Hop Old Squirrel

We have been busy in 4K learning about our singing voice, the steady beat, and rhythm (the pattern of the words.)  We also have started using some instruments when we sing.  Fall is the perfect time to bring out "Hop Old Squirrel" to help us practice these concepts.  This song is an American folk song.  We practiced singing in different groups--the class on one part, Mrs. Krejci on the other part.  Then, we moved our bodies to the different musical sections.  Finally, we put the movements on instruments and all took turns playing the instrument while the class sang.  Our final product is "Hop Old Squirrel" with movements, tubano drums, egg shakers, and voices.  You will find all these displayed in the video below.  And, if you look closely, you just might spot our puppet friend, Mr. Squirrel, that helped us learn the song!  

Wee Vikings

A highlight of my week is visiting the 3K students--The Wee Vikings--in the Kindergarten building.  We are exploring our singing voice and moving our bodies to the music.  These students are full of energy and excited to learn!  One of their favorite songs is called "Jump Jim Joe."  Jim is a feisty fellow who has us moving in all kinds of ways to the music.  

Cover Design Contest Details

Check out the 1st grade and 2nd grade tabs at the top of the page for a cover design contest just for those grade levels!  I've asked 1st and 2nd graders to get their creative juices flowing to come up with a design for the program booklet for our Christmas performance called "Children of Bethlehem."  

Mrs. Krejci

Music Class News!

Hello, FPD Family!  I wanted to give you a quick update of things to look for on the blog.  First of all, a new addition on the right hand column of the Home page allows you to sign up to follow this blog via email.  Simply enter your email address in the box provided, and you will be emailed when the blog is updated!  

By the end of the week I will have videos up of the 3K class and a 4K class making music.  These little ones are great musicians and are a blast to watch!

Also, soon I will post news regarding the Christmas Program for various grade levels!  Of specific interest to 1st and 2nd graders, there will be a Cover Design Competition for the program handed out.  Watch for those details to be up in the next few days. 

As always, I love teaching your children!  They are a joy to be with during the day. 

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Krejci

Welcome to Mrs. Krejci's Music Room!

Welcome to the FPD music room blog!  Some of you are new, and for those returners, thanks for stopping by again!  I thought I'd give you a little intro to the content here and how to find it.

Home Page:  Here is where you will find all the posts about the goings-on in the music classes. You'll find videos, pictures, and descriptions of lessons.  I try to rotate the classes that are featured. 

Grade Level Tabs:  The only ones up and active at the moment are 4th grade and 5th grade.  PreK-3rd grade will have information coming soon.  This is where grade level specific information shows up.  Such as: 

• 4th Grade Tab: This is your place for all things recorder!  Come here to find exercises, links, and information about the Recorder Karate workbook

5th Grade Chorus Tab:  This tab is useful for everyone that would like to take a look ahead of time at the songs for the upcoming chapel.  Songs are posted as YouTube video links.  (Note: sometimes there are commercials before the videos that I have no control over.)  

Etc. Tab:  Come here for the "extra scoop" on the music room and Mrs. Krejci.  Here you will find Mrs. Krejci's bio, a list of our wants/needs for the music room, and other fun things!  Currently, there is the first part of post on how to make a yarn ball.  We use a yarn ball in the music room as a prop for lots of games, and it is surprisingly easy for students to make them at home with a little bit of parental help.  Be on the look out for the culmination of this post (as soon as I finish the one I'm working on so I can take the rest of the pictures!)  

Thank you for taking an interest in the Music Room at FPD!  I'm making it a professional goal this year to keep this blog alive and informative.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  It is truly a pleasure to create music with your children at FPD!

Mindy Krejci 

Earning the White Belt

I am so impressed with the way the fourth graders have taken off with their recorders!  We started recorder about 6 weeks ago, and we are making substantial progress.  (So much so, there will be a recorder feature in the Christmas Program!).  I tell the students, we are not just learning to copy a pattern, but we are learning to read music at the same time as learning a new instrument.  Their brains are in overdrive,  but they maintain their enthusiasm!  With our workbook, Recorder Karate, the students work on a song until they are ready to test for a belt.  When they are ready, they play for me individually.  If they play with minimal mistakes, they receive a belt for their recorders!  As a group, we have been working especially hard on the White and Yellows belts in class.  The white belt song is "Hot Cross Buns."  Below is a video of a fourth grader class masterfully playing this song!  

Down to the Baker's Shop

First grade is just beginning the fun process of adding instruments to our their singing.  They are a great example of how the Orff-Schulwerk method approaches learning music.  First, we learn the song, then we add in movements with our bodies, and finally we transfer the movements to different instruments.  By doing this, the song is ingrained in our minds and bodies, reaching all different types of learners.  And, of course, the real fun for the kids comes when they get the chance to play the instruments to accompany the singing!  Just like the older kids, the first graders all learned every part and had a chance to play every part.  Here is one class's rendition of "Down to the Baker's Shop."  The students standing on the risers are demonstrating the body movements that got transferred to the instrument parts.