October 2024

October Music Update!

Access recordings of class performances:

• Chester Elementary School
• New Hingham Elementary School
• R.H. Conwell Elementary School

Preschool and Kindergarten learned to sing Farmer’s Apple Tree and play the game Farmer Farmer Where’s Your Apple, and along the way they practiced playing steady beats on various percussion instruments, including egg shakers, drums, tambourines, rhythm sticks, and xylophones

1st Grade recorded their rendition of Down by the Bay and started working on Mairzy Doats. They’ve also been exploring how instruments make sound through vibration. Their exploration has included making their own musical instruments with items they can find around the home!

2nd Grade recorded their rendition of Catch a Falling Star and started working on Raining Tacos. They’ve also been exploring how instruments make sound through vibration. Their exploration has included making their own musical instruments with items they can find around the home!

3rd Grade recorded their rendition of Find Your Light and started working on Country Roads. They’ve also started exploring various genres of music by listening to samples of various styles, identifying what kind of music each sample represents, and describing the sound. So far we’ve listened to examples of country and classical music.

4th Grade recorded their rendition of When You’re Smiling and started working on This Land is Your Land. They’ve also started exploring various genres of music by listening to samples of various styles, identifying what kind of music each sample represents, and describing the sound. So far we’ve listened to examples of country, classical, hip hop rap, and rock music.

5th Grade recorded their rendition of What a Wonderful World and started working on Over the Rainbow. They’ve also been learning about the various elements that go into writing a song…by writing their own song! Students are given the option to work alone or with partners. After they finish writing the words, they will then add music using the instruments of their choice.

6th Grade recorded their rendition of When I’m Gone and started working on Stand by Me. Many students are choosing to not sing, which demonstrates a lack of teamwork, communication, and resilience skills. Learning to sing music as a group has many benefits, including:

• Presentation skills—such as posture, annunciation, dynamics, and discipline.
• Problem solving and teamwork skills—by working together to accomplish a goal.
• Resilience—by practicing doing challenging activities when the stakes are low, students become armed with internal mental resources to help them face future challenges when the stakes are high and when they have no choice to face the obstacles ahead.

Moving forward, we will continue to practice these skills using various music games and activities.

This class has also been learning about the various elements that go into writing a song…by writing their own song! Students are given the option to work alone or with partners. After they finish writing the words, they will then add music using the instruments of their choice.