Rhythm, tempo and composing measures are some of the curriculum themes for first grade music class in the month of January.  

Rhythm is the pattern of music in time.  Hearing rhythm and keeping a steady beat are skills that are nurtured and developed in Music class.  Hand clapping, using rhythm sticks, and bouncing a ball in time are several ways that student’s experience rhythm. 

First graders are also working on dynamics and tempo, as cats and mice, in the song The Old Gray Cats are Sleeping.  Tempo is measured as the number of beats per minute, and the students learned to sense the tempo when they were asked to be a cat, which sings the song loudly while the mice lower the tempo and volume as they sing the same song quieter.

Progress is being made by students, as Ms. Rachel and Ms. Kim are preparing for the upcoming production of “The Lion King.”  Look for announcements for the performance to be done at the end of March.