November 29, 2010

Grade 7: This is practise week 2 in term one. Students should practise two times outside of class time this week and have their practise record sheet signed by a parent or guardian.

During the first class of the week, we will warm up using long tones and tonguing exercises on each of the 4 notes of the scale learned in class. Then students will complete tests and hand in their self-evaluation form. They will try to improvise simple patterns using the song "Try For Three" and then perform songs from Staff Songs #3 together.

The second class of the week will focus on Staff Songs #4 using the new fourth note of the scale.

Homework: Students should be familiar with all songs on Staff Songs #3 and #4.

Grade 8:This is practise week 11 in term one. Students should practise two times outside of class time this week and have their practise record sheet signed by a parent or guardian.

During the first class of the week, students will be sharing journal #9 selections with the class. They should be prepared to read their journal entry and provide a listening link for the song they selected about war. They will listen to a few war songs and find common elements. All self-evaluations for war are due.

The second class of the week will focus on the second half of our unit, "Peace". We will brainstorm peace words, predict the use of elements in peaceful music, and then listen to Nimrod from The Enigma Variations by Elgar. We will create our own wish for peace inspired by the music. Finally, working with the 8 measure Hymn "Abide With Me", we will work on creating peace in our performance.

Learning contracts should be completed for The Thunderer this week and sections performed.

Homework: Students should practise The Thunderer and complete their Learning Contract reflection(s).

Homework:

Week of November 22, 2010

Grade 7: This is practise week 2 in term 1. All students should practise 2 or more times outside of class this week and have their practise record sheet signed.

During the first class of the week, students will receive a copy of the performance rubric for their first performance test. They will have a short time to prepare/review and then play one of the songs on Staff Songs 1 or 2 in pairs or small groups. During the testing period, students will also complete a short reflection and practise the clapping, letter names and fingering for the new songs on Staff Songs 3 and 4.

During the second class of the week, students will complete testing and begin staff songs 4.

Homework: Students should know all songs on Staff Songs 3 and 4 by practising with the 4 practise steps.

Grade 8: This is practise week 10 in term 1. All students should practise 2 or more times outside of class this week and have their practise record sheet signed.

During the first class of the week, final review and recording of War compositions will be completed. Self-evaluation rubrics are due this class. We discuss journal #9, and learn about one type of war music - the march.

During the second class of the week, students will receive a copy of a Music Learning Contract, and will begin studying and practising "The Thunderer", a piece by the march king, John Phillip Sousa. The contract deadline is one week from the start date, at which time students will be assessed.

Homework: War composing self-evaluations need to be handed in. Students need to complete the Learning Contract for "The Thunderer" and practise at least 2 times to complete the contract.

November 15, 2010

Grade 7: This is practise week 2 in term 1. All students should practise 2 times outside of class this week.

During the first class of the week, students will receive a Scale Chart where they will draw the 3 notes they have learned on the staff, their letter names and proper fingering. They will review all songs on Staff Song #1. Feedback will be given and opportunities to solo will be given. To improve note reading skills, students will play musical "Twister".

During the second class of the week, students will have Mad Minute race #2. After a scale warm-up, students will begin learning the songs on Staff Songs #2. Long durations (half note and dotted half note) will be introduced. Breath control will be discussed.

Homework: Practise Staff Songs #2.

Grade 8: this is practise week 9 in term 1. All students should practise 2 times outside of class this week.

During the first class of the week, students will complete the final performance/recording of their class composition for war. They will complete a self-evaluation based upon the rubric provided.

During the second class of the week, students will listen to a variety of recordings of music related to war such as marches, and rap performances. Students will begin "The Thunderer" by John Philip Souza.

Homework: Learn one section of "The Thunderer". Journal Question #9: Select a piece about war on the internet (youtube). Based upon your selection explain where the conflict occurred and what it was about; what purpose/point of view the music reflects about the conflict. Support your ideas by referring to the lyrics or the elements of music used.

Week of November 8, 2010

Grade 7: This is the first week of home practise; all grade 7 students are expected to practise twice outside of class and have their practise record sheet signed by their parent (if practising before/after school it will be signed by Mrs. Lerer).

During the first class of the week, we will review the treble clef and bass clef note reading homework sheets. We will learn how to sign out materials from the music library. With our instruments, we will warm up with long tones and tonguing, and practise three or more songs from Staff Songs #1 using the "perfect-practise" steps.

During the second class of the week, we will have a Mad-Minute note reading drill and then continue learning the songs on Staff Songs #1.

Homework: Students should be prepared to play any of the songs on Staff Songs #1 and their composition.

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

During our first class of the week, students will share thoughts about the trip to the Toronto Symphony. They will review response journal #7 assigned last week and share thoughts with stand partners and other instrument members. Once a plan for when and how each "war-word" theme will be used in our class composition, students will warm up and prepare to play the themes together. Students will have opportunities to play and listen to various combinations of the musical themes as they create a first draft of the composition. For next class, add expressive elements to the theme.

During the second class of the week, we will begin the March.

Homework: Practise the March, and war theme with expressive elements. Journal #8: After hearing a number of pieces from The Planets, but Gustav Holst, describe how did Gustav Holst use the musical elements differently in "Venus, The Bringer of Peace"?

Week of Nov. 1, 2010

Grade 7: During the first class of the week, we will go over last weeks' test on their selected instrument. Students will hand in their Instrument Assignment Forms and their completed Rhythm Composition #1. During the second class of the week, students will learn about reading pitch (letter names) on the treble and bass staves, and will receive their first sheet of songs for their instrument, Staff Songs 1 and 2. They will learn how to use the 4 practise steps to learn new songs on Staff Songs 1 and 2.

Homework: "Looking UP and Looking Down" and Theory sheet - treble clef or bass clef.

Grade 8: This is week 7 in term 1. Students should be practising twice outside of class this week.

During the first class this week, students will listen to additional selections from the program "Blast Off" in preparation for our trip to the Toronto Symphony on Thursday morning. While remaining playing tests on Chorale Elegant are given, students will work in teams to learn the "war-word-music" chosen for their instrument.

During the second class of the week, students will work in small groups to plan and organize how/when the "war-word-music" for their instrument will be used. A large graphic score will be created and played in class.

Homework: Practise your instrument group's "war-word-pattern" using dynamics and expression. Journal #7 After hearing the musical patterns for war selected by your class and learning the one for your instrument, explain how and when your pattern should be used in the composition. Describe how you would create meaning using dynamics, tempo and other expressive elements. Be prepared to support your answer.

Week of Oct. 25, 2010

Grade 7: During the first class of the week, students who ordered a mouthpiece will be receiving them. They will have a written test on the instrument they will be learning this year.

During the second class of the week, students will review and practise the 4 measure pattern they composed last week ("Composition #1") by clapping. They will clap their measures for a peer and then will work on keeping a steady beat and performing their two patterns together as a duet. Once they are successful, they will perform these pattern on their instruments, choosing letter names/sounds for each note.

Grade 8: This is practise week 6 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During our first class of the week, students will be tested on a section of Chorale Elegante as discussed in class last week. While students are being tested, others will work on composing a pattern/melody based upon their war-word web (journal #6).

During the second class, students will hear a modern piece on the topic of war, "Metastasis" by Iannis Xenakis and an example of live looping. This will help them understand how the patterns for the composition will be planned together. They will then try to sell their pattern/melody to the rest of their instrument group to be used in the final composition. The one selected by the group will be learned and practised for homework by all of the members of the group.

Week of: October 18, 2010

Grade 7: This week students in grade 7 will be deciding upon their first and second choice instruments. Final instruments will be assigned during music class based upon student preference, playing ability, instrument availability, and balance. Once assigned, students are expected to purchase materials for their instrument so that they can begin more intense study. All mouthpiece and reed orders must be in by Thursday, October 21, 2010. Students may go to local music retailers such as Long and McQuade, St. Johns Music or Harknett Music to purchase mouthpieces and reeds or rent instruments.

During the second class of the week, we will begin learning about beat and rhythm, and begin to read and perform simple patterns in 4/4 time.

Homework: Complete instrument choice form and materials order form. Bring in form by Thursday to purchase materials through the school. Complete composing with rhythm worksheet and study for a test on your chosen instrument which includes: names of the parts, how to assemble and disassemble it, how to clean it, which hand holds the weight, the letter names and fingerings of the three notes we have learned, how to form your lips to make a sound, what is delicate about it, etc.

Grade 8: This is practise week 5 in term 1. Students are expected to practise 2 times outside of music class this week.

During our first class of the week, students will receive a trip form (trip to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 4, 2010). Journal #5 will be discussed and practise record sheets will be checked. Students may participate in the chromatic scale race and then all students will work on the final A1 section of Chorale Elegant.

During our second class of the week, we will be brainstorming words about war. Students will consider how they will use the elements of music to compose 4 measure musical patterns based upon these words and then select the best melody to contribute to the class composition. Patterns will be written using graphic notation.

Homework: Trip forms due. Practise all of Chorale Elegant with phrasing and dynamics in preparation for a performance test next week. Journal question #6: Create a word web which includes your thoughts, feelings, impressions, images and beliefs about war.