Upcoming Events
-Thursday, May 9th: Orchestra Extravaganza Concert @Twin Groves. 4th/5th Grade Orchestra will perform at 6:30pm (*Please note that students must arrive by 5:30pm on this date)
4th Grade
What we did this week:
-Learned a new rhythm with the Monkey Song
-Reviewed Half Notes
Assignment:
-p. 22, p. 15 (Mozart Melody)
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...)
Lesson Schedules:
4th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
5th Grade
What we did this week:
-Reviewed staccato (short bow stroke)
-Learned about "hooked bows"
Assignment:
-p. 40 and 41, Sweet Betsy, Ninja
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:
Orchestra Grades on the Report Card
Trimester 2 ends today and report cards are coming out soon! Below are some important reminders to keep in mind when reviewing your child's grades.
4th Grade Orchestra: During Trimester 2, we introduced the bow! When students start working with their bows, it sometimes can affect our left hand technique and posture because of the coordination of using both hands at once and using different muscles. If your child receives a "D" on a target that they may have received an "M" for in the past, just know that it is most likely related to adjusting to the new skill of using both the bow and fingers at the same time. Please know that if your child receives a "D" for any target, these will also be assessed during Trimester 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 "D" on a target that they may have received an "M" 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 Trimester 3.