MUSIC

We have had a wonderful time being inspired by a variety of musical material.  Specifically, the kids have been learning about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.  We have spent quite a bit of time learning songs that have African-American roots, such as the old spiritual "Free at Last" as well as lighthearted singing games such as "Down in the Valley," and "Pour me a Bucket of Water."

We have also been exploring songs about LOVE!  We talk about what love means to each of us.  We all agree that we need love which leads us to conversations about the differences between our "needs" and our "wants."  We are learning the tune "All I Really Need" by Raffi which explores the idea that what we all really NEED is food, love in our family and a song in our heart.  The children are mastering the sign language that accompanies the song.  We have also had a lot of fun with the song "There's a Little Wheel A-Turnin' in My Heart."  The kids make up their own verses and we had a blast dancing this song with the parachute as well.

The kids are continuing to learn a Spanish folk song called "La Mariposa" on their Orff instruments.  They have figured out by ear most of the melody of the song.  I put them to the task of figuring out portions of the melody on the Orff instruments by giving them "mystery notes."  I will give them the first few letter names of the melody and they then have to sing the next portion of the song, and try to figure out which pitch on the Orff matches the pitch their voices are singing.  They then share with the class what the "mystery notes" are and before I know it, a majority of the melody has been digested by them!  This song is in a pentatonic mode, and therefore only has 5 notes in the melody, so is very age appropriate.