October 13th, 2010 | 
Author: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^MAY^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MAY FOCUS: We will be wrapping up our school year by revisiting steady beat, rhythm, playing instruments, movement, and Animal Action Songs.
Kindergarten students have music class every Tuesday for 30 minutes. During our time together we sing a welcome song and play a game. Each week we try to incorporate movement into our lesson which can be directed or free-form.
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We will be wrapping up our school year by completing our study of “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens. Students have been hearing the individual songs of each animal as well as learning about the sounds of the instruments used to represent that animal. Students used movement to show the differences between songs for tempo (speed) and feeling (the tortoise is different from the kangaroo). Students will be bringing home a folder with coloring sheets of each animal. Our activities will culminate with students viewing a video in which they can see the instrument players and animals in a zoo while hearing the music.
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Second graders will be winding up their study of orchestra instruments with the brass family. Trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, and sousaphone will be the focus. Students will be bringing home a folder with information packets and puzzles for each of the instrument families.
Hopefully, your child was excited about the Skype session with the Grammy winning percussionist Glenn Kotche. Mr. Kotche (yes, we are related as he is my brother-in-law) and Doug Perkins of Dartmouth College played a great variety of percussion instruments for the children explaining the history and playing technique. The children especially liked the spiral cymbals, the gong, and the tympani drums. Students asked questions at the end of the session.
*******MAY*******
Students will be completing the final month of school while learning to play B-A-G on their recorders. Recorders will go home at the end of the school year, BUT NEED TO BE KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE!!! Students will need them in fourth grade. Please DO NOT throw away the recorder or book.
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Students will be doing a variety of activities in music class over the last month of school. Tone chimes, boomwhackers, and Orff instruments will be played to songs old and new. Students will also move and sing while reinforcing music concepts as we prepare for fifth grade music.
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Fifth graders will complete their study of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Our National Anthem is of great importance and all fifth graders should be able to recite the first verse as well as sing that verse. Students should also know proper behavior and etiquette while experiencing the National Anthem in a public place.
Classroom instruments, singing, and moving will also be part of your child’s final music month at Erickson School.
PLEASE encourage your child to become involved at Westfield School. There are so many opportunities available that students should be able to find a niche that fills their need to belong.
PERMISSION SLIPS FOR CONCERT CHOIR AND SWING CHOIR NEED TO BE TO MRS. KOTCHE BY MAY 8. If you have any questions about the new graded choir class at Westfield next year, please contact me!!
25 Chorus and Tech Crew members attenbded the
KANE COUNTY COUGARS GAME
on April 21, 2011
for Youth Choir Night.
Three schools participated with Erickson being the youngest group of students.
Students sang and signed “Plant a Tree” by Teresa Jennings while their images were broadcast on the big screen in the outfield. Many compliments were given by the Cougars people regarding their singing!!
Four students were chosen to participate in a giant bean bag toss between the first and second inning. Those students were given prizes as they ended in the two teams tying.
Even though it was chilly a good time was had by all!!
