2ND QUARTER
KINDERGARTEN Kindergartners will be focusing on the concept of tempo (fast and slow). Kindergartners will also be focusing on the concept of pitch (high and low). Stories and songs which encourage students to move and sing on higher and lower levels and pitches are being presented each week. In addition, students will explore the four voice channels: whispering, speaking, singing, and calling. An assessment on tempo will occur before the winter break and an assessment on pitch will take place the second full week of school in January.
FIRST GRADE
First graders will be working on the concepts of tone color and dynamics. Various songs and stories are being performed in class to assist in discriminating between loud and soft (dynamics). In addition, students will play several kinds of rhythm instruments, comparing the different sound (tone color) of each one. An assessment on patterns of loud and soft notes (dynamics) will occur before winter break and an assessment on identifying the sound of the woodblock, tambourine, triangle, rhythm sticks, tone bell, hand drum, shaker, and jingle bells (tone color) will be administered during the second full week of school in January.
SECOND GRADE
Second graders will be working on dynamics and an additional rhythm during this marking period. Recognition of forte (loud) and piano (soft) and gradually getting louder and softer (dynamics) will be experienced in numerous songs and listening selections.
The half note (tah-ah) will be located and read in many songs from our songbooks. An assessment on reading rhythms will take place before winter break and an assessment on dynamics will be administered the second full week of school in January.
Third, fourth, and fifth graders will also work on dynamics, but in more detail.
THIRD GRADE
Third graders will learn how to
identify and read sixteenth notes (tah-kuh-tee-kee). An assessment of
reading rhythms will be administered during the second full week in January. They will also have a multiple choice test for the following dynamics: p or piano (soft), f or forte (loud), pp or pianissimo (very soft), ff or fortissimo (very loud), mp or mezzo piano (medium soft), mf or mezzo forte (medium loud), crescendo (gradually getting louder), and decrescendo (gradually getting softer). The assessment on dynamics will occur before winter break.
FOURTH GRADE Fourth graders will work in groups of two or three, selecting one of five provided poems, choosing 3-5 dynamic markings from the Symbol Bank that includes: p or piano (soft), f or forte (loud), pp or pianissimo (very soft), ff or fortissimo (very loud), crescendo (gradually getting louder), decrescendo (gradually getting softer), mp or mezzo piano (medium soft), and mf or mezzo forte (medium loud). Following ample practice time, each group will perform its poem with the application of dynamic choices as an assessment during the second full week in January. Fourth grade will also have a multiple choice test on the dynamics listed above before winter break.
FIFTH GRADE
Fifth graders will apply dynamics as they sing with expression during general music class and chorus.
Fifth graders will also work on the
following tempo terms: largo (very slow) adagio (slow), andante
(moderately slow-"walking" speed), moderato (in moderate speed), allegro
(fast), presto (very fast), accelerando (gradually getting faster), and
ritardando (gradually getting slower). Examples of each tempo term
will be presented in class and a multiple choice test will be
administered before winter break. In addition, students will need to identify three different tempo settings by responding to listening examples through designated movements for each of the tempo settings. That assessment will occur during the second full week in January.
RHYTHMS FOR THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH GRADE
The rhythms that will be introduced and read this marking period are the dotted half note (tah-ah-ah) in third grade, the eighth note followed by two sixteenth note (tah tee-kuh) in fourth grade, and eighth notes, quarter notes, and dotted quarter notes in 6/8 meter in fifth grade. All third, fourth, and fifth grade students may review the rhythm sheet posted on the general music website in the OVERTIME section for home practice.
One final reminder: ALL THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR RECORDERS TO EVERY MUSIC CLASS
