The Orff instruments arrived! I am hoping that I can get them all set up and ready to be played on Thursday of next week.
The sixth grade choir is learning "Lean on Me" and they sound fantastic!
The kindergarteners and first graders match high-low pitches very well; second graders, third/fourth graders, and fifth graders continue to impress me with their musicality.

This is such a fun time of year!  There are so many songs relating to the holidays and seasons! We are starting to learn how to sing some of them in class, as well as continuing to learn accompaniments and perform action songs on the beat/and or on the rhythm patterns. 

Students are really getting into the swing of things!  We are singing, singing, and singing.  The little ones are moving to the music and having a blast accompanying themselves with rhythm sticks. 

Music students (who are continuing into the second set of six-week blocks) are learning Orff accompaniments to songs they sing well.  The PTA is buying a set for Bill Roberts; when they arrive, everyone will get the opportunity to perform and sing!  Thank you PTA!
The sixth grade sings a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" that is truly goose-bump worthy.
Check out the beautiful voices of two second grade classes singing "You are My Sunshine" on the**Musical Showcase** page.  (Jackson and Umberger)
I continue to be impressed as I meet new students at Bill Roberts!

The students at Bill Roberts were treated to a special performance by the Denver School of the Arts middle school orchestra.  The music was amazing; so was the audience! They were such receptive listeners!

As one of the electives for sixth grade, we have formed a choir here at Bill Roberts!  This small and mighty group of singers is truly impressive!  The choir will meet two times a week and will be performance-oriented.

Time sure flies by when you are having fun!  Some classes added rhythm instrument accompaniments to the songs they were singing!  Some classes even had students volunteer to be soloists!  I will miss the classes that will not be continuing with me next week and hope that they will have a wonderful time in their next few weeks experiencing a different special.  I am looking forward to meeting more fantastic music students! :)

All classes continue to explore the concepts of beat, rhythm, and syncopation.
Fifth graders are now reviewing songs from American history . . . they sang "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and "This Land is Your Land" in addition to working on the "Cups" ostinato pattern.  Seventh graders took a quiz over the history behind "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Third and fourth graders continued working on "Recycle Rap," learned another chant, "Way Down South," and started learning "When I First Came to This Land."  Second graders sang "You Are My Sunshine" from their music books.  First graders added actions to more songs and kindergarteners learned a new singing game using Mr. Potato Head.  I continue to be very impressed with the positive effort and beautiful singing voices at Bill Roberts!

Students continued exploring the difference between beat, rhythm, and syncopation.  Fifth graders and seventh graders are learning the ostinato accompaniment to "Cups."
Second graders are reading and beautifully singing from their music books.  Everyone is participating!!  It is such a pleasure having the opportunity to work with the students here at Bill Roberts!

All classes began learning/reviewing the concepts of beat, rhythm, and syncopation.  We bounced, passed or rolled tennis balls on the beat of contemporary songs.  We also sang action songs and moved to the beat.  I think we all got a little bit of a workout!   

The students here at Bill Roberts continue to amaze me!  They bring a high level of energy to music class!
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed singing action songs with everyone!
5th grade-- started a musical scavenger hunt activity to help me get to know them a littler faster
7th grade-- began reviewing music notation; started learning two songs off of MENC's 42 Songs Everyone Should Know--"America" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
3rd grade--started learning "Recycle Rap"
2nd grade--started learning how to read music/lyrics in a music book while singing "Do-Re-Mi"
1st grade--started learning movements on the beat to "Yankee Doodle" and sang "Apples and Bananas"
K-did movement activities, learned "Stretch Your Voice" chant and also learned "Classroom Dance"