... And the students go "BOOM!"

As promised in my previous post, here is a peek at our week with Boomwhackers:

Kindergarten:
Kindergarten is using Boomwhackers for the first time. We worked on holding procedures as well as playing procedures. Students now know how to hold the instrument when we are NOT playing, how to strike their hands with the tube to make sound, and how to put the Boomwhacker back on our "rainbow wall" where the instruments hang.

My kinders are working hard on playing "the way the words" go to Ebeneezer Sneezer. This is a GREAT song to review High vs Low as well as prepare them for learning new rhythms next year in 1st grade. We use a SMARTboard projection to show them the words they are to play and with what color. This has been a great introduction to music reading as well:

We got some "Wacky 'Whacker" pictures on Friday with Mrs. Tongen's class!

1st Grade:

First Grade is using Boomwhackers to review "ta" - Quarter Note- and "ti ti" - Eighth Notes - by composing using out Pocket Chart!

Each student had the opportunity to create a 4 beat pattern using any of 5 pitches from the C scale. We first had to learn that a single block of color equaled a Quarter Note but a Double block of color equaled an paired Eighth Note! They then placed their rhythms in the pockets of the chart and the class was able to perform the composition as a class on their Boomwhackers! It has been great for the 1st graders music reading skills as well as their composing skills! We have really enjoyed playing our classmates compositions and creating our own!

We had a get a nice picture with out Boomwhackers AND a silly one! Here is Mrs. Kolehmainen's Class showing off their Boomwhackers!

2nd Grade:
2nd Grade is really showing how Strong of musicians they are! We have been working on ostinato on our Boomwhackers. An ostinato is a rhythmic pattern that repeats itself. We first reviewed our ostinati on the SMARTboard and had individual colors play according to the box that each rhythm was in:

+After the students were comfortable with their rhythms we explored the other rhythms by trading colors several times.

Then, students were ready to layer the ostinati together by playing them simultaniously. The result is an incredible and intricate rhythmic and melodic piece. Please find your students class below and listen to the sound clips I captured of each class playing this amazing musical piece. Each class has their own little differences that really make the piece shine!

Mr. Hammerschmidt

Mrs. Sky

Mrs. Schneider 

***Note: When clicking the attached link, you will be rerouted the Soundcloud website. Simply click play***

I could not be prouder of the work that the students have done with Boomwhackers this past week! They worked so hard and definitely are reaping the benefits of accomplishing great musical progress! Please ask your students about the Boomwhacker and allow them to share their stories with you! 

I would also LOVE to hear what they have to say... If you would, please share any stories your little musician shares in the comment section below! :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Abby Hoselton 

2nd Grade Music Classroom 

I have to apologize. This post comes MUCH later than I originally intended! Life sure does get busy here at MLE. But, here we go...

The 2nd graders have been working on several new concepts this year in music. Here is a quick overview of what they have learned! 

Our first few weeks of school found us working on past concepts of quarter notes and rests and paired eighth notes which helped us transition to our brand new note: Half Notes! We learned that these notes are longer than quarter notes and get 2 beats of sound!

We continued work on independent singing and part work and can now sing a round successfully in 3 parts. A musical round occurs when multiple voices sing a song in unison but begin at different times so that different points in the melody coincide. We sang and played with songs such as Sally Go Round the Sun, Row Row Row your Boat, and Now We'll make the Rafters Ring!

Ostinato is an all new concept for 2nd graders this year. An ostinato is a rhythmic and/or melodic pattern that repeats itself. Students improvised and composed their own ostinati while we worked on this new concept. Classes were even able to vote on and pick their individual themes for their ostinati compositions!

Our most recent adventure has taught us the most advanced rhythmic concept yet... The sixteenth note! Students are now familiar with its name, its rhythmic duration, how to count it and how to read it! We have been experiencing 16th notes through the use of several different flashcards, folk songs, a folk dance, and a new game called "KA-BOOM!" that the kids are begging to play each day! 

Please feel free to ask your students about this new game at home and see what they think! :) 

The 2nd grade music classes have been growing into strong musicians all year and will continue to prepare for new 3rd grade concepts next year as the school days draw to an end! 

ALL PARENTS: Please keep posted, as next week we will be utilizing Boomwhackers across all classrooms in K-2 music! It is sure to be a bright and colorful time! :)

***For more information on Boomwhackers, please see the following post from last year which offers a complete explanation!

Enjoy the up and coming spring weather! 

Musically yours,

Mrs. Abby Hoselton