Large motor movements and fine listening skills are incorporated into primary’s music lessons.  Each class is framed by a greeting song utilizing movement and simple commands. The close of class is also bookend by a consistent song.

This kind of consistency helps young students to grow in their confidence as they hear and experience a familiar process, they know what to do and it helps to increase their participation.

Primary students were introduced to the concepts of pitch and tempo.  Ms. Rachael worked with her students by giving them the tools to distinguish between “high” sounds in comparison to “low” sounds. 

Also sensitizing them to the tempo being fast or slow.  Throughout the class, students have been exploring using their body percussion (clapping and tapping), their singing voices and speaking voices.  Then they have been taught how to use various instruments (shakers, rhythm sticks) and the glockenspiel is a class favorite.

Many of these fundamental themes are also being carried out in elementary classes as Ms. Rachel explores voice, pitch, tempo and instrument playing with all of her students.

Welcome to the new school year!  

I’m so excited to be teaching music this year. Music is the universal language for people of any age group and has always been such an important part of my life. I am so happy to get to share it with the students at FMS. 

In all levels of music class this year, the students will be participating in Active Listening. During active listening, we spend a few minutes of each class, simply listening quietly to music. Active listening is important, not only to develop a good musical ear, but also to build skills in concentration. It also helps us to better understand music. When we listen, we are asking ourselves the following questions: 

1. How does it make you feel?
2. What instruments do you hear? How many instruments are playing? 
3. Is the song fast or slow?
4. What is the melody?
5. What is the time signature?