Focus for Month of October 2008, Music Grades Pre-K, 1st-5th Music Classes often integrate songs that reinforce or teach their current SOL's or themes. Pre- K classes will continue working on basic skills and behavioral objectives which include: identify various colors,letters, shapes, numbers. In the month of October children will sing songs to celebrate the season of fall and celebrate Halloween. Grade 1: Students are learning to keep a steady beat; play rhythm instruments to the steady beat and move to the beat; students are learning to distinguish high and low sounds and follow icons that show melodic direction. The students are learning the beginning instrument skills for playing the xylophone,glockenspiels, and metallophone. Grade 2: Second graders are learning about Pitch and Rhythm. Students are able to identify and play quarter notes, eighth note pairs and quarter rest. Students move about the room playing these rhythms in their feet. Students are reviewing the basic 5 line music staff and pitch names So, Mi, and now La. Grade 3: Third graders are working on identifying and playing rhythms divided into eighths, sixteenths and the longer duration rhythms of the dotted half, whole and half notes. Students are able to identify them and play them using spoken words to assist with division of the beat. The students are continuing to improve playing and listening skills by playing ostinatos(repeated patterns)as accompaniment to the music. Students are also transferring body percussion to rhythm instruments. Grade 4: Grade 4 has been studying a Unit on Rhythm. They will continue to practice playing and recognizing sixteenth note patterns, the beat subdivided into 3 unequal parts-sixteenths and eighth combination, the eighth note pair, quarter note and various rests. Students have been singing a song about Fall, creating movement to fit the text of the words and develop more musician independence. Students performing in class on rhythm and pitched instruments. Grade 5: Focus: Rhythm Students will review previously taught rhythms and play games while improving performance skills on the xylophone,bells,and metallophone. Students are busy preparing for their WINTER MUSICAL which will be on Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00p.m. You will not want to miss this last chance to hear your son or daughter perform for the last time at the elementary school level. More information will be coming soon on how PARENTS can volunteer to help with the musical.