Students at Ethridge have the opportunity to learn music in a very creative and exciting way. Over the summer I attended a workshop about a program called Quaver's. It uses technology, composing, imagination and reaches the 21st century learner. As a result of the workshop, we were given $1500 of materials to use in the classroom as well as online access.
Students were given online access in music class by entering a username and password. No emails were attached to their accounts and the site is incredibly safe.
Once on the site, students can access many games, activities and fun learning tools.
Check it out! Go to the tab on this blog "Quaver's" for even more information.
www.quavermusic.com
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Words of Advice
Fourth and Fifth grade students have been working on a poem from books by Kriske and Delelles. The poem is "Words of Advice." It is a great limerick with a great lesson: "No matter what life throws your way, take what you've been given and make it into something better."
This past week we moved the xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels into a large circle in the room. Each instrument was assigned a part. Students were chosen to decide which instrument played which part of the poem. We then rotated the entire circle and students were then having to remember which instrument they were playing and what part went with that instrument. May not sound that difficult, but when you're rotating regularly and quickly, your brain is forced to think through many things at one time.
To rotate, we used a simple phrase that I believe I learned by Artie Almeida:
1-2-3-4 mallets down get off the floor
5-6-7-8 hurry don't be late
As we spoke this poem, students moved from one instrument to the other seamlessly. No time is wasted getting them around and they are speaking the poem which keeps unnecessary talking from happening. (I love great transitions!)
It was great to watch students perform the parts and have the opportunity to play every instrument!
This past week we moved the xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels into a large circle in the room. Each instrument was assigned a part. Students were chosen to decide which instrument played which part of the poem. We then rotated the entire circle and students were then having to remember which instrument they were playing and what part went with that instrument. May not sound that difficult, but when you're rotating regularly and quickly, your brain is forced to think through many things at one time.
To rotate, we used a simple phrase that I believe I learned by Artie Almeida:
1-2-3-4 mallets down get off the floor
5-6-7-8 hurry don't be late
As we spoke this poem, students moved from one instrument to the other seamlessly. No time is wasted getting them around and they are speaking the poem which keeps unnecessary talking from happening. (I love great transitions!)
It was great to watch students perform the parts and have the opportunity to play every instrument!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Bringing in the New Year
Throughout our crazy holiday season of performances and events, I found I did not blog. Which I'm disappointed in myself for. I'll have to recount all that happened and post some videos and pictures along the way as we had a fantastic season and lots of great learning moments!
I'm excited about 2014. After two weeks off, I'm ready to return to teach students and energized to teach what is one of my favorite times of the year. I love every season for what it brings. This winter season from January through March is wonderful because students are often the most settled, the most ready and eager to learn and I keep my heaviest content to teach for these months which I always get excited about. It is wonderful to teach. And truly teach.
The beginning of the year is about setting the standards in the classroom. Expectations, the 'how to's' and structure. This is retaught throughout the year, but is a huge necessity at the beginning.
Around October, it is time to prep students for their performances on-stage. November is a mixture of rhythm learning, instruments and performances. December is a non-stop busy season. Teachers and students alike hit their need for a deep breath and refocus. Which is the blessing of our two weeks off.
It is always exciting to see students after they have had time to be at home. I love that everything starts fresh. That there is much to learn and teach.
So bring on the New Year!! It's going to be a great one!
I'm excited about 2014. After two weeks off, I'm ready to return to teach students and energized to teach what is one of my favorite times of the year. I love every season for what it brings. This winter season from January through March is wonderful because students are often the most settled, the most ready and eager to learn and I keep my heaviest content to teach for these months which I always get excited about. It is wonderful to teach. And truly teach.
The beginning of the year is about setting the standards in the classroom. Expectations, the 'how to's' and structure. This is retaught throughout the year, but is a huge necessity at the beginning.
Around October, it is time to prep students for their performances on-stage. November is a mixture of rhythm learning, instruments and performances. December is a non-stop busy season. Teachers and students alike hit their need for a deep breath and refocus. Which is the blessing of our two weeks off.
It is always exciting to see students after they have had time to be at home. I love that everything starts fresh. That there is much to learn and teach.
So bring on the New Year!! It's going to be a great one!
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