Piano/Keyboard Unit Begins

For the next two weeks, the students will learn how to play piano in General Music.  First they will learn to play simple songs in treble and bass clef individually.  Once they are comfortable with each clef solo, they will learn to play piano with both hands simultaneously.  For students who have played piano before, they will start on music at an appropriate level for them.  This unit concludes with a 10 point performance assessment and a composition/performance activity.  They will compose an eight measure song using both treble and bass clef and perform it for the class.

Curriculum Update

8th Grade: World Music Research Project

The students selected a country to research the music and culture of.  The students receive six days in class to complete their research.  They will present their research, using Presentation in the Google Drive, to the class beginning Oct. 21.  Any student who opted to work alone will receive an extra day to complete this project (Due. Oct. 22.)  

This project is worth 100 points.

7th Grade:  Ballroom Dance Unit Ends; TV Ad Project Begins
Don't forget to DRESS UP on Tuesday for our Ballroom Dance Performance Assessment.
If you dress up- you will get 2 points extra credit added to your 40 point unit grade.  

Next week, the students will begin the TV Advertisement Project.  Each student will create a 30 second commercial using pictures, text, a song they will compose in class using our new software MixCraft 6, and Windows Movie Maker to help it all come to life.  (30 point project)

6th Grade: Ballroom Dance Unit Continues
The students have one more dance to learn next week: TANGO!  Next week, they will complete their written packet, take a 10 point quiz and perform their favorite two dances for their unit grade.  They may DRESS UP on Thursday, Oct. 16 for 2 points extra credit!!!

New Units Begin!

This week in music, all classes learned about A Cappella music and composed their own a cappella music using Incredibox.  

Then, the 6th and 7th grade classes reinforced their knowledge of form by selecting songs to analyze. Through analyzing the form, they created art and dance to show their form to the class.  Pictures coming soon... 

Starting today...
6th and 7th Grade: Ballroom Dance Unit
The students will learn 4-6 ballroom dances (depending on the grade level).  The objective of this unit is to teach the student’s about Music, Culture, and Proper Dance Etiquette through Ballroom Dance.  In other words, this unit supports PBIS and the Music Curriculum through the vehicle of Ballroom Dance.  Not only will the students learn positive behavior and learn to dance, but they will also learn about the origin and music of each dance.  Their grade for the unit comprises of a packet they will fill out each day (7th grade packet is in Google Classroom- so they will use their chrome books for this activity,) a written quiz, and two dance performances equaling a 40 point unit grade. 


8th Grade: World Music Unit:  Africa
Wednesday, the students started learning about the music of Africa.  This unit includes PowerPoint presentations, listening clips and educational videos, and learning to play instruments from other cultures such as the mbira, djembe, gankogui bells, Udu, Shekere's and much more. Next week, the students will learn to use these instruments in an ensemble setting and will take a quiz on this material next Wednesday, October 8.