6th Grade General Music Completes "Scary Movies" Integrated Unit

6th grade students from Mr. Greene's 3rd period general music class completed their 'Scary Movies' project last month. The projects are the culminating works from an integrated unit involving language arts and communication skills, technology, visual arts, and music composition and performance. Watch the three films below, then read the unit overview at the bottom of this post.

TALENT SHOW TERROR

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I'M BACK!

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HALLOWEEN NIGHT

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Scary Movies UNIT OVERVIEW
Working in small groups, students will create short scary films following a specific sequence of activities:

1. Write a short story with a scary theme
2. Record (read) the stories with a digital audio recorder creating a wav file that will be used as a narration
 track in the finished product - read stories with expression appropriate for the theme
3. Compose and record an original musical score for the film using keyboards, drums, percussion, and
 non-traditional sound sources - experiment with specific musical elements: ostinato, form, dissonance, tonality,
 polyrhythm, dynamics, texture
4. Film the movie in the classroom experimenting with lighting and perspective - considering editing
 possibilities throughout the filming process
5. Photograph images for use in the film - characters, scenes, etc.
6. Edit the film on the computer using video editing software - add all components: narration, music, and footage

EXTENSION: Create a movie poster to promote the film (connection to visual arts) - Students will analyze vintage horror movie posters (e.g. Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein) and develop ideas for their own film posters.

Students will make creative decisions regarding film style, musical score, and the overall look and feel of the film (visual and audio effects); Students will work cooperatively with each other and have opportunities to contribute their personal strengths - writing, speaking, designing, acting, filming, working with computers/software.

Dr. Hamer visits during second LIVE classroom exchange

Eighth grade general music students participated in their second live classroom exchange with Ms. Lubinski's string students in Fairfax, Virginia. The event took place on Thursday, November 12th, the same day as the MCS Student Exhibitions. During our live Google video chat, we were visited by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Irving Hamer, our principal Ms. Henry, and assistant principal Mr. Ryan. The video below features highlight from the event.

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A third live exchange with the Virginia students has been tentatively scheduled for January 28th. Our global connections continue to grow with several online exchanges scheduled with classrooms in Mexico, Belgium, France, Nepal, and other countries. More information on our global connections will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

RMS General Music Class Holds First Live Web Chat with VA Students

On Tuesday, November 10th, 2009, RMS 8th grade General Music students participated in their first live classroom exchange via Google Video Chat. The exchange was between our students here in Memphis and elementary string students in Fairfax, Virginia.

I met string teacher Maggie Lubinski at MENC's Music Education Week in Washington DC last June and invited her to participate in a live classroom exchange using an online application such as Skype or Google Video Chat. We tested the Google video chat technology in October - without students in our classrooms - to make sure we could see and hear each other clearly. The connection was better than expected, so we went ahead with our plans for a November classroom exchange.

The video below highlight the November 10th exchange. A second exchange with Ms. Lubinski's studnets took place on Thursday, November 12th, and will be featured in our next blog post.

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First RMS Expressions Retreat at Safari is a Success!

On Sunday, November 1st, RMS general music students participated in the first "Expressions Retreat" at Safari on South Main Street, Downtown Memphis. The event was created to give music students an opportunity to perform in the community and showcase their creativity through original poetry, songs, world drumming, visual art, and multimedia presentations. Parents and RMS administrators who attended the event were treated to an afternoon of entertainment, food, and fun. Our "Retreat" was featured in the Local News section of the Commercial Appeal on Monday, November 2nd.

The second Expressions Retreat is planned for May, 2010, coinciding with Memphis in May festivities. The second event will include music students from the second semester as well as students who participated in the first event on November 1st. The plan is to make the retreat a regular event at the end of each semester.

Watch the video clips of our Expressions Retreat poets below.

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RMS General Music Students Connect with Students in Nepal, South Dakota, and other parts of the World

RMS general music students have been using web sites and online applications Voicethread and Classroom 2.0 to connect with students around the globe, participating in meaningful conversation and engaging activities. Our most recent connections include cultural exchanges with students in Nepal and South Dakota.

The students we have met in Nepal live and attend school in the rural area of Bhaktapur. They do not have computers in their school or in their homes. In fact, they often depend on the generosity of volunteers and donors for basic school supplies. We have seen each other through images and video posted online. We have also exchanged poetry and autobiographical writings through email and postings on Classroom 2.0, a Facebook-like site for educators who utilize technology in education. We have become friends and will continue to collaborate and learn from each other. You can see our friends from the SAV school in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on teacher Govinda Prasad Panthy's Classroom 2.0 page.

Another ongoing collaboration is with students at Wolf Creek School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. We have used Voicethread to exchange video and audio content with each other. We are currently discussing the traditional Lakota Hoop Dance. Our latest Voicethread post features RMS students asking specific questions about the dance, its history, and cultural significance. Visit teacher Jeannine Metzger's Classroom 2.0 page to learn more. You can see and hear the Pine Ridge Voicethread exchange below. Click the play button to begin the presentation.



For more information on voicethread, visit our Voicethread Forum on our Music & Media Network.

RMS Students Make All Southwest Junior Honor Choir!

Eighth grade students Alex Claxton (alto) and Isiah Rankin (bass) sang their way into the All Southwest Junior Honor Choir at the November 7th auditions. Both students received high scores from the judges and will represent Ridgeway Middle School at the All Southwest Honor Choir Concert on Saturday, November 14th. The concert begins at 2:00 PM and will be held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. CONGRATULATIONS!

This year marks our strongest showing at the All SW auditions with 16 students participating. Several students received very high marks from the judges and just missed the cut by only a few points. I would like the choir students to know that I am very proud of them for working hard over the past several weeks, showing up on Saturday and doing their best. Thanks to all parents for their support with rehearsals and getting their children to Saturday's auditions.

Hope to see everybody at the RMS Holiday Concert on Tuesday evening, December 10th, at 6:00 PM.

Study Groups Help Students in the Classroom AND Online!

Watch the video below to see the third period sixth grade general music class working in their study groups. Find out how this effective component puts students in control of their learning.

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New Web Site, New Features

Our updated Music & Media Network features new content and new departments. For instance, our STUDY department includes web-based, interactive review games such as "Fling the Teacher" and "Hoop Shoot." It also includes links to flash card sets on Quizlet, an online application that allows students to choose how they study and how they take tests.

Another new feature on our Music & Media Network is the Voicethread Forum, an online application that allows students and parents to communicate through text, voice, or video comments. This new technology makes it easy for anyone to participate in one of our discussion.

Click here to visit our Music & Media Network. Feel free to play a game in the STUDY department or leave a comment in our Voicethread Forum.

Choir and Dance Team Film Music Video

The RMS Choir and Dance Team recorded a music video for the traditional Zambian song "Bonse Aba" on Friday, October 31st, in the RMS auditorium. The song was performed at the Oktoberfest Concert on October 23rd and will also be performed at the FedEx Forum on Friday, December 12th, when the RMS Choir and Dance Team perform on the court just before the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Chicago Bulls!

The choir recorded the audio track in the choir room, then created a CD of their recording on the computer. Next, the choir and dancers moved to the auditorium and performed along with the CD recording while the video was filmed. Finally, the audio track was mixed with the video tracks using video editing software. The result can be seen below.

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Seventh and Eighth Grade Students Hold Live Political Debate

Seventh and eighth grade students held a live debate on Friday afternoon, October 31st, in the RMS auditorium. Students spoke passionately and knowledgeably about the presidential candidates and the issues affecting all Americans - the economy, health care reform, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event was moderated by Mrs. Causey and organized by Dr. Boyle and Mr. Washington. In the end, seventh grade emerged victorious, scoring more points for the effectiveness of their arguments. Four of the debate students wrote and performed songs for a video project that incorporated elements of poetry, vocabulary words, and Spanish. Watch the video below!

RMS Hosts 2008 Middle School Strings All-City Concert

Watch the video of the 2008 Memphis City Schools Middle School Strings All-City Concert, held at Ridgeway Middle School on Thursday, October 16th, 2008

RMS Students Attend MSO Young People's Concert

On Tuesday, October 14th, RMS music students travelled to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts to attend the Memphis Symphony Orchestra's Young People's Concert. RMS students, along with other MSC students, enjoyed performances of twentieth century pieces from composers such as Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Igor Stravinsky, and Leonard Bernstein. MSO Assistant Conductor James Feddeck discussed each piece in terms of its historical context, explaining the twentieth century events that inspired each composer and what the music represented.

RMS World Drum Squad and Choir performing at the Memphis Farmers Market

The RMS World Drum Squad and Choir will be performing at the Memphis Farmers Market on Saturday morning, October 25th from 10:00 to 10:30 AM. October 25th will be the last day of the Market's 2008 season. Visit their web site for event information and directions.

Information regarding transportation and attire for this performance will be posted here and sent home next week - October 14th-17th. Visit the Music & Media Network Choir page for more information.

Oktoberfest Concert & Hot Dog Supper Fundraiser

Dear Parents, Family, and Friends,

You are cordially invited to the Oktoberfest Concert and Hot Dog Supper Fundraiser on Thursday evening, October 23rd, 6:00 to 7:00 PM. The event will be held in the RMS Cafeteria and feature:

• Performances by the RMS Choir and World Drum Squad
• Sixth Grade General Music Ensemble Performance
• Multimedia Presentations from General Music Students
• Dinner
• Door Prizes

Admission will be $4.00 per person at the door. Proceeds benefit the RMS Choir, World Drum Squad, and General Music program.

After school choir rehearsals will continue from now through October 23rd. Rehearsals will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 each day. Students are encouraged to attend any and all of the after school rehearsals. Transportation home must be provided for students immediately following rehearsals.

Student volunteers are encouraged to stay after school on the day of the concert – Thursday, October 23rd – to help set up and decorate the cafeteria for the event.

Click Here to Download/Print Oktoberfest Concert flyer (this flyer was sent home with stduents on Thursday, October 9th)

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to seeing all of you at the concert. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Ken Greene
greenekennethe@mcsk12.net
(901) 416-1588, ext. 21513

*Approved by Lisa Henry, RMS Principal*

Sixth Grade Syncopation - Day 2

Click the play button to hear sixth grade students performing the syncopated polyrhythm notated in the picture on the left. The first rhythm performed in the recording was line four, played on a floor tom, snare drum, rubber cans, and chairs. Line one enters next - this is the rhythm from our October 1st, "Day 1" entry. Line two enters next. followed by hand-clapped line three. The performance was impressively accurate! Improvisation will be added on Monday, October 6th, on drums and harmonica (if Theodore and Antario bring their harps). Click on the picture on the left to view a larger image. See if you can follow the notation as each new line of rhythm is performed.