In the Studio

Second and fourth grader spent the month to February writing and recording songs in class.

The second graders sang and danced to the English folk songs The Noble Duke of York and A-Hunting We Will Go. Each student then wrote his or her own rhyming verse for A-Hunting We Will Go. One-by-one students recorded their song in Garage Band as their classmates illustrated pictures to compliment their own verse.

The fourth graders loved learning about the 12-bar blues. After a theory lesson, students played the 12-bar blues on the orff instruments. They had a blast creating their own rhythms to fit into the blues pattern.

12-Bar Blues
I I I I
IV IV I I
V IV I I

Once they were comfortable with the feel of the 12-bar blues, students wrote their own blues verse. The fourth graders chose to write both serious and funny blues verses. Students had to work quietly as they illustrated their songs so that classmates could record their song in Garage Band. What was the most difficult part of this project? Ask student and they'll tell you that it was listening to and analyzing their performances. Most students commented on how "funny" they sounded. They all sounded fabulous!

"We haz it folks!"

The fourth graders wowed audiences with their performances of "We Haz Jazz."

Not only did they light up the stage with their singing and dancing,

but they created the set as well!
When Thelonius Monk took the stage there was not a dry eye in the house!

The second graders are learning Fanga Alafia, a song from West Africa. During the instrumental break they practiced creating polyrhythms, the simultaneous sounding of two or more rhythms. Students broke into groups to create these rhythms and then performed them for each other in class.
The second graders will be singing Fanga Alafia for Grandparents and Special Friends Day.

And, here is a sneak peek at We Haz Jazz. The fourth graders can't wait until Friday!

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

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.