This week will be full of excitement and activity as the Homecoming game approaches on Friday, and the pride and spirit emanate from the staff here in Baraboo!
One thing that is happening at both Gordon L. Willson and North Freedom Elementaries, is the final step in our school song process. We have been working very hard for the past two weeks – rhyming words, developing logical sentences, and piecing them together – to make each school their very own school song. Since it is Homecoming week, we hope to put the finishing touches on our song and make it just right so that we may teach it to those around us. Each grade in the school will be listening to it in music class, and we hope to have a time where our 5th graders can show off their hard work. GLW and North Freedom have a lot of pride, and their songs really show it off!
Other happenings in the music classroom tie into some of the amazing opportunities that our students have this semester. Fourth grade students will be venturing to the Madison Symphony Orchestra on the Tuesday prior to our Thanksgiving Break (Tuesday, November 24th, 2009). Though this seems a ways away—it is fast approaching! Our first month in school has flown by, so it is time to start learning about the symphony, and all the people, instruments, and music involved! This unit is very exciting and one of the most enjoyable things for our 4th graders to experience. Just last week, we were introduced to all of the families in the orchestra (string, brass, woodwind, and percussion), along with the VIP’s in the orchestra – The Conductor (AKA Maestro), and the Concertmaster. Each week we will take a closer look at the string instruments in the orchestra, as the strings are the instrument family that make the orchestra unique! This week we are learning about the smallest of the strings – the violin and viola. One of the Computer Lab assistants here @ GLW is a fabulous violinist, and will be coming into our classroom near the end of the week to show us her two violins and play small pieces for us to see. It’s a great time for us to practice our audience skills and ask her questions about the higher stringed instruments! Another thing for fourth grade parents/students to check out together is the page on my website marked “Musical Links.” From there, there will be links that I have posted specifically for fourth graders going to the MSO this fall. On days that we have time with the SmartBoard, I hope to spend time on these sites, but please explore them at home, as well!
Another trip happening in the very near future is with our Kindergarteners! They will be going on a day trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, so we have been learning many songs and games about these plants. Our games will help us become more familiar with the numbers 1 – 10, as we will use a ton of counting apple & pumpkin games. As these plants become ready for harvest, we are also seeing the beginning of the fall season. Fall comes under other names, like autumn, so we will be talking about the leaves changing, squirrels scurrying around, and acorns being collected. All fun things happening in the world around us during the fall season!
This week 1st and 2nd graders will be really focusing their rhythmic skills. At the end of last week, I gave each class a small challenge, and boy did they do well! I hope to see this amazing performance again this week in class as we create more independence with our rhythmic recognition skills. Great job 1st and 2nd grade – I can’t wait to hear how well we do this week!
3rd grade keeps on meeting new people that move onto Farmer Brown’s hills. Last week we met Mr. La, who is now our highest neighbor on the hill. He is also the highest pitch in our voice and highest sign with our hands – be sure you remember where he lives! Last week we also saw the “Music Staff” in class, and began to move our characters’ houses (mainly Mr. Sol & Mr. Mi) onto the staff instead of the hill. We are doing a great job with this and will keep practicing this skill this week. Soon, we will get Mr. La onto the staff, too!
Hope everybody enjoyed a wonderful weekend – see you in class this week. Happy Homecoming! Bring your Thunderbird, Wildcat, and Steam Train spirit this week along with your excitement to learn!
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