What a wonderful second trimester of school we have had, through weather and holidays the Ridgeway musicians continue to bring joy and cheer to every class.
Unit A has been working on fine tuning their previously learned comparatives of Loud vs. Soft and Fast vs. Slow. They have also been working on their tuneful independent singing and have grown so much in their tonality- it is a joy to hear them sing. Along with our comparatives and singing Unit A has been working on steady beat, or as we call it in the younger years- heartbeat. They have had many opportunities to perform, move to and play the heartbeat of different songs and have shown a good understanding of how the heartbeat keeps the song going.
Unit B has been doing a lot of musical reading work! From refining their skills of beat vs. rhythm to reading simple rhythms of known songs, Unit B has grown a lot in their understanding of musical theory and literacy. Along with quarter and eighth notes Unit B has added quarter rest and will soon add half note. They will be adding melodic elements of sol, mi and la very soon and with this will be able to sing and sight read many songs themselves. I am very impressed with their music literacy skills and have enjoyed seeing their thought process on how these things are all interconnected.
Unit C has worked super hard on their instrument skills this year and has really grown in their musicianship. It is a joy to have musicians that are excited to learn new things and practice new skills- so much so that some of them have taken to working on things outside of class time! True music to a music teacher's ears. Unit C will continue working with recorder but are strongly focusing on ‘ukulele now. Many 5th graders have expressed interest in signing up for an instrument in middle school and I am so excited for them!
It has been a wonderful year so far in the music room and our Ridgeway musicians continue to lead in music class with enthusiasm, passion and joy!
Sing-cerely,
Ms. Meeds
