Thursday, August 20, 2015

Flashcard Project information!


Download the Flashcard Project Sheet HERE

During First Quarter all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will complete the Music Flashcard Project--the hard-copy will be sent home mid-August.

Deadline for Flashcard Projects 2016 will be during the last week of September
Music Projects are always accepted any time up until the deadline on the day you come to Music. Early projects are always appreciated and earn extra points. Late projects lose 3 points for every school day (not just the Music day) the work is late. Music project grades ALWAYS include the project itself AND the completed Project Sheet.



Students will officially have 4-5 weeks to complete this work. Students should plan to work on quarterly Music projects for about 30 minutes a week. It's best to plan your Music workday the same day as Music class.  Students may work with other students in their grade level.

The flashcard project is an opportunity for students to develop better dictionary and paraphrasing skills, learn music vocabulary, practice using a straight edge to draw a staff, and create a toolbox that will help them learn proper music terminology, symbols, and notes on a staff. 

Students: When you write your definitions please don't put the vocabulary word into the definitions. 
You may use a blank: _____ means the steady pulse in music. 

If you have already finished, an easy way to disguise the word in the definition is just use black crayon to color over the word (Sharpie bleeds through the card). 






You can use any online kids' Music dictionary:
       
  
More advanced dictionaries, if you want a challenge:


If Fourth and Fifth Graders have their cards from last year they may re-use them if they are in good condition and meet the requirements below (which are the same as last year).


 If you are having trouble, or if you need help ASK MS. TURGEON or a classmate you can trust! 

Line/Space Note Card Tips:
  • Use a straight edge and try to make all cards look as consistent as possible (same width of lines, etc). Cards done without a straight edge will have to be re-done.
  • Each card should have a treble clef and a whole note on each line or space, as pictured below.
  • The back of the card should have the letter name for each line or space note. Be consistent so that when you flip the card the answers will always be in the same area of the back of the card.
  • Don't use the LINED side of your cards--it will make your staff lines look blurry.
  • Line notes (from bottom to top): E-G-B-D-F  Space notes: F-A-C-E

Check out the Line and Space Note Tutorial Video:

Front of cards



with a few cards flipped over so you can see the answers



Fifth Graders will have reversible cards--from one direction they will be Treble Clef cards, and Bass Clef when turned the other way.




Treble Clef: Line notes (from bottom to top): E-G-B-D-F  Space notes: F-A-C-E
Bass Clef: Line notes (from bottom to top): G-B-D-F-A Space notes: A-C-E-G


On the answer side be sure to show if the answer is for Treble or Bass Clef

Here are some fun worksheets to help you practice note identification!


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Welcome to Music@SPARK for 2015-2016

Music Class
What do 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders need for Music?
4th/5th graders may re-use their Music binder from last year (binders or envelopes, please, not floppy folders). Students must bring the following to Music every week.

  • 3 ring binder
  • 10-15 sheets of paper in rings
  • 3 ring binder pencil pouch with
    • 2-3 sharpened pencils
    • last year's flashcards (4th/5th)
    • 15-20 index cards

Rulers and pencil sharpeners are not requested.
Image result for 3 ring pencil bag

If you wish to begin the First Quarter Flashcard Project feel free to get started! I updated last year's post with this year's deadlines.

Students will complete one Music project each quarter

Each project is given 5-6 weeks before the deadline for submission. Students should plan to spend about 30 minutes a week on Music practice or projects.

First Quarter--Flashcard Project (vocabulary and note identification) deadline in late September

Second Quarter--ASO Composer Project (music history, vocabulary acquisition, research skills, creative product) deadline in late November
Third Quarter--Write, Read, Sing, Play (musical skill application) deadline in late Feburary
Fourth Quarter--Somewhere in Time deadline in early May

Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and AC

kids can:
  1. Participate in EITHER Band, Orchestra (but not both)
  2. Participate in NEITHER Band or Orchestra but will go to Extra Spanish/Homeroom during this slot
                            AND 

  1. Participate in EITHER AC (Fridays after school until 4:30pm) or Chorus (during the school day) as a Performer which takes place during regular music specials weekly (and additional practice if AC or Performer is chosen)
  2. Non-Performer--learns songs in Music but does not perform.
We will have a Music@SPARK Informational Meeting about Band,
Orchestra, and Chorus/AC on Wednesday, August 12 beginning at 5:30pm 

Band will meet in the Music room (Band parents who have Chorus/AC singers will stay after the Band meeting for general info)
Orchestra will meet in the Hirsch house (Orchestra parents who have Chorus/AC singers will come to the Music room for general info after the Orchestra meeting is done).


You may indicate your choices here:
Complete the 4th and 5th Grade Ensemble Survey Here!

PRINT the Ensemble Choice Form HERE!

Please welcome our new Band teacher, Ms. Sandy Wade! 




Ms. Wade and Ms. Valkova will be serving SPARK, Mary Lin, Morningside, and Hope-Hill, thanks to the support and advocacy of our Grady cluster parents and administrators!


Fourth Graders at SPARK have several choices to make for Music. 

5th graders who were in Band or Orchestra last year will be automatically re-enrolled in their chosen ensemble. Any changes require a parental note indicating this year's selections; however, switching from Band to Orchestra (or vice versa) is not permitted. The Music@SPARK staff encourages all students to stick with their choices and really give their training their best effort throughout Fourth and Fifth grades!


Ensemble Descriptions:
See the tabs at the top of the page for videos of performances by each ensemble!


  • Band--choose from Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, and some percussion
  • Orchestra--choose from Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass
  • Extra-- Attends Extra Spanish on Mondays and Homeroom on Wednesdays or Fridays
  • Advanced Chorus --Performs with the Chorus AND attends after school rehearsals on Fridays until 4:30pm
  • Chorus Performer--Learns Chorus music during Music Class or Monday Chorus rehearsal, performs in concerts
  • Chorus Non-Performer--Learns Music during Music Class, but does not choose to perform

The Music@SPARK performance uniform for Band, Orchestra and Chorus is:

    • The Green Music@SPARK polo
    • black dress pants/skirt/shorts (uniform bottoms from French Toast is preferred, but not required)
    • black dress shoes/socks