Happy Friday!
We are very excited to share with you what we have been working on in Room 100!
Our week together started with a review of the song we learned last week called "Ensemble 1". Students rehearsed the piece in small groups with one student on a part in preparation to perform for the other groups in the class. Students had to utilize non-verbal cues in order to play and communicate as an ensemble. Some students found that nodding their head was a great way to signal when to end the song while others discovered that given students a clear and concise cut off to end the piece worked well. Students performed for each other and then completed a reflection after watching a video of their performance. We discussed why it is important to watch our performance back and how it can help us grow as musicians.
The next few days brought excitement and challenged us to think "outside of the box" as we took a look at all of the non-traditional items that we could potentially use as percussion instruments. We watched a video of the Blueman group performing on an instrument called a "drumbone" that is comprised of different sizes of PVC pipe. Students then had the opportunity to create their very own percussion instrument made out of materials they found at home. Students spent the next class composing 12 measure rhythms in groups. Students notated their compositions incorporating rhythmic notation using half, quarter, and eighth notes. We then performed for the class! Check out the slide show below to see us in action!
We are very excited to share with you what we have been working on in Room 100!
Our week together started with a review of the song we learned last week called "Ensemble 1". Students rehearsed the piece in small groups with one student on a part in preparation to perform for the other groups in the class. Students had to utilize non-verbal cues in order to play and communicate as an ensemble. Some students found that nodding their head was a great way to signal when to end the song while others discovered that given students a clear and concise cut off to end the piece worked well. Students performed for each other and then completed a reflection after watching a video of their performance. We discussed why it is important to watch our performance back and how it can help us grow as musicians.
The next few days brought excitement and challenged us to think "outside of the box" as we took a look at all of the non-traditional items that we could potentially use as percussion instruments. We watched a video of the Blueman group performing on an instrument called a "drumbone" that is comprised of different sizes of PVC pipe. Students then had the opportunity to create their very own percussion instrument made out of materials they found at home. Students spent the next class composing 12 measure rhythms in groups. Students notated their compositions incorporating rhythmic notation using half, quarter, and eighth notes. We then performed for the class! Check out the slide show below to see us in action!
To wrap up the week, we learned a song from the country of Liberia called "Take Time in Life". This piece incorporated 5 different percussion instruments, singing, and movement. We discussed the meaning of the song and the emotion behind the lyrics. Students agreed that the message behind the song was to take time to enjoy the small things in life. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, we had a meaningful discussion about what we were thankful for and how this song takes special meaning to us during this time of year.
Be sure to check our blog next WEDNESDAY as we have a short week next week!
- Ms. Barkin
Be sure to check our blog next WEDNESDAY as we have a short week next week!
- Ms. Barkin