Free vs. Bound Flow Dancers

In 2nd grade music class today, we talked about the difference between Free and Bound flow. When moving our bodies with free flow, we are feeling the energy of the music in our entire bodies--head to toe. Free flow helps us to feel the space in between the beats. Bound flow is when we are moving with tightened, tense muscles (we said it felt like there was a force field around our bodies that we were trying to break free of). Both types of flow are important in allowing us to fully feel the music. Musicians who can move their bodies freely are more likely to have better rhythm because they are not only hearing the music, but are feeling it with their entire bodies.

The dancers in this video are a perfect example of moving with flow, and the students LOVED watching it. Enjoy!

The Nutcracker: 1st Grade Fun

This week in 1st grade music we began our study of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." On Thursday December 13th, I will be taking the 1st graders on a field trip to the Power Center to see the Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre's performance of this famous ballet. We first learned about the story by acting out different parts. Certain students got to act out different characters, and some "special guests" even visited our classroom (Drosselmeyer, The Sugar Plum Fairy, and The Mouse King).

From now until our field trip on the 13th, we will continue to learn about The Nutcracker music through fun movement activities and story telling. We will also learn more about what a ballet is, and how we should act when in the audience. I am already looking forward to this field trip, and judging from their engagement in class this week, I know the students are too!

Here are some of the most recognizable pieces from the Nutcracker. As we learn more about them, you can play them at home and see if your child can teach you some of the movement activities that we learned.

**NOTE: You will not be able to play the recordings without downloading the Spotify program to your computer first. It is a free program and allows you access to a huge library of streaming music. It is pretty awesome :)**

Kindergarten Echoes

This week in Kindergarten music we read a story called "Happy Birthday, Moon" by Frank Asch. In this story, Bear decides that he wants to give the moon a birthday present, so he goes up to the top of the mountains to ask the moon what he wants for his birthday. When bear starts talking to the moon, he thinks that the moon is talking back to him, but all he is really hearing is his own echo! "What do you want for your birthday?" said bear. "What do you want for your birthday?" said the moon. 

The students loved listening to this story and we had a great talk about what an echo really is. Then, we sang and echo song "Sing After Me." Here is a video of Elmo and Ernie singing this fun song!

Turkey Songs

In honor of Thanksgiving coming up this Thursday, here are a couple of our favorite "turkey" songs. While singing fun turkey songs this week, we have also been talking a lot about things that we are thankful for. I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am to be the music teacher at Bryant Elementary. Every day, I have the joy of coming to a job that I love and working with some very bright and talented young students. Bryant is a very special community and I feel very grateful to be a part of it. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

A Turkey Named Burt

Here is a recording of Mrs. Micou's 1st grade class doing our "Turkey Named Burt" chant. They did a great job! I wish I could have put up a video so that you could see their dance, but maybe you can get a performance of it at home :)

"A turkey named Burt thought he'd make up a dance and do it for the King and the Queen. If he did it real well, and they liked it a lot, they wouldn't eat him--that would be mean!

He went 'slide, close--slide, close. Flap your wings and touch your toes.' He went 'slide, close--slide, close. Turn around and touch your nose.'"

Zuni Rain Song

This past week in Kindergarten music, we have been singing a song called the "Zuni Rain Song." In class, we have been talking about how thankful we are for all of the wonderful things that nature provides us. We read a story called "Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message," that talked about how each and every part of nature is beautiful and helps us out in many ways.

One part of nature that we decided was very important was the rain because it helps all living things grow. We especially loved getting to hear and play with rain sticks and had fun doing the hand motions to this song from the Zuni tribe.

Here's a recording of Mrs. Joseph's Kindergarten class singing to the "Zuni Rain Song." Enjoy!

"Come again, come again, come good rain. Fall upon the mountains and on the plains. Come again, come again, come good rain. Water for the river and for the grains."

Rocks in the Crust of the Earth

In 2nd grade Humanities, we have been making connections with what students are learning about in science. Students already have, or will start talking about the different types of rocks in class and how they are formed.

Here is a recording of Ms. Puente's 2nd grade class singing about the 3 different types of rocks (Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary). Listen as Ms. Puente's class "rocks out" (get it?!) singing to this song! (And please forgive my guitar playing :) )

Great job, 2nd graders!