth grade will be working on the orchestra and its four families. We will be listening to the different instruments individually and with orchestration.
Fifth grade is busy learning about the country of Germany and its most famous composers of the classic era. Along with this we will be listening to their compositions and viewing DVD's from HBO For KIds to find out more about these musical geniuses and how they have influenced our contemporary lives and music.
Kindergarten has been singing about animals. We discussed pets and how we should take care of them.
First grade has learned the words and sequence to "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly". We listened to the CD and viewed the video (very cute). We sequenced the time order of the animals and made a booklet so we can sing the song in order.
Second grade has been working on their favorite songs. Shortly, we will be working on the play the Bremen Town Musicians.
Third grade has been singing "It's a Grand Old Flag", we discussed the composer, George M. Cohan and what was going on in America that inspired him to write this song.
We then sang and discussed the Star Spangled Banner and its historical significance.We also used an interactive web-site from the Smithsonian Institute on the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key.
Fourth grade will be working on the orchestra and its four families. We will be listening to the different instruments individually and with orchestration.
Fifth grade is busy learning about the country of Germany and its most famous composers of the classic era. Along with this we will be listening to their compositions and viewing DVD's from HBO For KIds to find out more about these musical geniuses and how they have influenced our contemporary lives and music.
Kindergarten has been singing about animals. We discussed pets and how we should take care of them.