... 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