Our year in music is progressing at a fast pace. In the primary grades, we’ve explored weather, seasons, safety and community building, and land and water forms. In Kindergarten, we’ve been learning about different animals that can be found on a farm. Each animal has a unique sound associated with it, and we have learned nursery rhymes, songs, and games that help us learn musical concepts. After one nursery rhyme, George told me that we should be using high voices on the part where the pig goes up, and low voices when Mr. Brown brings him down. I told him that he must be a musician to recognize that. George then told his teacher in class that I had told him he must be a musician, but he wants to be an engineer! I think he can do both! Another student shared with me that she had tried to teach her parents the “cow” song, but they didn’t understand. We had been playing “Hunt the Cows,” which is a song game that demonstrates fast, slow, and anticipation.

In Lower Elementary, classes have been learning about what a steady pulse is by playing various games that allow them to keep the pulse in their feet as they play. First graders now know that the steady pulse is called ta.

It is so much fun to play, move, sing, and create in our music classes. Each class participates in various song games, movement activities, melodic training, and instrument activities that build the child’s understanding of musical concepts, as well as how to interact and create with others.

We played the song game “Draw a Bucket of Water”. The children are learning to keep the pulse by pulling each others arms back and forth. As the game progresses they get closer and closer as each child gets let under the other children’s arms. Eventually they are in a tight group jumping to the beat of the song.

Upper elementary and middle school students have started learning to play the Soprano Recorder. It is challenging; however, they are beginning to actually play melodies! Parents, please be patient with them as they practice at home. I promise that soon the sounds emanating from their recorders will actually start to sound like music! Natalie (upper el student) is so excited to learn, that she asked if she could meet me after school to learn B, A, and G on her instrument. As a teacher, It is so fulfilling to have students be so engaged and excited to learn.