MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Music grades for all students will be based upon each student's mastery of music curriculum goals for his or her grade level. For your information, specific curriculum goals for each grade level are posted in the curriculum section of this web site.
We will talk about progress towards learning each new skills or concept with the following terms:
BEGINNING to learn - this is where most students
start the learning process. Students will say
"I don't get it!"
PROGRESSING towards Mastery - this is where the student
sometimes demonstrates mastery, but still needs teacher support. Students will say,
"I get it sometimes with teacher help."
APPROACHING Mastery - now the student can
usually demonstrate mastery of the goal. Students will say
"I almost got it by myself."
SECURE in Mastery - this is the final step where the student
consistently demonstrates mastery of the goal. Students will say
"I got it and can use it!"
Report card grades will reflect each student's mastery level of the curriculum goals at the
end of each quarter.
KINDERGARTEN
We will be learning about the elements of music in music class by singing, playing instruments,, and moving our bodies. We will be singing songs from around the world, as well as playing lots of traditional American singing games.
GRADES 1 - 3
We will be exploring music from around the world through singing, moving, listening, and playing classroom instruments. Students explore all of the elements of music in age appropriate ways. Congratulations to these students on a wonderful performance of their Advent Concert in December!
GRADES 4 - 5
We will be learning about the elements of music (Form, Dynamics, Tempo, Pitch, Harmony, Rhythm, Melody and Meter) through singing, listening, movement, and making music on our classroom instruments.
Congratulations to the 4th & 5th Graders on their performance of "Gotta Be Jazz!" Everyone did a great job, and the concert was very well received!
These students are beginning to play the recorder in music class. Recorders and books have been ordered and distributed. If your child did not order a recorder and/or book and is still in need of these items, please email Mrs. Vangel as soon as possible for information on how to order these items on your own. Students are expected to have their recorders and books for every music class from now until the end of the school year. When a student does not have his/her recorder at music class, 2 points will be deducted from the student's grade.
GRADE 6
6th Graders will be learning about the periods of music history: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century. They will study composers, musical styles and instrumentations. Using the elements of music as their guide, they will listen to and analyze music from all of these periods of history.
Both 6th Grade classes have just completed studying music and composers from the Classical period, featuring music by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. We went to Powell Symphony Hall on Wednesday, March 7th to hear a concert by PROJECT Trio, entitled "Beethoven and the Boys." Be sure to ask your favorite 6th Grader what he or she thought of the concert.
We will begin studying the Romantic Era of music hisotry after spring break. We will learn about the lives and music of Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky.
GRADES 7 - 8
7th and 8th Graders are hard at work on their upcoming production of "Aladdin, Jr." This is a student led production with students in charge of all aspects of the show. Students in the cast are rehearsing during their Studio Days music classes and at lunch recess. The Design and Costumes Crew is working on scenery, props and costumes during their Studio Days art classes. We also have Production Assistants, Choreographers, Sound Crew, Lighting Crew and Communications Crew busily preparing for the show. Mark your calendars for Friday, April 27th and plan to come and see "Aladdin, Jr."!