Kindergarden Goes on a Quest

Kindergartners had a great time helping me tell to story of The Vanishing Pumpkin. As well as adding sound effects to my favorite Halloween story, Kindergartners added song and movement.

"No pumpkin!"

"And he began to search for the pumpkin."

Halloween Parade

Strengthing the Left Hand

This blog post from key-notes offers some great advice for piano players on how to strengthen the left hand. I have used Hanon's exercises for myself and my piano students.

Music Teachers are Already Leading the Way

In his article on 1:1 initiatives in schools, Brian Wis describes why certain programs fail. He also explains that music teachers understand the philosophy behind meaningful 1:1 programs. By developing a teaching philosophy, reflecting on the benefits of our plan, and then putting the plan into action, we are better able to equip our classrooms for success.

Moments in Class

Second Graders in Mrs. Cameron's class create movements to a Halloween round.

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Ms. Conroy and Mr. Hutton's Kindergarten class sings the overture to "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart. Lyrics by Deborah Ziolkoski of Fun With Composers.

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Halloween is in the Air!

Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to read my favorite Halloween story, The Vanishing Pumpkin, to Mrs. Jotch and Mrs. Reynold's JK class. They were great listeners! We all had a fun time.


Apparently word traveled fast about The Vanishing Pumpkin. Monday morning I got to read to Mrs. Reynold and Mrs. Carson's class too! Thank you for inviting me JK!

Reading and Writing Rhythms

The First Graders had a blast using the "beat strips" and "rhythm markers" to create rhythms. Students spoke and clapped various rhythms throughout class. First Graders also drew rhythms for their classmates to repeat.

Recorder Case

Find some quilting weight cotton you like and make yourself a recorder case. Please ask for assistance from a grow up when cutting and sewing.

1) Cut a piece of fabric 6 inches x 20 inches.

2) If you would like to applique or add design to your fabric, now is the time. I chose to add on green fabric strips because my yellow fabric had no definite pattern.

3) Be sure to trim your edges after sewing.

4) Turn fabric over. Fold and iron a 1/4 inch on each long side.

5) Stitch down each side.

6) Fold down the top of your recorder case 1 inch and iron.

7) Stitch about 1/4 inch from the end of fabric so you leave a 3/4 inch opening in the fabric.
8) Fold right sides together, pin, and sew.
9) Snip a bit off the two bottom ends.
10) Attach a safety pin to 9 in. piece of ribbon and pull through the opening at the top of your case.

11) Tie ends together.

12) You're all done. Now start playing!

Jazz and Recorders!

The Fourth Graders have sung through their grade level musical, We Haz Jazz. As well as singing and swinging all the songs on the stage, the Fourth grade will choose one of five roles to play in the show: 1) actor 2) singer 3) dancer 4) set designer or 5) stage manager. Students studied the script so they could make informed decisions about which roles they wish to take on.

The Third Graders are so excited because they had the opportunity to take their recorders home. I hope you have a chance to look over the Recorder Karate packet together this week. This will be your child's music book for the next two years. Third graders will need to bring their recorder with them every day to class. I suggest keeping both recorder and folder in the book bag to make it easy to remember.

Orff and Drums!

The Kindergartners drummed up a good time in music this week. In their drum circle they played rhythms by themselves and as a group to get a feel for the drums. Students started by playing the "heart beat" rhythm.

During the rests of the heart beat we chanted "Move together, think together, work together, play together." Thank you Matt Savage!

Even though we didn't play the bongos this week, the Kindergartners enjoyed singing and drumming to the song Banging on My Bongos.
"Oo-ee-oh, bangin' on my bongos!"




The First Grade sang and played to I'm a Nut! This silly song gave students a chance to combine our Orff instruments with our drums for a great sound.