This week we have been exploring ways in which music helps tell story. Students have experienced Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" discovering how the instruments used in the piece help tell the story of a sleigh ride. We then collaborated to create an arrangement of "Jingle Bells" that helped enhance its story. Below is the recording of "Sleigh Ride" we investigated. In the recording, you will be able to hear temple blocks making the sound of horses hooves, a slapstick making the sound of the whip, and a fun , jazzy trombone lick toward the end (as well as a trumpet neighing like a horse!). Hand your kids some bells (or pots and pans!) and invite them to show you steady beat while you're listening
We are also enjoying the talents of a special guest. Mrs. Essmiller's daughter, Kennedy, is spending some time in the music classroom while home on college break. This week she has demonstrated bass guitar, and provided live accompaniment for Mrs. Pennock's class as they sang their original blues composition, "Mrs. Pennock's Class Blues".
Mrs. Pollock's PreK class opted to orchestrate the song "Jingle Bells" with ukelele, electric bass, vocalists, and, of course, jingle bells!
We listened to a reading of "The Nutcracker", and discovered that Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky had written a piece of music which helped tell that story! Students used body percussion to identify form in music as they listened to the recording below of "March of the Toy Soldiers" from The Nutcracker Ballet. Have your kids show you!
Even wound up and excited for winter break, we are managing to accomplish much as we explore story and form in music. Just for fun, we've treated ourselves to the Pentatonix tune found below. Enjoy!
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CG Elementary students are participating this week in the Hour of Code, a broad initiative designed to expose students of all ages to computer programming. The step-by-step, "what happens next", type of thinking required for computer programming is similar to that required for creating music. The older kids practiced coding with the "Moana" and "Minecraft" tutorials, while the younger ones experienced "Find the Puppy" and an unplugged tutorial in which they helped the Flurb find the Fruit. They all caught on quickly! They will be great creators. Follow the links below and have your students show you how great they are at this!
"Moana" Coding tutorial "Puppy Adventure" |
#CGRocksCome see the world through the eyes of Council Grove Elementary Students! Archives
January 2017
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