Music K-8 September and October 2012
Ms. Manion K-2
K, 1, and 2 music students have been singing songs focused on pitch (high and low) and exploring their vocal range with Mr. Wizard. Students have been playing rhythm games, reading and chanting patterns. They are developing a greater understanding of the difference between steady beat and rhythmic patterning while internalizing the beat in their minds and bodies. Every month students will learn new songs and musical concepts through singing, playing instruments, listening, and moving to music.
Questions to ask your child to enhance our music learning in K, 1, & 2:
1. What did Mr. Wizard teach you?
2. What kind of manners does Mr. Rabbit have?
3. What makes Ms. Crabby very happy?
4. What does it mean to use your thinking voice while singing a song?
5. What are the different ways of using your voice?
6. What is the difference between a steady beat and a rhythmic pattern?
Grade 3 Music with Ms. Manion and Ms. Sheridan
Grade 3 Music classes have been singing songs together that focus on story telling, steady beat, playing games, and singing in a round. Students are reading basic duple rhythmic patterns using the Takadimi rhythm reading solfege system. Recorders have been sent home and we’ll begin playing recorder in music class in October.
Please remind your child to bring their recorder and binder to music classes.
Questions to ask your child to enhance our music learning
1.
Could you please show me your recorder, binder with music, and play the note b on your instrument?
2.
Can you write B A G on the treble staff and play it?
3.
What is a musical phrase? What is a round?
Ms. Sheridan Grades 4-6
4 th Grade Music:
Students just finished arranging and recording Canoe Song in class. We used xylophone, recorder, drums, shakers and rain stick to perform the piece. Then as we listened to our recording, we reflected on the process and our performance. We have also begun our covered wagon “tour” of traditional American Folk music in
New England. As the year continues, we will move through each region until we get to California! Things to ask your child:
 What was your favorite part of the recording process for Canoe Song?
 What is a ballad? Can you sing an example from class?
 What is a reel? What games/dances do you know in reel formation?

5th Grade Music:
Students are exploring what it means to compose. We used a poem to inspire a group composition and each class is in the process of putting our ideas together and performing the whole work in class. Things to ask your child:
 What is the difference between composing and conducting?
 What is a theme in music? Can you sing one of the themes we composed in class?
 Can you recite the poem that inspired our composition?
7th Grade Music:
Students have completed a review of reading and writing music and are deep into our introduction to guitar! We are playing simple melodies, picking individual notes. In the coming weeks, we will move on to chords and playing complete songs.
Things to ask your child:
 Can you name all the parts of the guitar?
 What songs are you best at playing?
 What is the most challenging part of playing so far?
8 th Grade Music:
Students have completed their review of the guitar skills and chords from 7 th grade and are moving ahead into learning about and playing the blues. We are listening to many examples of the style, and discussing key characteristics of each piece. On
October 30th, the whole 8 th grade will be attending a field trip to the House of Blues for an excellent program connecting American history and the evolution of the Blues style. Things to ask your child:
 What are some common themes in Blues songs?
 What is the typical rhyme scheme for Blues lyrics?
 Where did the Blues originate?
5 th Grade Chorus:
Students are working on learning to read music using the solfege hand sign system.
We have begun learning music for our Winter Concert on December 18 th at
Brookline High School as well. Things to ask your child:
 Can you sing part of a song from rehearsal from memory?
 Can you demonstrate all of the hands signs?
6 th Grade Chorus:
Students are sight-reading using the solfege hand sign system as part of our warm up at every rehearsal. They have worked on their reading skills as a whole group and in partner pairs independently. They are working hard and progressing quickly!

We have also started to learn music for our Winter Concert on December 18 th at
Brookline High School. Things to ask your child:
 Can you sing part of a song from rehearsal from memory?
 Can you demonstrate all of the hands signs?
7/8 th Grade Chorus:
Students are sight-reading using the solfege hand sign system as part of our warm up at every rehearsal. They have worked on this skill as a whole group and can sight sing in 3-4 parts independently! We have also started to learn music for our Winter
Concert on December 18 th at Brookline High School. The group is sounding excellent! Things to ask your child:
 Can you sing part of a song from rehearsal from memory?
 Can you demonstrate all of the hands signs?
 Can you harmonize with a friend from another voice part?