October 2009

 *For some reason, the SchoolNotes.Com Email option is not working. Please send e-mails directly to me from your provider site to: kakennedysmith@lpssonline.com

*Grades 4-5 Vocal Music classes are learning about melody this month. All notes are in their binders and tests for the unit will be communicated by the daily agenda entry made by your child. We sing by reading melodic notation and learn to recognize the placement of pitches (notes) on a staff in relation to the other notes. Special vocabulary words and key points have been circled by your student during the guided learning in their melody copy pack.

*Grade 3 Vocal Exploratory just began October 12th. What a great group of students. We will forge quickly to learn as much as possible in these nine short weeks. A letter was sent home October 12th for parents to read, then sign and return. Students returning this week will get a starbuck! I will give each student a folder with supplies they will need for the semester. Bringing the supplies every day is essential to optimum learning preparedness.  A daily agenda will be written by your child with information for you. Ask them to show you their entry daily, please. A Third Grade Arts Field Trip is scheduled for October 23rd. Students will get to go to the Acadiana Symphony Educational Concert. Congrats to the students (and parents) who signed up to go - you are building your art smarts!

*Grades K-2 just began a new cycle on October 12th. Classes are reviewing Vocal Music procedures/expectations/rules/rewards/reviewing and building upon previously learned songs. Many incentives are in place for personal and class reward. Ask your child to teach you the songs, games and rhythms. Some children may even love to retell my crazy stories that are paired to new song learning.

*Vocal Club (5th grade) is using the Carry-A-Tune/Singing Coach software for independent vocal lessons on computer. Students track their progress and grades during the year on a paper chart. Students completing the program of twenty-six lessons will earn special recognition at graduation.

*Calendar dates for Gr. 3 & 5 Showcases are on this site. Grade 4 should anticipate a performance in May on their awards day (tba). Additional dates to note include: Silent Auction (December), ArtWalk (January), JWJ Mardi Gras Kazoo Krewe Parade, Arts Under the Stars and more!

*Grades 3-5 take tests on memorized songs throughout the year. The current repertoire song test is for America the Beautiful. Song lyrics may be studied from the copy in your child's binder. This song is a common song for audition to L.J. Alleman and Honor Choirs.

*If you would like to help in any way with our only Arts Fundraiser, The Silent Auction, please contact me. We especially need help with solicited items. If you or your business can donate to our event, please consider this tax-deductible gesture. Certificates, products, Tickets to Events, Art Work, Crafts and Monetary donations are a few ideas from donations in the past years.

*Thank you to the families that have paid the vocal fee. We've handed out the supplies to the Gr. 3-5 students regardless of fee status. If you have not paid, please contact me so we can discuss options.

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2009-2010

WELCOME!

Let me first say thank you to every vocal parent who has entrusted their child's musical development to me. I find my job to be an incredible honor and responsibility. I can assure you that I do not take the responsibility lightly. I work hard to provide the best musical experience for my students.

Please consult the vocal handbook (for grades 4-5). It is a storehouse of information with most questions and answers you'll need all year. Please keep it handy to refer to all year as well.

JWJ Grade Level Music Objectives, National Music Standards, and State Arts Standards can be provided to you by request.

To keep on top of what we are doing in Vocal Music, open your child's agenda and read his/her daily vocal music entries. Each entry is written by your child and is a short summary of our lesson focus.

There was a strange event of miscommunicated arts/vocal fees this year....so sorry for any confusion. A letter has been sent home to grades 3-5 to clarify the fee amount and its uses. Grades 4&5 Vocal Fee is $20 and Grade 3 Arts Enrichment Fee is $10. The K-2 Arts Enrichment Fees are $5.

K. KennedySmith
Your child's vocal music teacher at JWJ