Glow Days!

The last few days of music class in 2019 are in the dark!  The windows have been covered and black lights placed around the room.  All students have several centers around the room to choose from.  Older students are practicing note reading and composition.  Younger students are experimenting with vocal exploration, reading books we've sung through, using bright colored markers and play dough to become familiar with music symbols and instruments.
It's been fun discovering which things glow under the black light - even our teeth!

Concerts 2019-20

Check your calendars!

Dec 8           Voce!      4:00        Mall of America

Dec 12         6th Grade Musical  "School Daze"  Falcon Heights gym

Jan 30          4th and 5th Grade Concert  "My Island in the Sun"  Falcon Heights gym

Feb 27         2nd and 3rd Grade Concert  "Folk Song Festival"   Falcon Heights gym

Kindergarten and 1st Grade will have concerts.  We will let you know when they are scheduled.

Family Folk Songs

In 2nd and 3rd grade music class, we are learning about songs that we can sing with our families.  We are learning about the culture of our community through folk songs.

Please teach your child to sing a song from your family that they can share with the class.  The song could be a song you learned as a child, including a lullaby, hand clapping game, or finger play.  We would love to hear songs in a language other than English!

 Students will share their songs in music class during the week of Oct 21.

Please let me know if you have questions.  I am very excited to hear your songs!

Mindy Way-Johnson

Melinda.way-johnson@isd623.org

Five Little Ladies

As part of their work with steady beat, First Graders did the finger play Five Little Ladies.  Ask them to do it for you!

Thank You!!!

These are some of the items we've received from the smile.amazon wish list for the Music Room.  We have enjoyed trying out the new instruments.  The seat cushion got used right away!  It is so nice to work in a community that enjoys sharing their gifts with the school!

There are still items left on the list if you'd like to contribute.  The link is https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/129E7DO4KCNUK/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_4?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist

Maori Stick Passing game

4th and 5th grade classes are trying out a stick passing game from the Maori people of New Zealand.  A little sneak peek at their upcoming concert!  (Jan 30)

All of the Falcon Heights community sang Funga Alafia; a welcoming song with roots in Nigeria.  A small group of 6th graders played drums and bells with us.  It was awesome to hear all their voices together!
Funga alafia. ase ase (ashay, ashay)
With my thoughts, I welcome you!
With my words, I welcome you!
With my heart, I welcome you!
See!  I have nothing up my sleeve!