It's a new year and things in the St. James music room are better than ever!
Pre-school, Kindergarten and First grade are constantly on the move in music class. They have their favorite songs that we have been doing through out the school year such as Green Jelly Bean, Monkey's on the Bed and A Ram Sam Sam. The students are also learning about different animals and creatures living in jungle with songs and games. We even did Ernie's "Tiger Hunt" from classic Sesame Street. (I used to dance and play to this one when I was in my early dance classes!)
Second, Third, and Fourth Grade are up to a variety of activities. Learning the difference between music that is fast and slow, reading musical notes, and watching clips of from Fantasia and a cartoon about Richard Strauss are somethings all three grades have done or will do. Third and fourth grade have also been making steady progress in their recorder studies.
Fifth grade has also been working at the recorder, their advanced skills make me challenge them each week. 5th Grade may soon be ready to add an Alto Recorder to their arsenal of musical knowledge. Stay tuned! 5th Grade has also been watching the Prince of Egypt which is an animated, musical version of the story of Moses. We've been talking at length about the bible story as well as the music and how it makes them feel.
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade have been busy with the recorder, composers and music in film respectively. These students were assigned a project for quarter three. 6th/7th are doing a presentation on a musician or band of their choice and 8th grade is doing a presentation on music and film. The projects are due 2/18/14 for students in 6th and 8th grade and 2/20/14 for grade 7. I can't wait to see how these turn out!
In other news, I'm so happy and grateful for how 2013 played out. I have a wonderful job with great students, parents, and colleagues. Did you attend the winter concert? Weren't the 1st and 2nd graders wonderful? I'm proud of how they did and I'm also proud of all my students that were in band and strings. I can see the joy it brings some of my students to be involved in music and I hope that love never fades. My only hope is next year my choir will be at that holiday concert as well, but I have great feelings about the spring concert. :)
In the non-education world, I got married on November 23rd. It's hard to believe it's almost been two month since that beautiful day! I cannot find any complaint in how it went, my husband even sang to me which was a surprise! Jamaica was also beautiful, and as I type this and it's snowing heavily, I miss the warmth and sun.
I'm looking forward to 2014 and what it has to bring. (hopefully a house!)
Mrs. Beyus
