8th Graders Compose Original Music, Student Reflections, and One "Dynamic" Activity

Listen to an original song composed today by eighth grade students Orlandria Johnson, Chasity Mosby, Chelsea Rainey, KeAndre Davis, and Westley Williams. These five students decided to write a rap song today during the first part of the class period. They went into a practice room and improvised on tubano drums and a gong until they found a groove they liked. Orlandria and Chasity wrote the lyrics and worked on their rap (rhythm). After rehearsing for a few minutes, the group set up in the classroom and performed the song heard on the recording (in one take!). Click here to read the lyrics. National Standards/Performance Indicators covered in this activity: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. Click here to read the National Standards for Music Education.

Today in general music, sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students wrote reflection papers on their first two weeks in class. The written works will be published here throughout the week. A few of the students read their work today and recorded it for this post.
Click the play button to listen to three of the reflections:

Continuing their study of dynamics, seventh- and eighth-grade students participated in a fun activity that helped reinforce the concept.
1. Students worked in groups of six - two groups playing at a time
2. Dynamic symbols (ff, f, mf, mp, p, pp) were written on scrap paper - one symbol per sheet, two sets of symbols (six symbols per set)
3. Teams gathered on one side of the classroom while Mr. Greene stood on the other side
4. The symbol sheets were balled up and tossed into the open space between the students and Mr. Greene
5. Each team scrambled to gather the papers, working together to organize the symbols in the correct dynamic order from loudest to softest
6. The student with the loudest level (ff) stood on a chair, and the other students in the group assembled in front of him/her in the appropriate order (see the pictures below for examples)

"My Instrument Project" Assigned Today & A Lesson in Dynamics

Two new vocabulary words were added to our list today: dynamics (the musical symbols that determine expressiveness, how loud or softly to perform) and timbre (the distinctive tone quality of an instrument). Students reviewed six standard symbols for dynamics and applied them to a performance on drums and chant. Here are the dynamic ranges and their corresponding symbols:

• ff (fortissimo) = extremely full or loud
• f (forte) = full or loud
• mf (mezzo forte) = medium loud
• mp (mezzo piano) = medium soft
• p (piano) = soft or quiet
• pp (pianissimo) = extremely soft or quiet

Students explored the different timbre of objects in the classroom such as books, doors, and metal stools, and experimented with different ways of making sounds with them. After selecting their object, students created short, improvised polyrhythmic pieces and performed in small groups. The performances may be repeated tomorrow and recorded for a podcast.

We also examined the five categories of instruments as determined by anthropologists: Aerophones, Idiophones, Membranophones, Chordophones, and Electrophones. Click Here to download the Instrumental Timbre categories and their descriptions. Print this handout and have your child complete it and turn it in for extra credit!

PROJECT INFORMATION
This week's project is "My Instrument", which students will prepare and create at home. The project objectives are for students to consider how sound is produced, experiment with different materials (such as metal, plastic, and wood), and create their own instrument from ordinary household items. Projects are DUE this FRIDAY, August 29th. Click Here to download the project guidelines and grading policy.

Check out these links to web sites that feature instructions
for making your own instruments.

• 9 Musical Instruments from Family Corner.com
• The Mudcat Cafe: Make Your Own Instruments
• Homemade Instruments from Wilcox Elementary, Springfield, IL (this is a great site for ideas!)
  

Students Comment on the Composer Series

Click on the play button to hear students' comments on the composers.

Our classroom Composer Series introduces students to different composers and musicians every week. So far, students have discovered Ludwig van Beethoven (Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 9), Carl Orff ("O fortuna" from Carmina Burana), and Samuel Barber ("Adagio for Strings"). In addition to listening to exemplary works from each composer, students will also:

• research biographical information such as place of birth (geography) and influences (culture)
• explore related historical periods
• analyze music, identifying style, instrumentation, and emotional response
• compare/contrast with music from other composers

Additionally, students will conduct online research in the classroom to create Composer Bio-Posters. The poster layouts will be designed by the students and include composer portraits, biographical information, and notable works. Bio-posters will be displayed in the classroom and here on our blog as they are completed.

6th Grade General Music Class Delivers a Brilliant Performance!

Click on the play button to hear the 6th grade performance.
Sixth-grade music students delivered a fantastic performance of their polyrhythmic piece on Friday, August 22nd. The fifth-period class put several vocabulary words into action for this performance - beat, tempo, rhythm, polyrhythm, notation, articulation, improvisation. A new vocabulary word - form - was introduced during this week's rehearsals. Students developed note reading skills, performance technique, and ensemble experience through this short unit. They also gained experience in working with others to achieve a common goal, a life skill that we will continue to emphasize throughout the semester. Click on the photo to view a larger image of the group.

7th and 8th Graders Successfully Complete Polyrhythm Compositions

Seventh and Eighth grade general music students performed their polyrhythm compositions today, clearly demonstrating an understanding of the strong connection between speech (language arts) and rhythm. Great job, everyone!
Click on the play button to hear one of the 8th grade performances.

The notation above was written by the 8th grade group heard performing on the recording. Click on the picture to view a larger image of the work. The students accurately notated their rhythms and selected words from their theme (candy) with matching syllables and stress.

Click on the play button to hear one of the 7th grade performances.

The notation above was written by the 7th grade group heard performing on the recording. Click on the picture to view a larger image of the work. The students accurately notated their rhythms and selected words from their theme (sports) with matching syllables and stress.

Week 2 Update

Welcome new subscribers! I'm adding this post to make sure it is being received by everyone who subscribed, and to let you know what we're working on in class this week.

7th and 8th Grade General Music: We continue to build a strong working vocabulary. The students will create a vocabulary post this week listing their words and definitions.

Both grades are creating their own three- and four-part polyrhythm compositions that will be performed and recorded for a post at the end of this week. Students are working in small groups, choosing a theme (such as sports, cars, or shoes), and selecting related words that fit specific rhythms. One objective is to emphasize the connection between speech (language arts) and rhythm. Students will also gain experience working in groups, performing independent parts in a polyrhythmic setting, and speaking/chanting their rhythms accurately on a steady beat.

6th Grade General Music: Sixth graders are developing an original composition that will be recorded and posted later this week. The composition includes singing, drumming, polyrhythmic percussion parts, bass guitar, and improvised djembe (drum) solos. Sixth graders are also developing a working vocabulary.

All general music classes are participating in the Composer Series
, exploring notable composers and musicians from various eras and genres. Last week, we listened to exemplary works from Ludwig van Beethoven and Carl Orff. Later this week, students will add a post discussing the composers and music they have discovered from the series.

7/8 Choir: Our choir is developing a rehearsal routine that includes efficient warm-up activities, good tone production, and singing in multiple parts (harmony). A post of our rehearsals can be expected later this week.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have. I look forward to communicating with you regularly throughout the semester and sharing the progress and accomplishments of your children. Hope you enjoy following this blog and our Network.

Sincerely,
Mr. Greene

Our First Classroom Podcast

Click on the play button to listen to our podcast.

Our first classroom podcast features an introduction from sixth graders Jauhara Muhammad and Antario Ross. The drumming is from Thursday's eighth grade rehearsal of a three-part polyrhythm. Next week's entries will include more performances, a vocabulary update, images from the classroom, and reports on our Composer Series.

Off to a Great Start

The first three days of classes have been very productive. Students have already begun reading and notating rhythms, performing on drums and percussion, and developing a working music vocabulary. Tomorrow we will kick off our Composer Series by introducing students to Ludwig van Beethoven and Carl Orff. We will also be preparing for our first classroom blog entry. On Friday, students will record performances of their original polyrhythmic percussion pieces and discuss their first week in general music class. The recordings will be posted to the blog by the end of the day on Friday.

Thank you for subscribing to our blog. I'm looking forward to communicating with all of you on a regular basis through the RMS Music & Media Network and blog. Please contact me with any questions or comments you may have.

Mr. Greene