May 30, 2011

Grade 7: This is week 15 in term 2. Students are expected to practise twice outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will review scales and song 45, "William Tell Theme". We will also review measures 36-the end of Big Raven. Our new song for the week is #91, "Day O". We will listen to a recording of this song on youtube and then learn about the new notes (clarinet low g and a) and the D. C. al fine.

During the second class, students will review all of "Big Raven" and "Day O". They will complete some written theory sheets and practise to for a playing test next week on "Big Raven".

Homework: finish theory sheets and practise song 91 and Big Raven for a test.

Grade 8: This is week 15 in term 2. Students are expected to practise twice outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will complete the homophonic section of their routine. They will practise performing it with the other sections and complete questions 24-35 in their booklet. Students will work on creating success criteria for the final performance.

During the second class, students will have their final practise and prepare for the assessment next week.

Homework: practise your parts for STOMP and be prepared to perform for a mark next week.

May 25, 2011

Grade 7: This is week 15 in term 2. Students should be practising twice outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will finish performing and/or listening to individual blues compositions. They will have an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the blues by assessing another student based upon the success criteria for a blues melody, harmony or lyrics.

During the second class of the week, students will work on song 45, "William Tell" and performing all of "Big Raven" as a class band.

Homework: practise William Tell and Big Raven.

Grade 8: This is week 15 in term 2. Students should be practising twice outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will complete the monophonic section of their Stomp routine and answer questions 14-23 in their booklet. They will begin the homophonic section and answer questions 23-35, ensuring that there is a variety of elements of dance included.

In some classes, students will listen to "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson and analyze how the elements of music contribute to the overt and implied messages of the song. (This lesson was designed to support students work media literacy and Language Arts.)

Homework: brainstorm ideas for the homophonic section and movement ideas to enhance the dance component of STOMP.

May 16, 2011

Grade 7: This is week 14 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will perform their blues compositions and complete a peer evaluation of another students' blues performance. Each student will receive 3 different marks: one for their written composition, one for their performance and one for their analysis of another students' work.

During the second class of the week blues performances will be completed and students will review all measures of "Big Raven" in preparation for a final assessment on this piece next week.

Homework: prepare for the blues performance and continue practising "Big Raven"

Grade 8: This is week 14 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students should have completed their polyphonic rhythm quiz and questions 1-10 in their STOMP booklet. They will begin working on the monophonic section of their STOMP performance. Students will be asked to include a variety of elements of dance and "tricks" in this section. Questions 14-23 should be completed in the STOMP booklet.

During the second class of the week, students will receive their marked "Music In Your World" projects. They will complete the monophonic section of their routine and the written work associated with this section in their booklet.

Homework: Students should practise their STOMP patterns and plan the next section of their group work.

May 9, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 13 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will finish any remaining Frere Jaques tests. Then we will play measures 52- end of Big Raven, and then the entire piece. The remaining class time will be for students to work on their blues compositions which are due in one week.

The second class of the week will be used for completing blues compositions and theory worksheets which review 1st and 2nd endings, key signatures and ties.

Homework: Students should be practising all of Big Raven and be perfecting the transitions from one section to another. Students should be completing their composing and their theory sheets.

Grade 8: This is practise week 13 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will have a polyphonic clapping quiz. They will complete questions 5-10 and the polyphonic section of their STOMP projects which should include 3 separate sections/movements.

During the second class of the week, students will begin their monophonic section. All students are expected to memorize and practise their STOMP patterns for homework. Students should come with ideas for the next sections.

Homework: Practise and memorize stomp patterns. Plan/think about patterns for the next class similar to those in the original STOMP performances.

May 2, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 12 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will review the newly revised major scale and song 76. We will take up the blues lyrics worksheets and continue Frere Jaques tests. Students will receive information about their culminating project on the blues, where they will be expected to perform an original blues composition with other classmates. A rubric and example will be shared with the class.

During the second class of the week, students will review Big Raven measure 52 to the end. Then students will begin composing their blues melody/harmony/lyrics on the back of their lyric worksheet.

Homework: continue to practise the revised major scale and begin your blues composition.

Grade 8:This is practise week 12 in term 2. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will have a quiz on reading and performing sixteen note rhythm patterns, and then will discuss the success criteria for their STOMP project. They will have time to rehearse their polyphonic sections with their "instruments".

During the second class of the week, students will learn about the elements of dance and receive a copy of the rubric for STOMP. They will begin working on adding movement to their polyphonic section.

Homework: students should continue to practise clapping/playing patterns of sixteenth notes and memorize their patterns for the group's polyphonic section. They should begin planning the music/movement for additional sections.