Another month has passed by quickly! This month in music the Primary grades (ages 3-6) have learned songs related to:

• anatomy with songs and games such as Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Put Your Little Foot, and Hinges.  
• mammals using different colored cards to move like various animals, and playing games like Drop the Handkerchief and My Pony Macaroni.
• continents singing The  Continent Song, and Hello to All the Children of the World, then singing songs and playing instruments from various parts of the World. Each class focused on the area they were going to be for International Children’s Day.

This past week we have also played and sung some Halloween songs and games. A favorite is Black Cat, Black Cat Where are you Hiding? We use dynamics to help the seeker find where the black cat has been hiding by singing louder when they are closer, and quieter when they are far away. This has been a fun and exciting month for Primary students.

Lower elementary students (1sr – 3rd grade) are working hard to learn all of the songs for our Winter Program in December. They amaze me with their ability to remember! Each grade has also learned a dance for the program. The third grade students are really excited to perform the Sword Dance, the second grade the Hora, and the first grade the KinderPolka for their families. We have interspersed all this practice with fun musical games, songs, and activities. We are going to be ready when our performances come.

Upper El and Middle School Students (4th – 8th grade) have continued to work on learning to play the Soprano Recorder. They can now play lower E, which expands our ability to play melodies. We used our barred instruments to accompany ourselves while recorder playing.  We’ve also done some work with movement. The Middle School students have created and performed their own tableaus to favorite quotes from A Midsummer’s Night Dream. All grades are working on a rhythm movement lesson called Good, Better, Best which has allowed them to create and perform their own hand games and dances. This lesson will culminate with the students working together to create a song and accompaniment to the poem. October has been a full and creative month.