The 4th grade classes are getting back into the swing of things with our recorders after a little break to focus on some other units. As we learn more pitches, some of us were having trouble with our technique and were experiencing some "squeaks." One class, frustrated by this setback, asked to see some examples of good recorder playing. I was so pleased that these young musicians want to see what is out there, what there is to aspire to. So, here are just a few examples that I found with a very quick search, but there are SO many examples and resources out there, kiddos! Explore and find something that you want to learn to play! (I think a "student's choice" assignment might be in our future!)
5 Baroque Pieces for Soprano Recorder
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (from The Lion King)
Let It Go (from Frozen) - this video has fingering charts so you can learn to play it
Showing posts with label 4th Grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4th Grade. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Center Time for 4th Grade
4th graders are spending some time in learning centers. This purpose of these centers is to give students an opportunity to review concepts we've learned in music and apply them in a number of ways- through reading, writing, listening, and playing.
In this round of centers, our 4th graders have been working on pentatonic pitches (do, re, mi, so, la, and low la), and eighth-sixteenth note rhythm combinations.
In our red center, students are playing SMART Board games to practice visually and aurally identify melodic patterns.
In the green center, students are identifying and writing melodic patterns including low la, do, re, and mi.
In the blue center, students are being introduced to the iPods and the listening center process with an iPod "scavenger hunt."
In the purple center, students are playing a musical version of the game "Don't Break the Ice." The only difference between the real game and our musical version is that the ice cubes have quarter, eighth, and sixteenth note rhythms written on them, and students have to read the rhythm before they tap out an ice cube.
In the yellow center, students are improvising a pentatonic melody set to a rhythm that they have written. You may see their "Fruit Rhythm" papers coming home soon!
And finally, in our new orange iPad center, students are playing a rhythm game called "Rhythm Cat" (this is a free app available on the iTunes store!). Students have to "play" a rhythm along with an accompaniment track.
*For Music Teachers: Check out Aileen Miracle's TPT store for some great resources for centers. I used some materials from her Songs and Activities to Teach Low La set in these centers.
In this round of centers, our 4th graders have been working on pentatonic pitches (do, re, mi, so, la, and low la), and eighth-sixteenth note rhythm combinations.
In our red center, students are playing SMART Board games to practice visually and aurally identify melodic patterns.
In the green center, students are identifying and writing melodic patterns including low la, do, re, and mi.
In the blue center, students are being introduced to the iPods and the listening center process with an iPod "scavenger hunt."
In the purple center, students are playing a musical version of the game "Don't Break the Ice." The only difference between the real game and our musical version is that the ice cubes have quarter, eighth, and sixteenth note rhythms written on them, and students have to read the rhythm before they tap out an ice cube.
In the yellow center, students are improvising a pentatonic melody set to a rhythm that they have written. You may see their "Fruit Rhythm" papers coming home soon!
And finally, in our new orange iPad center, students are playing a rhythm game called "Rhythm Cat" (this is a free app available on the iTunes store!). Students have to "play" a rhythm along with an accompaniment track.
*For Music Teachers: Check out Aileen Miracle's TPT store for some great resources for centers. I used some materials from her Songs and Activities to Teach Low La set in these centers.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
4th Grade wishes you a Thrilling Halloween!
4th grade has been learning about ways to structure a song, called "form." We mapped the form of a familiar Halloween song using index cards, and then, since we just can't sit still when we hear this song, we mapped the form using choreography as well! Enjoy our in-class performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Click on the links below to view.
4J- AM
4J- PM
*Music teachers, this activity can be found at mrskingrocks.blogspot.com- a GREAT resource for music teachers!
4J- AM
4J- PM
*Music teachers, this activity can be found at mrskingrocks.blogspot.com- a GREAT resource for music teachers!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Recorder Karate Green Belts!
4th grade is cruising right along in their Recorder Karate quest! We've been working on a new pitch, low E, and we're in the process of earning our highly coveted Green Belts! Mr. Wittenberg's class completed this task today, and here is a video of everyone playing their Green Belt testing song, "Boat Song," together!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Lyric Opera Field Trip!
I've been a very absent blogger lately- I apologize! I wanted to share details of our recent 4th grade field trip to the Lyric Opera of Chicago! We spent several weeks studying opera in music class (types of voices, types of performances, opera history, and we even watched an operetta, "The Pirates of Penzance").
After learning about all of the backstage workings of an opera and other stage performances, we took a trip to the Civic Opera House in downtown Chicago, which houses the Lyric Opera of Chicago. We saw the auditorium, the costume department, the wig and makeup department, the props department, the catwalk, dressing rooms, practice rooms, and so much more! Rather than tell you about it, I'll share pictures. Thanks to my photographer, Kaitlyn!
After learning about all of the backstage workings of an opera and other stage performances, we took a trip to the Civic Opera House in downtown Chicago, which houses the Lyric Opera of Chicago. We saw the auditorium, the costume department, the wig and makeup department, the props department, the catwalk, dressing rooms, practice rooms, and so much more! Rather than tell you about it, I'll share pictures. Thanks to my photographer, Kaitlyn!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
4th Grade February Recap: Chords and Ballads
4th grade has been quite busy! We've been exploring several different musical topics and they've been intersecting in different ways!
We learned about how to build chords. A chord is a combination of 2 or more notes being played at the same time. We have learned how to build triads (1-3-5) based on chord symbols, and played chords on Boomwhackers and bass bars along with the song "Love Somebody" (which also taught us about the pitch "fa"). Soon, we'll be learning about I-V chord progressions.
We have also been doing some cross-curricular learning about ballads. 4th grade has been learning about ballads with their classroom teachers, so this seemed like a natural point of integration because ballads can be poems or songs! We read The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell. We then listened to Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," identified chord changes, and then built and played chordal accompaniment along with the song.
That's just a bit of what we've been up to! We've also been continuing our learning about opera, so stay tuned for information about our study of both opera seria and opera buffa!
We learned about how to build chords. A chord is a combination of 2 or more notes being played at the same time. We have learned how to build triads (1-3-5) based on chord symbols, and played chords on Boomwhackers and bass bars along with the song "Love Somebody" (which also taught us about the pitch "fa"). Soon, we'll be learning about I-V chord progressions.
We have also been doing some cross-curricular learning about ballads. 4th grade has been learning about ballads with their classroom teachers, so this seemed like a natural point of integration because ballads can be poems or songs! We read The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell. We then listened to Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," identified chord changes, and then built and played chordal accompaniment along with the song.
That's just a bit of what we've been up to! We've also been continuing our learning about opera, so stay tuned for information about our study of both opera seria and opera buffa!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Centers in full swing!
Students in 1st through 4th grade music classes are rotating through musical centers during the month of December. Each center is designed to allow students to explore musical concepts through different means, whether it be by writing, reading, playing, or listening.
We'll start with 4th grade.
The first activity is a music & math activity called "Snowflake Shootout" on the SMART Board, in which students work to identify rhythmic notation and their values.
Next, students travel to the "Jug Band" performance station, where they perform rhythms they have previously written on the xylophone. Their rhythm compositions include quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and eighth-sixteenth combinations.
In the listening center, students are using iPods to listen to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker. After listening to the song and following key elements of the music on a listening map, students complete a listening log about what they heard.
Have you ever played "Don't Break the Ice?" We have! We're playing a musical version of the game, in which rhythms are written on the ice cubes. Before knocking out a cube, students have to read the rhythm in the row. After knocking it out, students replace that rhythm with a rest.
And finally, recorders are back. Students are reviewing the notes B, A, and G on the recorders in several written exercises. Soon, we'll be improvising our own B-A-G melodies.
We'll start with 4th grade.
The first activity is a music & math activity called "Snowflake Shootout" on the SMART Board, in which students work to identify rhythmic notation and their values.
Next, students travel to the "Jug Band" performance station, where they perform rhythms they have previously written on the xylophone. Their rhythm compositions include quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and eighth-sixteenth combinations.
In the listening center, students are using iPods to listen to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker. After listening to the song and following key elements of the music on a listening map, students complete a listening log about what they heard.
Have you ever played "Don't Break the Ice?" We have! We're playing a musical version of the game, in which rhythms are written on the ice cubes. Before knocking out a cube, students have to read the rhythm in the row. After knocking it out, students replace that rhythm with a rest.
And finally, recorders are back. Students are reviewing the notes B, A, and G on the recorders in several written exercises. Soon, we'll be improvising our own B-A-G melodies.
Chorus Sings with the Chicago Steel!
On Saturday, December 8th, members of the D41 chorus performed the National Anthem at the Chicago Steel hockey game at The Edge Ice Arena. It was a great night out for many chorus families (and their music teachers)! Thanks to those who were able to make it! Hope you had fun!
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