December 10, 2012

Grade 6:
This week our goals are to complete "Shalom" and "Alleluia" and record them for our website. We will also continue reading and playing patterns of do-mi-sol on the staff and learn new pitch "la".
During our first class of the week, we will review "Alleluia" and finish "Shalom". If ready, we will record ourselves and reflect on our performance, identifying the elements at which we are successful and the elements which we need to improve.
During our second class of the week, we will review do-mi-sol patterns using movable do and add "la"  to the patterns we read and sing. We will continue to practise our choir music and re-record if ready.
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Grade 7:
This is week 5 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week and should have 10 practise record sheet signatures by the end of the week.
Our goals for this week are to demonstrate an understanding of performance success criteria and use those criteria to achieve a level 3 or higher of their Jingle Bells playing test this week.
During our first class of the week, we will begin with note and rhythm reading drills. Then students will co-create the success criteria for performers, set performance goals for themselves, and learn about some practise strategies which will help them to reach their goals.  They will have time in class to apply these strategies. If time permits, we will review the scale and Staff Songs 4.
During the second class of the week, students will demonstrate their reading and playing ability by performing "Jingle Bells" with a partner and reflecting on the performances they hear, and their own practise and performance.
Homework: complete goal-setting sheet and prepare for the "Jingle Bells" playing test.

Grade 8:
This is week 13 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week and should have 26 practise signatures by the end of the week.
Our goals for this week are to complete "Jingle Bell Rock" and to complete our Peace Song Poster Projects.
During our first class of the week, students will form groups of 4 and share the peace songs they wrote about for homework. As a group, they will select their favourite peace song. Using the Poster Project handout, groups will agree upon tasks/roles for each member and complete/print their portion of the poster project for homework. This poster will be finished in class and presented orally at the end of class or during the following period. (One member will be printing and analyzing the message(s) communicated by the lyrics and sharing that information, one member will be researching the history and context of the song and sharing that information, one member will be analyzing the musical elements which create a song of peace and sharing that information, and the last member will find and print a graphic which represents the mood/moral of the song and analyze how the visual elements (shape, line, rhythm, etc.) relate to the lyrics and the message of the song to present to the class.
Homework:Complete the research for your peace song poster and prepare to present it to the class. Practise "Jingle Bell Rock".