4th/5th Grade Orchestra: Week of 11/12/18

Upcoming Events

- TODAY Friday, November 16th: IGSMA Solo/Ensemble Form and Fees Due. Please click here for more details

-Wednesday, January 16th: 4th/5th Grade Orchestra Winter Concert (7pm@ TG, Students must arrive by 6pm)

4th Grade

What we did this week:

-Took our note naming quiz for the D string notes and A

-Started to work on our bow holds!

Assignment:

-p. 10

Practicing Expectations:

Students should be writing down their assignment at each lesson. Our goal is to practice every day that we eat! We should be aiming to take our instruments out every day and practicing. There is NO time limit at this point. Students should be practicing each day for however long they are able to. Students should record their minutes for each day and get their practice record signed. If a student has practiced every day and has it signed, they receive a sticker! (This will be very important later this year...)

Membership Toolkit:

The school year is off and running on a great note!!  The District 96 Band & Orchestra Boosters are looking forward to another great year. The Boosters Membership ToolKit  is how the Boosters will communicate important information to the parents of students participating in the band or orchestra programs.  The ToolKit gives you online access to forms for ordering your students required concert polo shirt, forms to volunteer for various activities or serve on the Booster Board, and forms to register for events (i.e. the “End of the Year” party).  All purchases can be paid online with your credit or debit card!  Please stay “in the know” and create an account in the Boosters Membership ToolKit today!  To create an account and get started head to https://bandandorchestraboosters.membershiptoolkit.com and follow the prompts.  If you already have a Membership ToolKit account with the PTO at your school, you can use the same e-mail and password to set up this account.  

Questions about Membership ToolKit or how to order a concert polo shirt?  Please contact Marlene Mahn at [email protected]
Thank you!

Lesson Schedules:

4th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule

5th Grade

What we did this week:

-Learned about ties and slurs

Assignment:

-p. 29 and p. 40

Practicing Expectations:

Our goal is to practice 15-20 minutes each day for 6 days. Students should record their minutes in the practice record and get it signed each week.

-Students should practice each song  in small parts at least 5x-10 every day.

-Below are the steps on how to practice our songs in the book:
1. Name the notes in rhythm, making sure to tap your foot to a steady beat beforehand.
2. Name the notes AND finger the notes, making sure to  tap your foot to a steady beat.
3. Play the song pizzicato (plucking) making sure to keep a straight wrist.                                        4."Shadow bow" while fingering the note names to help practice our bowings

5. Play the song with the bow, making sure to bow from your elbow.                              

Lesson Schedules:

5th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule

Topic of the Week: Report Card

4th Grade Orchestra: Because most the 4th Grade students are learning an instrument for the first time, most of our targets are usually in the "developing" stages. Please know that if your child receives a "2" for any target, these will also be assessed during Trimesters 2 and 3.

5th Grade Orchestra: Even though the 5th Grade students have already had a year of instruction on their instrument, we do learn a lot of new skills in 5th Grade Orchestra. Because of this, sometimes our left hand technique as well as our bow technique needs adjusting time, even if the student has mastered this skill prior to this year. If your child receives a "2" on a target that they may have received an "M" or "3" for in the past, just know that it is most likely related to adjusting to a new skill. These targets will also be assessed during Trimesters 2 and 3.