The 2011-2012 music classes are going great!  The students are enthusiastic about coming and being a part of the world of music.  Whether we are singing, dancing, playing instruments, learning about composers, trying our best to keep our tongues "untangled" on the tongues twisters, or talking about theory, the students are full of excitement.  We have a wonderful, fun-filled year ahead!

3's & 4's

Whether we are dancing, singing about Aikendrum with spaghetti hair, marching and playing instruments in our "band", or praising God, the 3 and 4 year olds are having a fun time making music.  They are filled with joy and excitement that comes bubbling out each time they set foot in the classroom.  Fast/slow, high/low, and loud/soft are some of the concepts we discuss as we explore the wonderful world of music by way of those tried and true nursery rhymes as well as fun new melodies and rhythm songs and activities.  It is amazing to watch each child find his/her own little song and beat from deep within and see the joy when they let it "loose".  Filled with energy and enthusiasm, the 3's and 4's bring a smile to your face and to your heart.

Kindergarten

The students have begun their study of music theory which includes concepts such as high/low, loud/soft, up/down note movement, the musical alphabet, line and space note identification, dynamics and note value.  They are also having a great time as they sing and dance to a variety of songs.  Whether the students are singing a silly song, praising God, describing or "drawing" how a piece of music makes them feel or what "picture" it paints in their mind, or learning theory through new songs and activities, they are full of life and excitement, and a joy to have in class.

We are enthusiastically learning and singing our Christmas Pageant songs and preparing for the kindergarteners debut in the 2011 performance of The Baby in the Manger, which will take place December 7th and 8th in the church--more details to follow later.  The students have been assigned their parts and are anxious to get their scripts, which will be sent home the middle of October.  Important information concerning costumes, performances, deadlines, etc. will be communicated via the room mothers through email.  The joy of Christmas is beginning to fill the kindergarten hearts and minds already!

1st Grade

The first grade students have begun their exploration of the world of music in a variety of ways.  Throughout the year we will be studying the world of jazz.  The students will be singing and dancing along with jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, and will dabble in a bit of "scat" singing as they "feel" that jazzy and bluesy beat.

In addition to our jazz study, the students will be learning music theory concepts such as high/low, dynamics, the musical alphabet, note movement up/down, step and skip notes (visual and auditory recognition), line and space note identification, and following/reading a piece of music.  Add to the above learning about the history of, and listening to the music of, various cultures and their gift of music to the world; singing songs of praise to God; and singing and moving to a variety of songs, and you can see that we will keep busy having loads of music fun! 

2nd Grade

The second grade students have been exploring the world of music in a variety of ways.  Throughout this year we will be studying Broadway songs/musicals.  The students will be listening to and singing songs from a variety of Broadway musicals and discussing the relationship between Broadway plays/musicals and motion picture productions of these plays/musicals.  They will  be introduced to several Broadway songs by way of our music magazine, Music Express, giving the students an opportunity to become familiar with a wide variety of sounds, rhythms and "stories" in song as they sing and dance to the music they hear and the music they "feel" inside.

In addition to our Broadway study, the students will be learning music theory concepts such as high/low, dynamics, the musical alphabet, note movement up/down, step and skip notes (visual and auditory identification), line and space note idenfication, clapping out rhythms and following/reading a piece of music.  They will also be learning about various composers--their musical gifts, compositions, historical influence, and much more.  Add to the above learning about the history of, and listening to the music of, various cultures and their gift of music to the world; singing songs of praise to God; and singing and moving to a variety of songs, and you can see that we will be keeping busy having loads of music fun!   

Jr. FCA  (begins in September--more specific date information to follow)

Each Wednesday morning from 7:15-7:45 AM grades 1 through 4 students have the opportunity to meet with me for a fun-filled Bible study in room 503.  We discuss the love of God for each of us and learn how He wants us to live and serve Him day to day.  As we study God's Word and those in the Bible and in our present day who have served and are serving Him, we learn how we can grow in living for Him at school, at home and in every area of our lives.  It is a great opportunity to join with other students and grow in the knowledge of God as we listen to stories, play games and read scripture.