MUSIC
December was a very productive month for our 2nd grade musicians! We were inspired by the changing of the seasons and took on a piece entitled "Leaves are Falling." The kids first learned how to sing the song as a whole group. I then had the kids break into small groups and choreograph a dance piece using ribbons and scarves with their peers. The kids worked very well in small groups and had practice sharing their ideas with the rest of the group in a way that they felt heard and included. Everyone had a chance to have at least one of their choreography ideas featured. The kids then performed their choreographed pieces for the rest of the class while the observing portion of the class sang the song for the dancers. All groups gave as well as received positive feedback and constructive criticism of their dance pieces.
During the month of December, we read the story of The Nutcracker and listened to the musical selections while participating in some guided movement. You know it's a good sign when kids excitedly say, "Can we please do that one more time?"
The kids have taken on a new Orff piece - "Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?" This piece is super catchy. It is based off of a chant, but we have set a jazzy bass line to it on the Orff instruments. Matt has been playing drumset and I play piano while the kids chant and play Orff instruments at the same time. The kids have learned also learned a very catchy riff on the Orff instruments that happens in the middle of the song. Students are learning about the concept of form, phrasing and learning to anticipate the beginnings and ending of musical phrases. The next step we will take in this piece is to encourage 8-beat solos in the "a pentatonic minor" scale.
In honor of African-American history month, January and February will be spent exploring the rich array of musical material that has supported everything from the transport of slaves via the Underground Railroad, to the songs that inspired millions in the Civil Rights era. We will be learning singing games such as "Down in the Valley" and "Pour me a Bucket of Water" as well as hand jive games such as "Juba" and attempting to sing "partner songs." Partner songs are when the kids sing 2 or more different songs at the same time - in this instance it will be 3 songs - "This Train," "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." As we learn songs and musical material, I enjoy reading books to the children that are pertinent to deepening their understanding of this important part of our American history. Some books we will be touching upon include, "This is the Dream" by Diane Shore and Jessica Alexander, "Rosa" by Nikki Giovanni, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeanette Winter and "Jazz on a Saturday Night" by Leo and Diane Dillion.