Aaron Copland  (1900-1990)

     Arts Report Cards went home this month, summarizing results from the first semester.  The themes of winter along with "Action and Alertness" from  Inch and Miles The Journey To Success by Coach John Wooden will frame our musical practices for the month of February. Students of all grade levels will begin searching their repertoire for favorites of this year to share in  March for "Music In Our Schools Month" Celebrations.  Plans for these celebrations will evolve this month.

      Each week features a new piece for listening, analysis, brief discussion and exposure to music history facts.  This month, students will hear Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk" and John Philip Sousa's "Washington Post March."  Students will play 4/4  rhythm patterns on drums and accompany the music through impovisational movement.  It is always fun to see results that come from student participation and music vocabulary usage in class!  

    Your students have one music class each week for 45 minutes (30 for Kindergarten).  Lessons are designed to draw students out through physical activity and are based on full student participation through discussion and music making together.  Knowledge processed through physical movement and student discussion ensures high retention and improved confidence in all students. Skills spiral forward by grade level, always building on prior knowledge and experience to provide a strong foundation for understanding and practice.

     Students of all grade levels will regularly be singing, dancing, playing and reading in the Music Room.  There is a strong sense of ensemble built into each class with the intention of building our learning community through the language of music.  Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will play the soprano recorder and benefit greatly by at-home practice.  Some students play very little on their own while others are motivated to practice more frequently.  Just as each has a natural pace and scope for learning, please encourage your budding musicians!

  Thank you for visiting this page and please return often.  I'll be adding new things as time allows for parents and children alike to read and try.