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