Instrumental Practice, Grades K-5

Over the last several weeks, every grade level has gotten some exposure to various instruments. Here's what we've been doing:

Kindergarten: Maracas ("Baby Llama"). To play the maracas, hold one upright in each hand. Keep wrists still and gently punch the air in front of you. We should never knock the maracas together or pound them on the floor.

1st grade: Hand drums, rhythm sticks, woodblocks, and triangles ("Jungle Beat" and "Instrument Practice"). Each instrument has a distinctive sound.

2nd and 3rd grade: Rhythm sticks and bell kits ("Yankee Doodle," "Fire in the Mountain," and "Chicken on a Fencepost").

• To play rhythm sticks: hold one hand still and gently move the other hand to tap the sticks together. For longer note values, one stick scrapes gently across the other. 3rd graders had a variation where they gently practiced their cross-over technique, as well as sixteenth notes, by gently tapping the sticks on the floor. Rhythm sticks should never be pounded on the floor or used aggressively on oneself or on others.
• To play bell kits, as well as glockenspiels and xylophones, hold mallets firmly in both hands and gently bounce the head of the mallet on the key. We don't want to press the mallet onto the key and hold it there, because the sound will not resonate, or ring out.

4th and 5th grade: Tubano drums, maracas, and xylophones ("Take Time in Life," "Water Come a-Me Eye," and "Cotton Eye Joe").

Ask your student to sing one of the above for you!

4th and 5th Grade General Music

After Fall Break, 4th and 5th grade general music classes will be starting on recorders.

SIMONTON: Students who already have their own recorder are welcome to bring it, or to buy one on their own. Otherwise, the school has a supply of recorders for student use. They belong to the school and will remain at school.

RANCH: Students who already have a recorder are welcome to bring it, or to buy one on their own. Otherwise, I will be collecting recorder money. I will collect $1.00 from each student who needs a recorder and the PTO will purchase them for us. They will remain at school, but will belong to the students once the school year is over.

Please e-mail me with questions and concerns: ejones@jocombs.k12.az.us

Ranch Chorus

We are off and running. Chorus started yesterday with an enthusiastic bunch. If your child still wants to participate, there's still time! Please fill out and sign BOTH a registration form (e-mail, phone numbers, etc.) and a Rules and Expections form. Students can turn them in to their teachers, put them in my teacher mailbox or bring them to me.

Remember, any 4th or 5th grade student who wants to participate in Chorus needs to plan to stay after school every MONDAY and have a ride home promptly at 3:45.

RANCH CHORUS!

The big day is finally here! 4th and 5th grade chorus starts today. Any Ranch student in 4th or 5th grade is welcome to be a part of the Chorus. We will be learning music to be presented in concert in December. Students need to fill out both a Chorus Registration form, and a signed and initialed Rules and Expectations Form. All chorus students who have turned in both forms by the end of the month will receive a treat. We will meet every Monday after school and dismiss at 3:45 PM. Remember, there is NO late bus, so students involved in Chorus will need to have a ride home.

LET THE SINGING BEGIN!

2nd and 3rd Grade

Get ready, second and third graders! We are going to present a patriotic music program in November (date TBA). It is going to showcase some of the traditional patriotic music we've been learning ("America"), some folk songs with play parties ("Fire in the Mountain" and "Chicken on a Fencepost"), and other songs, as well as a salute to our men and women in uniform, past and present. Each class will be featured in some way, either by playing instrumental accompaniment, or by presenting a play party or game. I am also looking for two boy scouts who can fold a flag, so if you would like to volunteer, please contact me!