Week of June 1
Hi 4th Graders!
I still miss seeing you, my friends, and making music together with you! But I'm glad so many of you are engaging in my music activities. Thank you. Since I don't know if I'll be visiting my family in Switzerland this summer, I decided to bring Switzerland to you and teach you a song and a dance. Have fun exploring my country this way! As always, you can do the activities all at once, pick and choose, or break them up over several days. If you have your recorder at home, feel free to send me songs that you're testing for. If you don't have your recorder at home, no worries! Skip the recorder songs or find other ways to do them. Also, feel free to repeat any of the past activities, if you'd like...
Complete this Google Form when you participated!
I still miss seeing you, my friends, and making music together with you! But I'm glad so many of you are engaging in my music activities. Thank you. Since I don't know if I'll be visiting my family in Switzerland this summer, I decided to bring Switzerland to you and teach you a song and a dance. Have fun exploring my country this way! As always, you can do the activities all at once, pick and choose, or break them up over several days. If you have your recorder at home, feel free to send me songs that you're testing for. If you don't have your recorder at home, no worries! Skip the recorder songs or find other ways to do them. Also, feel free to repeat any of the past activities, if you'd like...
Complete this Google Form when you participated!
Music Mind Benders
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The answer to last week's puzzle is: The instruments and their sections have been switched in pairs. Woodwinds and brass are flipped, and strings and percussion are flipped. Therefore, cellos would be found in the percussion section.
Here is this week's music mind bender: You will see a series of drawings that show just a tiny part of an instrument. Name the instruments that each picture is from. If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer on Saturday:-) |
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Singing Activity
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Here is a Swiss children's song about a goat. The first video gives pronunciation help, the second video teaches the melody. Give it a try!
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Movement Activity
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Would you like to learn a Swiss Folk Dance? The first video shows you a step by step guide to a Swiss Folk Dance. The second video shows the dance to the music. The third video just has me playing the song on the traditional Schwiizeroergeli so that you can dance to it. Have fun!
No partner? No problem! Just learn your part or dance with a stuffed animal as a partner! |
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Instrument Activity
I created an instrument trivia game on kahoot! You can check it out here: Kahoot!
You will need a computer/tablet and a phone in order to play this. The game code is: 0422992
You will need a computer/tablet and a phone in order to play this. The game code is: 0422992
Literature
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This is a very special book: Because by Mo Willems. After listening to the book reading on the video, explore the two links for the songs that had a big influence on this book.
Symphony Nr.8 by Franz Schubert: here The Cold by Hilary Purrington: here A short video about how the book was created with Mo Willems and Amber Ren talking: here |
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Spring Mills Virtual Variety Show
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Spring Mills Students! Did you see the announcement from Mrs. Melkonian? Participate in the Virtual Variety Show! I'm looking forward to watching your acts!
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Week of May 26
Music Mind Benders
The Answer to last week's puzzle is: Ben plays the oboe!
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
The crazy new orchestra director has mixed up all of the instruments and put them in new sections. In the new orchestra:
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
The crazy new orchestra director has mixed up all of the instruments and put them in new sections. In the new orchestra:
- Clarinets are found in the brass section
- Violins are found in the percussion section
- Tubas are found in the woodwind section
- Flutes are found in the brass section
- Snare drums are found in the string section
Rhythm Activity
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Clap some rhythms along to the song "Happy" or find an instrument/tool and tap along!
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Instruments of the Orchestra
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Listen and find the right instrument!
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Composition Activity
Let your creative juices flow and compose a song with this fun online tool called Chrome Music Lab - Song Maker:
https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/
You add notes by clicking on the grid and add percussion by clicking on the dots under the grid. You can change the instruments by clicking on "Marimba" and " Electronic". If you go to settings, you can choose how long your song should be (how many bars), beats per bar, split beats into quarter notes (1) or eighth notes (2), and other things. After you're done, you can "save" your composition by clicking on the check mark and you will get a shareable link. I would LOVE to hear your song!! Just copy the link and send it to me ([email protected])!
Here's a song I quickly put together for you as an example
https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/
You add notes by clicking on the grid and add percussion by clicking on the dots under the grid. You can change the instruments by clicking on "Marimba" and " Electronic". If you go to settings, you can choose how long your song should be (how many bars), beats per bar, split beats into quarter notes (1) or eighth notes (2), and other things. After you're done, you can "save" your composition by clicking on the check mark and you will get a shareable link. I would LOVE to hear your song!! Just copy the link and send it to me ([email protected])!
Here's a song I quickly put together for you as an example
Week of May 18
Music Mind Benders
The Answer to last week's puzzle is: in the dictionary! (that was a tricky one!)
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Four members of the band's woodwind section are sitting in a circle to begin tuning. Using the clues below, figure out whether Christine, Ben, Dora, or Dylan plays the oboe.
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Four members of the band's woodwind section are sitting in a circle to begin tuning. Using the clues below, figure out whether Christine, Ben, Dora, or Dylan plays the oboe.
- In the circle, the two boys sit directly across from each other.
- Dora's instrument does not require a reed.
- The person sitting to the left of Dylan plays an instrument that begins with the same letter as her first name.
- The person sitting across from Ben plays the saxophone.
Singing Activity
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If you'd like to sing along with a fun song about animals, here is "555-Meow".
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Rhythm Activity |
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This is a beat counting activity!
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Instrument Families
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Watch this fabulous video to learn how to classify the different instruments in an orchestra.
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Ball Movement Activity
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Here comes a fun little ball routine to the song "Popcorn"! You need a kickball, basketball, tennis ball, or just some kind of ball that can bounce.
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Week of May 11
Music Mind Benders
The Answer to last week's puzzle is: 7 minutes - just have all of the flute players play at the same time!
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Typically, the rehearsal comes before the performance, and the performance will be followed by an encore. In what place does rehearsal come after performance and encore?
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Typically, the rehearsal comes before the performance, and the performance will be followed by an encore. In what place does rehearsal come after performance and encore?
Form Activity
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We're looking at another ballad today. This one is special, because it is not only sung, but also has spoken parts in it and even sound effects! Remember, a ballad is a song that tells a story. Here comes "The Story of the Foolish Frog".
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Rhythm Activity
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You can do this rhythm activity on a table, on your lap, or on a drum. The first video shows the different parts slower, the second video has a faster version of "Sevens".
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Movement Activity
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Do you like baseball? Then this might be a fun activity for you. If you don't like baseball - it still might be a fun activity... :-) This is a silent movement activity to a song that's actually from the opera Carmen by Bizet (but don't worry, there isn't any singing in this example...) Grab your baseball cap and get ready!
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Week of May 4
Music Mind Benders
The Answer to last week's puzzle is: ONE MUSIC WORD (I know, pretty silly....)
Here is this week's music mind bender:
If it takes one flute player seven minutes to play a particular piece of music, how long will it take 10 flute players to play the same piece of music?
Here is this week's music mind bender:
If it takes one flute player seven minutes to play a particular piece of music, how long will it take 10 flute players to play the same piece of music?
Singing Activities
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In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we're learning a song today where all the colors are in Spanish and the refrain is in Spanish too! Give it a try!
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If you would like to surprise your mom with a song for Mother's Day, here's a funny song from a Swiss children's choir (Schwiizergoofe), but fortunately in English :-)
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Rhythm Activity
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You can do this activity on a drum, a bucket, a pot, or simply your lap! We are working on using our hands independently...
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Music Symbols Activity
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Create a picture using only music symbols! The first picture shows a list of some music symbols you can use. The second picture is something I quickly came up with... :-) I would love to see some of your pictures when you're done! You can send the picture to me by email, or Spring Mills students, you can also upload it on ClassDojo under portfolio or send it to me as a message.
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Week of April 27
Music Mind Benders
The Answer to last week's puzzle is: The letter A! :-)
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Rearrange the letters in WONDROUS MICE to make one music word.
Here is this week's music mind bender:
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
Rearrange the letters in WONDROUS MICE to make one music word.
Note Name Activity
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Read the note names and figure out what the words are! If you hit the play button, it will show you the answers so you can check yours...
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Rhythm Activity
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This is an activity you can do with Legos or Duplos! The first picture shows which lego piece is which musical note. Start building and then write down the notes of what you built. If you don't have legos at home, just come up with your own rhythms and practice writing them.
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Family Activity
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For this activity, you need a ping pong ball (or a balloon works too) and at least one other family member. You could even have groups against each other if more people want to play! This is an activity that helps with breath control, which is important for wind instruments (like your recorder!). You will need to mark two lines on the floor. It's easiest to just watch the video on how to play... Warning: excessive laughter possible... :-)
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Week of April 20
Music Mind Benders
Just for Fun! Don't get frustrated... If you would like, send me your answer. I'll reveal the answer next week :-)
I occur once in an orchestra, twice in a jazz band, and never in a woodwind quintet. What am I?
I occur once in an orchestra, twice in a jazz band, and never in a woodwind quintet. What am I?
Singing Activity
New Song: The United States. I hope that this song will help you memorize all 50 States!
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Rhythm Activity
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I will show you a card with three rhythms on it. You have to figure out, which of the three rhythms am I saying...
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Listening Activity
Grab a paper, some crayons or colored pencils, and get ready to listen and draw. Feel free to do this activity with your whole family!
First, click here, but don't peek. You will hear a music composition. While you listen, draw a picture that tells a story. Draw what you imagine is happening, not what instruments you hear. Everybody's picture is going to look differently! At the end, look at each other's pictures or show your picture to a parent/sibling. Tell them what story you came up with while listening.
Then, watch what story Disney came up with by clicking here or by watching Fantasia 2000...
First, click here, but don't peek. You will hear a music composition. While you listen, draw a picture that tells a story. Draw what you imagine is happening, not what instruments you hear. Everybody's picture is going to look differently! At the end, look at each other's pictures or show your picture to a parent/sibling. Tell them what story you came up with while listening.
Then, watch what story Disney came up with by clicking here or by watching Fantasia 2000...
Week of April 13
Singing Activity
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I hope you remember this song from the beginning of the year. I thought it would be a nice way to get back in the groove, remember those notes on the lines, and sing along with "Every Good Boy Does Fine"!
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Rhythm Activity
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Here is a rhythm echo activity. Remember: you can say the rhythms, you can clap the rhythms, you can play the rhythms on your recorder, or you can find anything else that could work like an instrument!
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Listening Activity
I would like you to listen to your favorite song! Any song! Then, send me the link to your favorite song by email and tell me, why you like this song. Maybe you can even describe if the song is fast or slow, major or minor, or if you hear any instruments in it! I would love to get to know your favorite song!