4th graders made steady progress learning songs in the Recorder Karate curriculum right up until school closed. The recorder unit continues with belt testing ongoing, albeit via email, SeeSaw, or through the Quaver interface! Online video tutorials walk students through all the songs in the Recorder Karate curriculum using the same format we use in class, tackling rhythm first without the recorder, then singing note names and finally putting the two hands together. Efficient learning on an instrument is accomplished when students break a task down into simpler parts, practice with as few mistakes as possible, then put these parts back together into a musical whole.
Our virtual, optional activities included a rhythm review with videos from the Quaver archive and practice activities for students to compose and read rhythmic patterns including quarter, 8th, triplet and 16th notes.
2nd graders used improvisation to demonstrate their understanding of melody. Each student improvised on xylophones using the pentatonic scale, during a song appropriately titled, “Makin’ it up.” Our optional online activities included two read-aloud books on the history of jazz music, and a Quaver slide deck that provided additional practice composing using the pentatonic scale, as well as sing-along favorites including “Blast off!” and “Great big house in New Orleans.”
Kindergartners learned about tempo and how it relates not only to music but to everyday life. We move through our days at different speeds depending on many factors – our mood, goals, the setting, and the expectations of people around us.
For our virtual classroom, kindergartners were provided a playlist of spring-themed tunes, including songs we’d studied in class such as “Five little chick-a-dees.” They were given instructions to access their Quaver accounts. Quaver activities included games to review concepts such as voice choice, (Whisper, talk, shout or sing?). Favorite animated songs also made an appearance including “Jumpin’ Jacks,” “Whisper, talk and shout and sing,” and "Music has a steady beat."