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Sr. Dougherty
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Dear EOL school community,
All of the students have wonderful voices and it is a joy to listen to them request certain "warm-up" songs at the beginning of class. Top favorites include "Twang That Thang" (a song about Elvis), "Lunch", "On the Bus", "Agents of Change", "Stand Up, Sit Down", "Nature Baby", "Spicy Hot", and "Jelly Bean Blues". Invite your children to sing for you sometime - they really are quite good:-)
The 5th through 8th Grades have concluded their review of rhythmic notation - all those wonderful notes, rests, and patterns that they see in piano books, guitar books, hymnals, etc. The students did very well in remembering note/rest values and in their ability to count out rhythm patterns with various time signatures -ie. 3/4, 2/4, 3/8, 4/2, 6/8. I was pleasantly surprised:-) Rhythm is a wonderful integration of math and problems solving skills. Once they get it, I get comments such as, "This is so easy!!". My hope is that this theory work will carry over into their recorder playing and other outside voice/instrument work so that they can experience more success and enjoyment in their music commitments.
For the remainder of the school year, the 7th & 8th grades will look at music from the 1970's, 1980's, and the 1990's.
They will also view "Singin' in the Rain" during the month of May. This movie is a good example for showing the students how silent movies moved into talking movies and the important role that music has in the movies.
The 5th and 6th grades have begun a unit on composers. They are learning about important composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn & Beethoven. I found out that the students have several projects due at the same time, so I have assigned their composer projects. The projects are due on April 28th (grade 6) and April 30th (grade 5). In-between the acts, they are working on their recorder skills and doing quite well.
Students in Grades 1-4 continue to learn about all different aspects of music from rhythm and form to counting patterns and identifying which way the melody is moving. It is wonderful to watch them learn and listen to them sing. They have beautiful voices and are able to find and sing "do" on pitch which is a great gift. They also are learning how to use the Kodaly hand signals which helps in determining direction of notes and their ability to find and sing the right pitches.
The children in the Pre-K and Kindergarten are a delight to have in class. They are quite used to having another teacher in their lives and come in to the music room with much energy and excitement. They are learning many music concepts as well - they just don't know it:-) They, too, often ask to do certain songs or word plays such as "Five Happy Snowmen" or "Five Little Hot Dogs". We have a good time together:-)
Students in Grades 4-8 are tested on different music skills. They need to have these tests signed and returned the next day. I will collect them from the teachers the next day I am here unless they are placed in my mailbox. Students may hand in a note if they lose the test. Parents/guardians must acknowledge that the test was lost and what the grade was.
Please be advised that students in Grades 4-8 receive marks in music class according to the Archdiocesan Rubric System of 1-4 (4 is the highest). Report card marks include test scores, class participation, projects, etc.
I am happy to be here making/celebrating music this year with you and your children.
Happy Springtime:-)
Sr. Regina R. Dougherty, SSJ
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Special Message(s)
Due dates for composer projects: Grade 6 - Monday, 4/28/08
Grade 5 - Wednesday, 4/30/08. Projects may be typed or handwritten when handed in.
Information regarding the Spring Concert will be posted and sent home at the beginning of May. The Spring Concert will be held on Wednesday afternoon, May 21st, 2008.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE sign and return music tests the NEXT DAY. Too many students are not returning them signed in a timely fashion. If a student should lose a test, a parent or guardian may send in a note as soon as possible saying that the test has been lost and what the grade/score was on the test. If the lost test is found, please send it in immediately.
Recorders MUST come in to school on Mondays or Wednesdays when the 5th to 8th Grades have music. Too many students are leaving them and/or their recorder books at home. I am grateful that they want to practice and get better on the recorder but I need them to bring the recorders and books in so we can play together and sound better:-) THANK YOU!!!
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