It was an exciting day in Grade 3/4 this week! We had our first class using the barred instruments, practicing a "bordun" accompaniment. The bordun pattern follows the words: "Will you, be my friend?".
We started by watching a video of how to properly use the barred instruments, then practiced the bordun rhythm pattern on our legs. Next, we used finger tips on the instruments, and once we mastered THAT, we got to use mallets! The students are still working on instrument technique, like no pointer fingers on the mallets, but rather holding the mallets like you are riding a bicycle. Next week we will add a voice part to go along with the bordun accompaniment.
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This week we started guitar in all Grades 5-8 classes. Our first class involved learning the parts of the guitar, string names and how to read a fret diagram. Our first chord was the D Major chord. For extra practice at home, here is a great YouTube lesson! Here are the Grade 7/8s from Ms. Hampton's class working on their hand position for the D chord!
On Thursday night, we had a potluck dinner with many families at ÉCCS. Everyone brought a dish to share and we gathered for great food and conversation. A highlight of the evening was a performance by the Grade 3/4 students singing, "Things I am Thankful For". Both French and English students performed, and we had a great turnout of 15 students - impressive, considering it was a very cold and snowy evening! I am very proud of how hard the students worked to prepare for performance. We had a short preparation time - only two classes - and it was evident that these students love to sing! I am looking forward to more performing opportunities in the future.
Here is a short video clip of the performance, captured by Mrs. Daelick.
In the grade 5/6 classes, we just finished working on soundscape stories. In groups, students chose a fairy tale story and created background music using percussion instruments. Each group experimented with traditional and non-traditional ways to use the instruments and make sound effects for their stories.
On Monday, M. Ingola's class shared their stories and entertained the class with their unique ideas and dramatic reneditions of the fairy tales. For the past week, the Grade 5/6 students have been experimenting with different non-pitched percussion instruments to create soundscapes and sound stories. First, we created a sound story as a class to the story, "Three Billy Goats Gruff". We came up with different instruments and sounds for each character in the story and for certain events, like the goats walking across the bridge. After, the students came together in groups to come up with their own sound ideas for the story. Finally, we all performed the story at the same time - it was very loud in the room!
Next class, the students will be choosing their own fairy tale or nursery rhyme and creating a unique sound story in groups! Here are some pictures of the students brainstorming and experimenting with different non-pitched and pitched percussion instruments. I Can: experiment with instruments to create soundscapes and sound stories. I am so excited to be part of the team at École Connaught Community School this year! We have a lovely room downstairs, across from Wise Owl Daycare. We are equipped with full class sets of world drums, guitars, barred instruments (xylophones, etc) and lots of non-pitched percussion instruments. Best of all, we have lots of space to sing, dance, act and be LOUD!!!
By the end of the week, I will have worked with all the students in the school, except Pre-K and English Kindergarten. We are learning our welcome songs and routines and setting classroom expectations. As we move around in a new space with lots of distracting and awesome instruments, we are working on being respectful and remaining calm in the classroom. This ties in with our school-wide "Virtue of the Month" - Self Control. Thank you to Mrs. Daelick for sharing the information below! At ÉCCS, Self Control LOOKS LIKE:
Self Control SOUNDS LIKE:
Self Control, FEELS LIKE:
I am looking forward to a great year! |
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