February 22, 2010

Grade 7: This is week one of term 3. Students should have practised 2 times outside of class this term. In class this week, students will submit their term 2 practise record and receive a new one for term 3.

One of our goals for term 3 is developing independence - the ability to play a melody while other instruments around us play different notes and at different times. Students will play the round "Frere Jaques", song #54 in Essential Elements 2000, and choose a partner to learn the duet "Aura Lee, song #53. (The melody for song 53 is the same as "Love Me Tender" recorded by Elvis Presley. Students can listen to it on Youtube.) Students will also review the major and minor scales to learn about which combinations of notes create consonance or dissonance. Homework: practise song 53 and perform in class with a partner (duet).

Grade 8: This is week one of term 3. Students should have practised 2 times outside of class this term. In class this week, students will complete any final additions to the Blues Timeline 1900-2010. In groups, they will review the information on the timeline to identify when important changes occured in the sound of the blues and what influenced those changes. (wars, electrification of instruments, job opportunities, etc.) Then, they will work in groups to identify when each of ten "mystery" recordings were made. Homework: bring in your recordings of "great" songs in any style next week to begin our next unit.

February 15, 2010

Grade 7: This is week 1 of term 3. Students should have practised two times outside of class this term. During our first class of the week, we will be reviewing the major and minor scales and song #49. We will complete our self-evaluations and listen to student performances of compositions, evaluating the mood created.

During the second class of the week, we will continue listening to compositions and developing our ability to play independent parts. Homework includes songs 53 and 54.

Grade 8:
This is week one of term 3. Students should have practised 2 times outside of class this term. During classes this week, students will finish their group performances of the blues. We will visit the computer lab to research a fact about the blues to place on the Grade 8 Blues Time-line which span pre-1900 to 2010.

February 8, 2010

Grade 7: This is week 11 in term 2. Students should have practised 22 times outside of class. Students will receive a new scale sheet, and learn the two new notes/fingerings required to play a minor scale. The class will play song #49, which uses notes from the minor scale and a 2/4 time signature. Students will receive feedback on their culminating composing project based upon the theme from William Tell, and will be asked to complete any final revisions in preparation for performing the B section during the second class of the week. Homework: practise their B section from composition 4, the minor scale and song 49.

During the second class of the week, students will review the minor scale, song 49, and perform their sad/scary version of "William Tell". Homework: continue to practise their compositions and song #100 in Essential Elements 2000.

Grade 8: This is week 11 in term 2. Students should have practised 22 times outside of class. During this week, students will perform their original blues songs in groups. This is the part of the culminating project demonstrating an understanding of the historical context and musical elements of the blues. Homework: Students should prepare for their blues performances and any remaining article presentations.

Week of February 1, 2010

Grade 7:
This is week 10 in term 2; students should have practised 20 times outside of class. The first lesson of the week will provide time for students to revise and edit their composing for the culminating task - composition #4. They will work on the A (happy/peaceful) and B (sad/scary) sections of their background music and practise playing it. Homework: complete both sections and be prepared to perform next class.

During the second class of the week students will perform their melodies for each other and/or for Mrs. Lerer and edit based upon peer feedback. They will complete the artist's reflection. Compositions will be collected at the end of this class. Homework: practise song #49 in Essential Elements.

Grade 8:
This is week 10 in term 2; students should have practised 20 times outside of class this term. During the first class of the week, students will begin sharing the information they summarized from an article on the blues. Students will have half of the class to practise their culminating blues performance with in thier chosen groups. Written portions of the culminating task will be collected.
Homework: practise for the performance portion of the culminating task - blues song.

During the second class, students will continue sharing information about the blues article they read. Students will begin presenting the performance portion of their culminating task - their final blues song - for evaluation.