Welcome to the new Murch Music Blog!
It's hard to believe that we are almost through with the 1st quarter of this new school year. There are many exciting things going on in music this year that I am glad to have this opportunity to share them with you. I'd like to tell you a bit about the the program in general and then go into grade level specifics.
Each student at Murch comes to music for at least 45 minutes each week. During that time, we listen to, analyze, discuss, arrange, compose, sing or play music. Each session consists of a standards based lesson with a specific objective for that lesson. The students at Murch have a wide variety of talents, abilities and experiences. The activities that we engage in are designed to include all students no matter their previous musical experience.
This is a general music program. While we do not subscribe totally to one teaching method, we do include many of the principles contained in the Orff philosophy. The Orff philosophy believes in the development and the engagement of the whole musician, body, mind and spirit. Poetry and movement are an intricate part of the program. Theory and vocabulary are also introduced on a age apprpropriate level.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN MUSIC?
Pre-Kindergarten students are learning the basic components of music. We are enjoying loud and soft sounds and using music vocabulary to describe those sounds.
Kindergarten students are learning about the instruments of the orchestra. We are discussing the instrument families and listening to various instruments.
1st grade students are discovering a variety of musical genres. We are learning to work together by playing and singing as a group.
2nd grade students are using their math skills to learn about rhythm and beats. We are learning how notes relate to each other as we develop our composition skills.
3rd grade students are studying articulation and symbols. We are learning how to express ourselves and our emotions through music.
4th grade students are enjoying the music of the United States. We are touring the USA through music. Songs about states and songs that represent regions of the country are being analyzed and compared.
5th grade students are taking music out of the box and putting it back together again. They are examining how music is used in society to influence behavior and record events.
ASSESSMENT
Although music is a performance activity it is also an academic one as well. Each student recieves music grades each quarter based solely on the work demonstrated in class or through homework assignments or projects. While the individual breakdown may vary, in general students are assessed on Preparation, Participation and Production.
PREPARATION - Students are expected to come to class ready to work. Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 should bring their music folders or notebooks to class each day.
PARTICIPATION - Students are expected to take part in the activites of the day. They should demonstrate repsect for others by staying on task and allowing all to learn.
PRODUCT - Students are expected to complete all assignements given. This includes homework, in class assignments, projects and quizzes.
VOLUNTEERING IN MUSIC
If you have skills in any of the following areas we need you in music. You need NOT be a musician to apply.
- organizer - we have files and CD's just waiting to be put in order
- instrument repair - we have instruments that need love and attention or a hammer or a glue gun.
- center helpers - on Fridays we work in learning centers. Extra hands are always helpful to help man the centers.