I am going to leave the address on this web page for an informative site that I came across.  The address is http://momshomeroom.msn.com.  The video entitled, "A Musical Mind", tells how important the study of music is to a child's academic and social development. 

First and second graders have been learning to identify quarter notes, barred eighth notes and quarter rests.  We have special ways to clap each of them.  The children have even been able to clap several rhythm patterns using a combination of these three.   

Third graders have been learning to count and play rhythm patterns using quarter notes and rests, barred eighth notes, half notes and whole notes.  They are steadily improving their flutophone tone!

Fourth and fifth graders are consistently reviewing all the note and rest values, as well as the other musical terms and signs that they have been introduced to over the last two years.  Fourth graders are learning and fifth graders are reviewing how to read and play 1st and 2nd endings in their flutophone music.  Fifth graders have even learned how to follow the music when they must play DS al Coda.

One of the most fun things that the second, fourth and fifth graders have done since watching the Sesame Street Stomp video is to make their own instruments.  Many found simple things in their environment that would keep a steady beat (stapler, two erasers banged together, etc.) and several really put a lot of thought into making their instrument.  A second grader made a "Jug-a-tar" using a gallon milk jug.  His instrument had strings and an attachment that kept the steady beat as the strings were plucked (a Pez candy dispenser).  A fourth grader made a "Tay-bot drum" using two bottles, tape and a cup.  One of our fifth graders (who forgot the assignment) was not to be left behind.  He "played" one of his classmates and the class discovered that different parts of the body make different sounds!  One of my favorite responses when I asked the children what they had learned from the assignment was, "I learned that instruments are really fun!" 

Musically Yours,

   Mrs. Shepard    

 4/20/12