Kindergarten through Fifth grade students have been getting into the Christmas spirit by listening to selections from The Nutcracker, singing through Christmas carol picture books and listening to Christmas carol music boxes.

Kindergarten students have been exploring the different sounds their voices can make using props like slide whistles and pictures of shapes.  They are also practicing listening for high and low sounds and keeping a steady beat.  Two of their favorite games are Lucy Locket and Apple Tree.

First and Second grade students have practiced keeping the steady beat using rhythm sticks and shoes.  They have had many opportunities to sing with each other and by themselves.  Two of their favorite games are Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe and Doggie, Doggie, Where's Your Bone?

Third, Fourth and Fifth grade students are practicing recorder songs that use the notes B,A,G and E.  They are working on reading and writing notes on the staff and learning musical symbols like the repeat sign and treble clef.  New recorder songs they have learned include Closet Key and Rain, Rain, Go Away.

Eighth Grade students are finishing a research project on Christmas songs and carols.  Students chose two different songs and found information such as composer, date the songs were written, country of origin and an interesting fact about each song. Then they compared and contrasted their chosen songs.  Projects included comparisons of Jingle Bell Rock and O Holy Night, What Child is This and Jingle Bells, and Joy to the World and Jingle Bell Rock.

I have just finished my fourth week at ACS, and it has been a joy to get to the know the staff and students.  The music room is a busy place, especially with the upcoming musical. (You can read more details about that in another post.)  Besides preparations for the big day, each class has been doing other activities.  

Kindergarten students have learned new songs and games and have had several opportunities to practice using their singing voices in a group and individually.  They are also practicing keeping a steady beat while listening to music.  We have enjoyed many books: Fireman Small, One Little Two Little Three Little Apples, America the Beautiful, 10 Fat Turkeys and The Turkey Ball.

First and Second Grade students have also practiced keeping a steady beat and have learned new songs and games. They have had several opportunities to practice using their singing voices in a group and individually, as well.  We have enjoyed singing the books America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land and I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie.

Third through Fifth Grade students have been busy working with their recorders.  Music is on Mondays and Wednesdays, so students need to bring their recorders on those days.  (We are taking a short break from recorders to focus on putting the finishing touches on the musical, but we will resume recorders on Wednesday, December 3rd.)  Students have played the following songs with the notes B, A, and G:  Merrily We Roll Along, Pierrot, Lullaby and Hot Cross Buns.  They are also practicing reading the notes from the lines and spaces of the staff.

In addition to working hard on their songs and parts for the musical, Middle School students work together to choose songs for chapel that correspond with the monthly theme.  On Wednesdays we set up the chapel space, rehearse chapel selections and prepare to lead students in the worship time.  The middle school students take turns leading chapel throughout the semester.

A special thing that I like to do at the end of each elementary class is to play a music box for the week.  One student each class period plays the music box, which is our lining up music.  Ask your child to share a song, game or story with you that they are learning in Music.