MUSIC

The 3rd and 4th graders had a wonderful time exploring some very rich and important material for African-American history month (February).  Their interest in the musical material meant that we extended our studies through March.  We sang partner songs, read very important books relating to The Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, Henry "Box" Brown and even explored real artifacts that were included in the book "Lest We Forget" that included slave auction slips, ship models, freedom papers and a copy of The Emancipation Proclamation.  We sang "The Dream of Martin Luther King" which was a song written by 5th graders in Georgia in response to learning about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

The kids have spent time working on their ensemble piece entitled "Leaves are Falling," which they have spent quite a bit of time with choreographing their own movement pieces to and arranging certain Orff improvisational sections.  We are about to embark on a new Orff ensemble piece entitled "Everybody Loves Saturday Night" which is a song from Nigeria that has a catchy melody, much syncopation and offers a song in three different languages!  in anticipation of our end of year celebration, we are about to start working on some graduation songs to help usher the 6th graders in to the next phase of their middle school years!  The 3rd and 4th graders continue to be a joy to work with!