Newsletter

It’s the end of May already! How the days just seem to fly by at this time of year. We’ve been keeping busy and active in the Music Room this month, as the students have been getting back into the usual routine of things and units begin to wind down for the year.

In Kindergarten, the students have continued their work on the book, Sitting on the Farm, singing songs and moving/dramatizing actions about the animals. They have learned a number of songs and rhymes about bugs, frogs, snakes and rats. The Grade Ones have learned about la, as a sound just above so, and also learned that a quick, jogging rhythm is known as ti-ti, or eighth notes. Grade Two has continued working their way through Peter and the Wolf, and got to see demonstrations in class of several different instruments featured in the story. They have watched a live-action video and worked at creating some artwork as well. In Grade Three, the class has reviewed the Instruments of the Orchestra, classifying them into the different families of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. These students have also had the opportunity to see in-class demonstrations of many of these instruments.

The Grade Fours have spent the month playing recorders, learning to read and echo a number of songs that feature the notes B, A and G. In Grade Five, we have completed a unit of Sailor Songs that has included singing, playing Orff instruments, recorders and movement. The students have now begun a review of rhythmic material learned this year in another song activity. The Grade Six classes have finished up a unit on Canada’s youngest province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Many of the songs from this province reflect the area’s fishing lifestyle and maritime culture. We have combined some of these songs into a medley where they are all connected and sung one right after another. This unit will finish with some map work and more cultural information as well as listening to Newfoundland artists such as Great Big Sea and The Irish Descendants.

Congratulations to our Grade 4-6 Intermediate Choir for their excellent performances on May 3 at the RRSD “Swing the Mood” concert. It was a long day and the students sang very well. Thanks to Mr. Taylor and all the teachers who helped out and to all the parents, friends and other relatives who came to listen. The choir is now winding down for the year and it won’t be too long until we have to say good-bye to our Grade 6’s. Thanks Choir, for another successful year of singing!