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Slient Reflection

Here are some images to remind us of our moving International Day of Peace celebration.

Third Grade Song Writers

The third graders had a great time reading and singing the folk song "My Aunt Came Back."

Verse from original song:
"Oh, my aunt came back
From Old Japan
And she brought with her
A waving fan."





On their own or in groups, they then rewrote verses of the song. While writing students had to think how lyrics would logically work together and fit with the rhythm of the music.

Each student quietly illustrated a specific part of their verse while groups recorded their songs in Garage Band. They were very honest in their self analysis and rerecorded when they felt they could improve their performance. While some commented that they "sound funny" on play back, all students loved their final recording.

New verse:
"Oh, My Aunt came back
From Mexico.
And she brought with her
A Burrito."

All we do in K, 1, and 2!

This Tuesday we will be celebrating International Day of Peace. We will be singing "Peace Round" and "Niños por la Paz" as a community. Did you see my post last week with Ms. Tucker's class singing "Peace Round?" Beautiful!


The Kindergarteners started their Music Mini-Mester (MMM) this week. For three weeks we will have extra music-hooray! Using jungle songs we will focus on rhythm, pitch, and instrument exploration. Kindergarten students loved meeting my "boa constrictor," Silly Sam, during their first visit to the jungle.

Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Rowe got to meet Silly Sam too!


Last week First Graders listened to Johann Strauss' Pizzicato Polka. They drew pictures to illustrate what the music made them feel.






The Second Graders visited Germany last week. They sang "Sleep, Baby, Sleep," a Germany lullaby. After learning the words in English, student listened to the song in it's original Germany. They were able to find words that were similar in both languages.

Sleep - Schlaf
Father - Vater
Mother - Muter
Sheep - Schaf

Peace Round...in round

A round is a when two or more groups sing the same melody, but at different times. This is a wonderful way for students to create harmony as they sing. Ms. Tucker's class sang beautifully on Tuesday.

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Preparing for International Day of Peace

September 21st is International Day of Peace. In music we have talked have talked about how we make peace with each other. Students shared how being a good friend and helping someone who is hurt are ways we work together peacefully every day. In class we are learning the folk song "Peace Round."

"What a goodly thing if the children of the world could live together in peace."

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

The lyrics were written by Jean Ritchie in 1964. Her original lyrics are different from the ones we learned in class. This being a folk song, I learned it aurally. It important for us to realized that the words may change, but the message remains the same.

To reinforce Sra. Bockman-Pedersen's Spanish lesson, we are also reviewing "Niños Por la Paz" in class. K-4 sung this two years ago at Celebrate the Arts. This is one of my favorite Spanish songs!

A look back...

Take a look back on all the fun we had last week!

Much Ado About Mozart
Second Graders are Getting a Head Start

First Graders retelling Otto Goes to the Beach.

Second Graders are Getting a Head Start

This fall the Second grade will perform A Small Part of the World. This week students started learning some of the songs for their show. Each week second graders will study a different continent until we have sung songs from around the world. They are already excited to perform!

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Much Ado About Mozart

The Kindergartners and Fourth graders are leaning songs by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Each grade began class by listening to a piece by Mozart. As they listened, students drew whatever the music inspired in each of them. Kindergarteners listened to the overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and Fourth graders listened to Rondo Alla Turca. They then began to study the form through song and dance.