MUSIC

The kindergartners and 1st graders have been simply delightful to have in music class!  We have been singing, dancing, engaging is simple circle games, moving and tuning our ears to Halloween and fall inspired music.

The kids have done some fun name games and "mixers" where the children become more comfortable with the concept of dancing, moving and singing all together.  We have even danced with a parachute and the kids loved it and asked to do it again and again, always a good sign!  We have been singing the song "Monster Day" which involves all sort of fun dance interpretations of how monsters move (fast, slow, silly, angry, shy, etc.).  We talked extensively of what it would be like to put ourselves into a monster's metaphorical shoes.  The kids had all sorts of creative and compassionate answers, such as, "I'd feel embarrassed and would hope someone would play with me."  We then, of course, segued into how to help a friend at school feel included and supported.

We are exploring a fun game called "Pumpkin Patch."  After the kids learn the rhyme they will then pat/clap it in a variety of ways, internalizing the chant.  We will then start putting the rhyme onto Orff instruments (the barred xylophones and metallophones).  Our goal is to compose a class melody and all learn how to play it on Orff instruments.

The children have listened to some Halloween inspired classical music.  They have danced with beautiful scarves as they listened to "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff and "Aquarium" by Camille Saint-Saens.  We talked about different images and feelings that the music evoked.  

The kids are learning how to sing the song, "Peace Like A River" accompanied by sign language. Please come visit us or drop-in anytime! 

Elemental music is never just music. It's bound up with movement, dance and speech, and so it is a form of music in which one must participate, in which one is involved not as a listener but as a co-performer.  --Carl Orff