February 28, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 4 in term 2.
Due to special programs and the shortened week of Feb. 21st, we will continue with the lessons which were begun last week:

During the first class of the week, we will listen to part of a requiem - a mass for the dead. Both "Dies Irae" from Requiem in D minorand La Crimosa from Requiem in G minor were composed by Mozart and used in the church service. Listening question #6 is: What do you feel and imagine as you listen to this piece, and which of the elements of music are most important in creating mood in this piece?
We will complete rhythm quizzes which require students to clap and count out loud for 4 measures of music in 4/4 time. We will also review the pentatonic scale to prepare students for their pentatonic duets/trios. Groups will be asked to perform their pentatonic Chinese New Year compositions for the class.
During the second class of the week, we will continue with performances and tests. Students will be introduced to the notes of the minor scale and are expected to practise song #49 in Essential Elements 2000. (

Grade 8: This is practise week 4, in term 2.
Due to the Muskowka Woods trip and special schedules during the week of Feb. 21st, we will continue with the lessons which were begun last week:

During the first class of the week, students will recieve a copy of the "Checklist for Greatness". We will discuss the checklist and begin evaluating music brought in by students using these criteria. We will create a list of "great songs" as determined by each class. We will review measures 23-38 of "Jai Ho"
During the second class of the week, students will continue to listen to examples of music and refine "Jai Ho" measures 1-38. For homework, students are expected to learn measures 39-54.(Due to the short week, some classes will have only one music period this week, so this lesson may be taught next week.)

February 21, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 3 in term 2.

During the first class of the week, we will listen to part of a requiem - a mass for the dead. Both "Dies Irae" from Requiem in D minor and La Crimosa from Requiem in G minor were composed by Mozart and used in the church service. Listening question #6 is: What do you feel and imagine as you listen to this piece, and which of the elements of music are most important in creating mood in this piece?

We will complete rhythm quizzes which require students to clap and count out loud for 4 measures of music in 4/4 time. We will also review the pentatonic scale to prepare students for their pentatonic duets/trios. Groups will be asked to perform their pentatonic Chinese New Year compositions for the class.

During the second class of the week, we will continue with performances and tests. Students will be introduced to the notes of the minor scale and are expected to practise song #49 in Essential Elements 2000. (Due to the short week, some classes will have only one music period this week, so this lesson may be taught next week.)

Grade 8: This is practise week 3, in term 2.

During the first class of the week, students will recieve a copy of the "Checklist for Greatness". We will discuss the checklist and begin evaluating music brought in by students using these criteria. We will create a list of "great songs" as determined by each class. We will review measures 23-38 of "Jai Ho"

During the second class of the week, students will continue to listen to examples of music and refine "Jai Ho" measures 1-38. For homework, students are expected to learn measures 39-54.

(Due to the short week, some classes will have only one music period this week, so this lesson may be taught next week.)

Week of Feb. 14, 2010

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Grade 7: This is practise week 2 in term 2. Students are expected to practise twice this week for homework.

During the first class of the week, students will listen to "Got My Mojo Workin" and answer journal question #4: What does this music remind you of and why? They will be using their knowledge of the pentatonic scale to create and perform original duets or trios for Chinese New Year. They will also be asked to demonstrate their understanding of rhythm by performing 4 bars of rhythm while counting out loud "1 + 2+ 3+ 4+".

During the second class of the week, students will review song #42, Skip To My Lou and perform their pentatonic melodies. If time permits, they will learn how to play the minor scale which includes two new notes for song #49 "Hey Ho Nobody Home".

Homework: Journal question #4, pentatonic performances; song #49.

Grade 8:

This is practise week 2 in term 2. Students are expected to practise twice this week for homework.

During the first class of the week, students will review measures 1-26 of Jai Ho and begin measures 26-38. Only students who have learned this section will perform in class. In groups, students will discuss what makes a great piece of music, and create a list of 10 essential elements all great pieces of music share.

During the second class of the week, we will continue measures 26-38 in Jai Ho and develop consensus for our "Checklist for Greatness". We will listen to two or more of musical examples to determine whether they are "great" based upon our checklist.

Homework: Practise Jai Ho measures 1-38.

Week of Feb. 7, 2011

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

During our first class of the week, we will review "William Tell" (song 45) while counting eighth notes to improve rhythmic accuracy. Any students who have not completed listening #1-4 will have this week to do so. We will also create an original pentatonic composition using patterns which are composed and improvised.

During our second class we will continue our study of rhythm by performing many patterns as we count out loud. We will begin "Skip To My Lou" in Essential Elements 2000.

Homework: Revise/complete music journals 1-4 and practise "Skip To My Lou".

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

During our first class of the week, we will review measures 9-23 of "Jai Ho" and add measures 1-9. Students should focus on the new elements such as new fingerings for high notes, accents, new rhythm patterns etc.

During our second class of the week, students will listen to the original theme from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" and compare it to the band arrangement. We will also discuss whether we believe it to be a great piece of music and why. Students will be expected to demonstrate their playing measures 1-23 for a mark.

Homework: Practise measure 1-23 of "Jai Ho".

Homework:

Week of January 31, 2011

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

During the first class of the week, we will begin with Listening Journal example #4, "01- Xi Qing (Joyous Celebration)". For homework, students will answer the following question: This music is meant for celebration. Describe the musical elements you hear that make you think of celebration. (Listen for tonality, tone colour, metre and how they make the music feel celebratory.) We will review song 30 in our book and begin song #45, "William Tell" which includes a pick-up. To improve rhythm reading skills, students will learn how to count eighth notes (1+2+3+4+) as they play.

During the second class, there will be a journal check and a review of counting eighth notes and song 45.

Homework: Journal question 4 and song #45.

Grade 8: This is practise week 18 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will complete their score study for "Jai Ho" and research information to complete their understanding of the score. With their instrument section or small group, they will work on a section from measures 1-23.

During the second class of the week, students will continue their work on "Jai Ho" and will be expected to demonstrate their progress in instrument groups and as a whole class.

Homework: Practise measures 1-23 of "Jai Ho".

Week of Jan. 24, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 7 in term 1. Students are expected to practise two times or more outside of class.

During our first class this week, we will begin with listening example #3, "Flatbush Waltz". (Klezmer is a musical style which began in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, and consists of dance tunes and pieces for celebrations. Flatbush is the area in New York City where many Jewish immigrants settled in the 1900s.)

Journal question #3 is: What did "Flatbush Waltz" remind you of, and in order of importance, describe the 4 musical elements which were most important in creating that connection for you.

Many students will perform their Tortoise and Hare composition for a mark, while other classmates work in pairs on "London Bridge Duet" from Essential Elements 2000. For the duet, the goal is to develop independence when playing in parts.

After our Mad Minute drill in class two, we will continue our performances of "London Bridge Duet" and Tortoise and Hare compositions. If time permits, will begin "The Theme from William Tell", song # 45; students will learn about pick-ups and counting with "ands" where they see eighth notes.

Homework: Students should practise "The Theme From William Tell" in Essential Elements 2000, and complete journal question #3 above.

Grade 8: This is practise week 17 in term 1. Students are expected to practise two times or more outside of class.

During the first class of the week, students will perform their Peace Hymns. After performing, they will hand in their written composition and their completed self-evaluation form. Students will receive a copy of the band piece "Jai Ho", the theme song from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" which brings us into our new unit for term 2: Music of the World.

Homework: Practise measures 1-31 of Jai Ho.

Week of Jan. 17, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 6 in term 1. For homework, students should practise twice outside of class this week.

During class one, we will begin by listening to In The Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpzxKsSEZg

For homework, finish answering listening log question #2:

If this music was a scene from a movie, what do you think is happening and why? (Support your answer by describing at least 3 elements of music.)

We will review the two assigned songs from Staff Songs 6 and hear each instrument group perform at least one of these songs. If time permits, students will practise their Tortoise and Hare composing which is due next class.

During the second class of the week, we will discuss the listening example for the week and learn more about the story Peer Gynt. Students will explore ways to perform songs from Staffsongs # 6 to communicate different moods. Tortoise and Hare compositions will be collected today.

Homework: Complete Listening Journal #2 and practise London Bridge duet part A.

Grade 8: This is practise week 15 in term 1. For homework, students should practise twice outside of class this week.

During the first class of the week, students will work with their partners to complete their Hymn For Peace Duet or Trio. They will practise their arrangement in preparation for performing it during their next class.

During the second class of the week, students will perform their duets/trios and complete the rubrics for composing and performing which were handed out last week. Rubrics and written compositions are to be handed in.

Homework: Students should begin their new band piece.