April 25, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 11 in term 2. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, we will continue blues duet tests. Students will learn three new concepts which are included in song 76: triple metre, key signatures and 1st/2nd endings. They will use this information to perform song 76, "High Flying".

During the second class of the week, students will receive a worksheet reviewing the concepts covered. This worksheet will be begun in class and may be finished for homework.

Homework: Complete the worksheet and practise song 76.

Grade 8: This is practise week 11 in term 2. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

Any students who have not handed in their "Music In My World" project should do so on Tuesday. This week students will be working in their STOMP groups to complete the rhythm patterns for their polyphonic section and begin creating the movement for this section. They will need to decide upon the "instrument" that their group will use and will need to bring it to school for use during music classes.

Homework: Bring your "instrument" to school and be prepared to perform your composed rhythm pattern on it.

April 18, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 10 in term 2. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will hand in their listening journals. They will have a test on the elements of the blues. Information from the study sheet such as the history/context of the blues, blues melody, blues harmony, blues lyrics and blues rhythms will be included on this test.

During the second class of the week, students will review measures 52-60 of "Big Raven" and add measures 60 to the end. Playing tests on Frere Jaques will be continued.

Homework: Students should prepare for their tests, complete their journal and practise "Big Raven" measures 52 to the end.

Grade 8: This is practise week 10 in term 2. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will review the one-beat rhythm patterns which will be used in STOMP. The worksheet provided should be finished in class or for homework.

During the second class of the week, "Music In My World" projects are due for most classes. During the period, students will be identifying students who possess strengths in the areas of music, movement, leadership, organization and cooperation. These strengths will be considered as we form our STOMP groups of 8-9 students. Then we will begin defining roles within the group and begin composing the polyphonic section (many equally important musical ideas which are performed at one time) of our performance.

Homework: Students should complete their "Music in My World" project and hand it in. They should practise clapping and counting one beat patterns using their worksheet.

Week of April 11, 2011

Grade 7: This is week 9 in term 2. Students should practise at least 2 times outside of class this week.

During the first class of the week, students will continue to be evaluated on Frere Jaques Blues Duets (melody from song 54 and harmony from their 12 bar blues sheet). They will also continue applying riffs (jazzy rhythm patterns) to their 12 bar blues. They will review measures 1-35 of Big Raven. Listening Journals are due next class!

During the second class of the week, students will receive a blues lyrics worksheet, and learn about the topics and structure of blues song words. They will begin measures 52-60 in Big Raven. Listening Journals are due today!

Homework: Practise measures 1-35 and 52-60 of Big Raven.

Complete the Blues Lyrics worksheet.

Grade 8:This is week 9 in term 2. Students should practise at least 2 times outside of class this week.

During our first class of the week, students will watch the video "Stomp Out Loud" which introduces our new Stomp! unit, and allows students to consider how the elements of music and movement are used to create artistic performances.

During the second class of the week, students will have a rhythm lesson which introduces a variety of one-beat rhythm patterns using quarter, eighth and sixteenth patterns. In groups, they will compose an 8 beat pattern using these patterns, select an original object to "play" this pattern on, and perform it with other patterns to create a polyphonic composition.

Homework: continue work on "Music in Your World" project due by April 21, 2011.