Sunshine Days

While we may be experiencing strange winter weather, in the FPD Music Room we are soakin' up the sun and fun of the Caribbean.  We are studying Calypso and Caribbean music for this year's Grandparents' Day programs.  The students are learning that the syncopated rhythms of this music give it a life and groove unlike anything else.  We are adding in lots of percussion to help get that island beat.  Here are a few photos of some classes learning the music. 

Come out to FPD on Friday, March 22nd for our Grandparents' Day Program called "The Vikings of the Caribbean."  It will warm your soul! 

Quaver's Marvelous World of Music

Last week, I was privileged to attend the annual In-service Conference of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA).  I love going to this event every year and learning how to be a better music educator.  I am already using ideas from the various clinicians I heard.  (If you know any 3K-K students ask them about Mrs. Krejci's "poor hand" that won't stop shaking! :) )  

I also was able to attend quite a few session son technology in the music room.  One session in particular was the presentation of a music program I've had my eye on for quite a while.  The program is called Quaver's Marvelous World of Music.  Quaver is a musician who leads kids through all kinds of musical adventures and experiences.  There is a class set of DVDs, which star Quaver.  It is like watching a musical version of Doctor Who, Monty Python, and Bill Nye the Science Guy all rolled into one.  And, they are quality productions.  These DVDs are quick 10-15 minute episodes on music theory, composers, history, instruments, and so forth.  They are meant to come along side what is already happening in my music room. 

However, what really stands out to me about Quaver Music is the interactive components.  Each lesson has a whole host of interactive white board activities, online games, supplemental information, and so forth.  This is truly a great way to bring technology into the elementary music room.  Those elements come with a subscription to Quaver Music.  HOWEVER, there is an amazingly well-done online component that is FREE for kids to use ALL THE TIME!!  Even without a subscription, I can point you to this website for your kids to use to explore music composition, history, note reading, and on and on.  Each child is required to set up a username and password for the site.  An email is required only if your child would like to be emailed an mP3 version of their musical creations.  

Click here to visit the website.  Simply click on the door labeled "Kid's Area" to get started.  Once inside Quaver's studio, there are a variety of activities that kids can choose from
.  

The Quaver Music homepage

And, parents, if you are interested in learning more about Quaver, and viewing some clips from the DVDs, click on the "Parents and Teachers" door.  

And, no, I do not get a dime for promoting Quaver :)  I have just been very impressed with the quality of this company's productions--from an educational standpoint, as well as from a technological integration standpoint.  Again, the Kid's Area is free, educational, and FUN!  What more could a parent or teacher want??  


Mrs. Krejci

Bow Wow Wow

In first grade this month we are starting to accompany ourselves on the Orff instruments.  Students first learn a song, then learn the instrument parts that go with the song.  Each student gets a turn to play every instrument and every part.  In the song, "Bow Wow Wow," students got to play the xylophone, the glockenspiel, and the vibraslap.  Plus, we played a game on top of the music!  Here is a first grade class in action.

Movement and Imagination

The Orff-Schulwerk method stresses the importance of movement as part of a child's music education.  In fact, when I take the Orff Training Courses, we have an hour a day of movement class!  Movement incorporates the elements of play, creating, and expression.  We move to music and also without music.  With Kindergarten and PreKs this month, we have moved with the Russian Dance, "Trepak" from The Nutcracker.  We used scarves to help the students "see" their motions.  

My apologies for the shaky camera--I was using my scarf while filming!

I also found a series of Christmas Movement Flashcards on Pinterest that are wonderful!  (I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to school ideas--thanks, technology!).  Each card features a child-friendly Christmas picture and an instruction for creative movement.  Some of my favorites are "Melt like a Snowman," "Sneak like an Elf," and "Fly like an Angel."  With some classes, we kept the scarves from "Trepak" and used them with our movements.  Since these are so much fun and so easy to use, I'm linking to the blog page with the FREE printout of all the cards.  Use them as a family and see how creative your kids can be! 

 This Kindergarten class is "Spreading their Branches Like a Christmas Tree."

Here is a sample of the awesome movement cards!  And, click here to go to the blog and print out your own set for FREE!  If you scroll to the bottom of the post, she has a link where you can download the whole set.  

Jinglin' with the 3Ks

Merry Christmas from the Wee Vikings!  Visitng the FPD 3K class is a highlight of my week.  They LOVE to sing and make music with the instruments that "Miss Mindy" brings over.  Today, we practiced keeping the steady beat with instruments and singing to "Jingle Bells."  Enjoy!

Christmas Program Countdown

The students in grades 1-5 have been working extremely hard on the Elementary Christmas Program!  This year's program is called Children of Bethlehem.  We have two more days of rehearsals, and then we are live to the world!  There are two performances this coming Thursday, December 13th.  The first performance is at 1pm and the second is at 7pm.  And, this year, the 1pm program is going to be webcast live.  You can direct anyone that would like to watch the webcast to www.fpdmacon.org/webcast. Again, it will begin at 1pm EST this Thursday, December 13th. 

'Tis the Season

I apologize for the lack of an update--Thanksgiving hit, Mr. Krejci and I visited my parents in Colorado, and next thing I know, it's December 3rd!!!  Where does the time go???  

We are busy preparing for the annual Elementary Christmas Program here in music classes.  Next Thursday, December 13th, at 1pm and 7pm, you are invited to come see our Christmas musical, "Children of Bethlehem."  The story is a fictional look at Jesus' birth through the eyes of young children living in Bethlehem the night He is born.  The musical selections include favorites such as "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "We Three Kings," and "The Little Drummer Boy."  Students in grades 1st-5th are all involved!  We have been learning about our singing voices, different instrument techniques that will be featured, and what a great opportunity we have to present the story of Jesus' birth.  May we all--the audience, the children, and me!--be able to pause during this program and come to the manger with a renewed sense of wonder and awe over Emmanuel's birth.  

In an effort to conceal some of our "surprises," I am positing some pictures instead of videos of the kids getting ready.  Hope to see you here!

4th Grade Recorder players and singers working hard

1st graders practicing motions for the Big Finale!