November 19, 2012

Grade 6:
Our goals for this week are to complete last week's unfinished work due to the field trip (composing, reading and performing a melodies using do, mi and sol), and continue learning Shalom in parts.
During our first class, students will get their marked projects back. Then, we will review the first section of Shalom focusing on the rhythm, and begin the second section. We review using do, mi and sol using C as do, and compose a simple melody using at least 8 pitches.
During the second class of the week, students will practise and perform their melodies. Students will learn about movable do and how to read and perform simple patterns with do in different places.

Grade 7:
This is practise week 2 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class and having a parent or teacher sign their practise record sheet. Our goals for this week are to complete our form composing performances, learn Staff Songs 2 and be able to read/play fluidly using the 3 letter names learned.
During our first class, remaining groups will perform their composition on form for a mark. If time permits, we will review Staff Songs 1 and the dotted note. We will begin Staff Songs #2.
During our second class of the week, we will begin with Mad Minute reading drills and then complete staff songs 2 using the dotted half note. If time permits, students will receive Staff Songs 3 and should learn the first song for homework.
Homework:
Students should practise Staff Songs 1 and 2 focusing on problem solving and fluidity.

Grade 8:
This is practise week 10 in term 2. Students should have 20 practise record sheet signatures by the end of this week. Our goals for this week are to complete our war performances, know Tempest measures 1-44, and understand how composers use passing/non-chord tones.
During our first class of the week, remaining groups will perform their war compositions. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of Tempest measures 1-32 or more. We will review chords and play peaceful chords we created during last class. If time permits, we will discuss passing tones.
During our second class of the week, students will have a performance test on Sousa and we will learn about passing tones by playing Abide with Me and identifying the non-chord tones.
Homework: Prepare for the playing test on Sousa and review identifying chord and passing tones. Practise ms 32-60 of Tempest.