Next week is our last week of kindergarten here at TES. How the time flies! As a result, we have been in hard-core review mode this week, making sure that our students can identify basic classroom instruments, echo tonal patterns, read basic rhythm patterns, and keep steady beats while moving in place and around the room. We have reviewed some of our favorite songs, chants, and games from this school year, so we are gearing up to be ready-to-go for the start of next year. Second grade has been completing some poetry-based projects with our instructional coach, Mrs. Marcotte, and we have used the opportunity to reinforce steady beat and rhythm reading. Second-graders are also prepping for the start of third grade by building their xylophone skills and creating their own group compositions!
Upper grades have been hard at work learning the various instruments of the orchestra, while singing greeting songs from around the world (our current song is from Zimbabwe) and continuing to strengthen our recorder skills. The fourth grade successfully participated in a fantastic field trip to Veterans Memorial Auditorium where they got to sing, dance, and play with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. They showed their Panda Pride and received several compliments about their behavior from the staff. I could not be more proud!!
Our insights classrooms have continued to build skills in playing, singing, saying, and moving. Fingerplays give us a great opportunity to work on our coordinated fine motor skills, while larger dances help us with our gross motor skills and teamwork. Students have also loved our puppet time, where we get to practice our rhythm patterns through our very own puppets. TES is full of rockstar students!
Musically yours,
Mr. Chippo
Recorder Practice Session
Veterans Memorial Auditorium Singalong
Kindergarten Dance Break
Kindergarten Chant
Second Grade Greeting Song
