Class Links for April 15

Second Grade
Maple Leaf Rag: http://safeshare.tv/w/cctzVYnwsG

Third Grade
What a Wonderful World http://safeshare.tv/w/TqmWXRuUtN
Bean Bag Activity: http://safeshare.tv/w/QvbopVKjVA
What a Wonderful World Sign Language: http://safeshare.tv/w/GNMlJQZwtK

SongTale: http://safeshare.tv/w/VgdkTwgjko

Simplified Holiday Sing-Along

Click the links below to visit a YouTube video featuring the music and lyrics!

Use your browser's "back" button to return to this screen. 

1. Candlelight (Dynamite Parody)
2. Christmas Don't Be Late (New Version)
3. The Dreidl Song
4. Frosty the Snowman
5. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
6. Jingle Bells
7. Let It Snow!
8. Nuttin' for Christmas
9. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
11. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
12. The Twelve Days of Christmas
13. White Christmas
14. Winter Wonderland
15. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

About Central's Winter Program

Dear families: That time of year approaches again! The Central Tigers have started working on our annual Christmas/Holiday program and they are coming along! The theme this year is 'Sounds of the Season!' where students will serenade us with songs of the holiday season, both old and new!

Just a couple of details about the program: The performance will take place on Friday, December 6th at 9:30 AM in the Helena Middle School Auditorium. Please have your student(s) come dressed in nice holiday clothes for the performance; please do not send them wear sweats or jeans with holes or t-shirts with screening on the front. Thank you!

If you have any questions or concerns about program day, please contact your student's classroom teacher, music teacher or Mrs. Nasset.  We look forward to seeing you on program day!

Mrs. Nyhof (K-5 Music; anyof@helena.k12.mt.us; 406-324-1628)

Helena Middle School

1025 N Rodney

Helena, MT

Objectives for the week of October 28, 2013

In celebration of Halloween, we'll be having a special school-wide focus on being tuneful, beatful, and artful (my current favorite words). So what does that look like, exactly?

1. Tuneful – to have tunes in their heads and learn to coordinate their voices to sing those tunes.
2. Beatful – to feel the pulse of music and how that pulse is grouped in either 2s or 3s.
3. Artful – to be moved by music in the many ways music can elicit a feelingful response.

(http://www.feierabendmusic.org/first-steps-in-music-for-preschool-and-beyond/)

In grades K-3, the primary objectives of this week will be:

• I can explore the range of my voice.
• I can move expressively to music.
• I can experience the beat in music.

In grades 4-5, we will continue testing for Recorder Karate belts.

• I can play with a steady beat.
• I can play with appropriate phrasing.

Objectives for the week of October 21, 2013

Kindergarten

• I can explore using my head voice.
• I can move expressively to music.

First Grade

• I can explore highs and lows in my voice.
• I can move expressively to music.

Second Grade and Primary Montessori

• I can sing using my head voice.
• I can move expressively to music.

Third Grade

• I can echo rhythmic patterns (eighth notes and quarter notes).
• I can decode rhythmic patterns (eighth notes and quarter notes).

Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, and Intermediate Montessori

• I can play B, A, and G on the recorder.
• I can count quarter notes and half notes.

Looking forward to a great week! This week I will begin implementing many of the strategies I learned last week at the Montana Music Conference from Dr. John Feierabend. In younger grades we will be focusing on First Steps in Music skills, including pitch and movement exploration. In older grades we will start applying Conversational Solfege concepts, a method that focuses on learning music in the same way we learn to read: 

During the first five years of life we are busy making aural sense out of the complex labyrinth of language.  After achieving a certain level of conversational competence we enter school and begin a structured reading and writing curriculum. A similar process takes place when one studies a foreign language first at a conversational level.  The development of ear comprehension precedes reading, writing or grammatical structure education.  These models of learning can be applied to the development of music literacy.

Back from the Montana Music Conference and feeling pumped!

Eureka! That's how I felt so many times during several training sessions with Dr. John Feierabend in Bozeman this week! He spoke about his research in music education and offered training in two coordinating methods of music education: First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege. First Steps in Music works to establish a solid base from children, making them "tuneful, beatful, and artful."

Tuneful – to have tunes in their heads and learn to coordinate their voices to sing those tunes.
Beatful – to feel the pulse of music and how that pulse is grouped in either 2s or 3s.
Artful – to be moved by music in the many ways music can elicit a feeling-filled response.
(John Feierabend)

Conversational Solfege works to develop music literacy in students, starting at approximately Grade 2, building on the foundations established in First Steps in Music.

When one becomes truly musically literate the playing of an instrument becomes a natural extension of one’s personal musicianship. The development of true music literacy prior to instrumental instruction will enable instrumentalists to express music through their instrument rather than using the instrument to hear the music. (John Feierabend)

I am so inspired! Can't wait to get back to school next week!

P.S. You can help me purchase more of these resources using the widget below!

Objectives for the week of October 7, 2013

Kindergarten
I can explore steady beat.
I can demonstrate long and short sounds.

First Grade
I can identify high and low sounds.

Second Grade and Primary Montessori
I can sing a melody using sol, la, and mi. (What is this?)

Third Grade
I can identify verse and refrain.
I can sing by myself.

Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, and Intermediate Montessori
I can hold my recorder correctly.
I can make a nice sound on my recorder.
I can play B, A, and G on my recorder.

Objectives for the week of September 30, 2013

Kindergarten

• I can experience long and short sounds.
• I can explore steady beat.

First Grade

• I can explore high and low notes.
• I can notate ta and ti-ti.

Second Grade and Primary Montessori

• I can identify musical phrases.

Third Grade

• I can identify verse and refrain.

Fourth Grade and Intermediate Montessori

• I can make connections between music and geography.
• I can identify strong and weak beats.

Fifth Grade

• I can make connections between music and geography.
• I can identify syncopation.

Oh, I wish I were a little squirty orange...

This week, third graders took learned the song "Oh, I Wish I Were" and then created their own verses for the song. Here are a few!

Oh, I wish I were a little eyeball (eyeball)
Oh, I wish I were a little eyeball (eyeball)
I'd go in a socket and you will find me in your pocket
Oh, I wish I were a little eyeball (eyeball)
by "Weirdo," Alack, Silas

Oh, I wish I were a little squirmy cat (squirmy cat)
Oh, I wish I were a little squirmy cat (squirmy cat)
I'd go squirmy, squirmy, squirmy like a little, little wormy
Oh, I wish I were a little squirmy cat (squirmy cat)
by "The LLJ's"

Oh, I wish I were a little noisy fly (noisy fly)
Oh, I wish I were a little noisy fly (noisy fly)
I'll go burpy, burpy, burpy under everybody's shirty
Oh, I wish I were a little noisy fly (noisy fly)
by Jamie

Oh, I wish I were a little mystery frog (mystery frog)
Oh, I wish I were a little mystery frog (mystery frog)
I'd go worky, worky, worky over everybody's "curky"
Oh, I wish I were a little mystery frog (mystery frog)
by Alyvia and Keaton

Oh, I wish I were a little puppy dog (puppy dog)
Oh, I wish I were a little puppy dog (puppy dog)
I'd go bark bark bark while I'm in the park
Oh, I wish I were a little puppy dog (puppy dog)

Oh, I wish I were a little pink pig (pink pig)
Oh, I wish I were a little pink pig (pink pig)
I'd go squirty squirty squirty and make everybody dirty
Oh, I wish I were a little pink pig (pink pig)

Oh, I wish I were a little dirty frog (dirty frog)
Oh, I wish I were a little dirty frog (dirty frog)
I'd go splish-splash and make everybody laugh
Oh, I wish I were a little dirty frog (dirty frog)

The Grand Songwriting Experiment: 5H

Hey 5H students! Here's some tools for you to brainstorm at home... we've got our theme, "The Experiment," and now we're looking for some lyrics to open the song. Here's the melody we created:

Second Quarter Music Newsletter

2B and MK: Inauguration Music

Big news for 2B and MK!

These two classes have been invited to sing at the Governor’s inauguration on Monday, January 7th at the State Capitol. Students will take a bus to the event. We will let you know as soon as more details are available- watch backpacks, classroom newsletters, and facebook.com/MrsNyhof for updates. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this event, please notify Mrs. Nyhof as soon as possible (anyhof@helena.k12.mt.us or 324-1253).

For the students who have expressed an interest in practicing at home...

Click here for the audio files.

And click here for the lyrics!

It's a Holiday Sing-Along!

Click the links below to visit a YouTube video featuring the music and lyrics!

Use your browser's "back" button to return to this screen. 

1. All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth 
2. All About that Neis (All About That Bass Parody by the Maccabeats)
3. Carol of the Bells
4. Candlelight (Dynamite Parody by the Maccabeats)
5. Christmas Don't Be Late (New Version)
6. The Dreidl Song
7. Feliz Navidad
8. Frosty the Snowman
9. Happy Christmas (War is Over)
10. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
11. I Want an Alien for Christmas
12. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
13. Jingle Bell Rock
14. Jingle Bells
15. Joy to the World
16. Let It Snow!
17. Miracle (Matisyahu)
18. Nuttin' for Christmas
19. Oh Hannukah
20. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
21. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)
22. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
23. Silent Night
24. Sleigh Ride
25. The Twelve Days of Christmas
26. White Christmas
27. Winter Wonderland
28. Winter Solstice Song
29. Wonderful Christmastime
30. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Central Program: Please help!

I am looking for the following items for our Central program on December 12, and it would mean so much if you are able to help!

• Men's ties: preferably holiday ties and ugly/gaudy ties... please not your favorites as they will be worn by 4th/5th grade students and used as part of our choreography. Bow ties, bollo ties, and clip-on ties are great, too!
• Old  or toy electronics, non functioning is preferred: laptops, cell phones, handheld gaming devices, etc, and at least one typewriter.
• Volunteers to cut out/assemble puppy dog ear headbands for Kindergarten and 1st grade students to wear.

Please send in items as soon as possible so I will know if we are short anything. All borrowed items can be returned after the program- just label them!

Thanks in advance for helping out!

Mrs. N

Dear Santa

Central's Winter Program is December 12, 2012.

Listen to the songs.

Follow along with the lyrics.

Music Class Toolkits

These toolkits have been helping us to make the most of our music time! No more time spent waiting for everyone to get their rhythm sticks, more opportunities for participation and for responses. I love being able to ask a question and have students quickly write down an answer to show me on their whiteboard. No major setup involved- these kits are ready to go! I put them on a shelf at the end of the day to clear the room for vacuuming, and pop them back on the floor the next morning. Easy peasy!

My kits are color-coded at the suggestion of a third grader. Each student is assigned a certain kit to pull supplies from, and she noticed that students were fighting over certain supplies when there was a variety. So, for example, the red kit has all red egg shakers, red bean bags, red markers, red erasers, and I put a red mark on the rhythm sticks so I can keep track of which kit they're from.

"Soldier, Soldier" Parodies

The original:

Now soldier, soldier, will you marry me, with your musket, fife, and drum?

Oh, how could I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no coat to put on?

So off to the tailor she did go as fast as she could run 

and bought him a coat of the finest that there were and the soldier put it on.

Now soldier, soldier, will you marry me, with your musket, fife, and drum?

Oh, how could I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no shoes to put on?

So off to the cobbler she did go as fast as she could run 

and bought him a pair of the finest that there were and the soldier put them on.

Now soldier, soldier, will you marry me, with your musket, fife, and drum?

Oh, how could I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no hat to put on?

So off to the hatter she did go as fast as she could run 

and bought him a hat of the finest that there were and the soldier put it on.

Now soldier, soldier, will you marry me, with your musket, fife, and drum?

Oh, how could I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got a wife at home?!

Goalie, Goalie by Anonymous

Now goalie, goalie, will you marry me with your soccer net and ball?

Oh how can I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no cleats to put on?

Then off to the soccer store she did drive as fast as she could drive

She bought him some cleats of the best that there were and the goalie put them on.

Now goalie, goalie, will you marry me with your soccer net and ball?

Oh how can I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no gloves to put on?

Then off to the sports store she did drive as fast as she could drive

She bought him some gloves of the best that there were and the goalie put them on.

Now goalie, goalie, will you marry me with your soccer net and ball?

Oh how can I marry such a pretty girl as you when I've got no jersey to put on?

Then off to the Lowes she did drive as fast as she could drive

She bought him a jersey of the best that there were and the goalie put it on.


Sarah, Sarah by Emma
Now Sarah, Sarah will you marry me with your laugh so high and young?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty girl as you when I got no teeth to put on?


And off to the dentist she did go as fast as she could jog
She bought her a pair of the shiniest that there were and Sarah put them on.


Now Sarah, Sarah will you marry me with your laugh so high and young?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty irl as you when I got no shine to put on?


So off to a spaceship she did go as fast as she could run
She got her a piece of the shining sun and Sarah put it on.


Now Sarah, Sarah will you marry me with your laugh so high and young?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty girl as you when I got a laugh at home?


French Fry, French Fry by Garry, Savanna, and Gracie
Now french fry french fry will you marry me with your katsup and salt?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty burger as you when I've got no plate to be on?


So off to the Panhandler she did go as fast as she could run
She bought him a plate of the finest there were and the french fry jumped on it.



Now french fry french fry will you marry me with your katsup and salt?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty burger as you when I've got no extra salt to put on?


So off to Safeway she did run as fast as she could run
She bought him some extra salt of the finest that there was and the french fry put it on.


Now french fry french fry will you marry me with your katsup and salt?
Oh how can I marry such a pretty burger as you when I've got no friends to be around?


So off to Burger King as fast as she could run
She bought him some french fry friends of the finest that there was and the french fry played with them.

Now french fry french fry will you marry me with your katsup and salt?

Oh how can I marry such a pretty burger as you when I've got a burger at Wendy's?

Freddie the Frog!

Freddie the Frog has become a regular guest in Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades. He has five different story books that help us to learn about different musical concepts. Last week, we read "Freddie the Frog and the Bass Clef Monster." In this adventure, Freddie has a nightmare that introduces him to the notes of the bass clef.

This week, we're following up with a matching game that you can play at home! Freddie's website offers games to accompany each book. So far this morning, the kindergartners have been amazing me with their ability to identify line notes and space notes as well as matching the notes on the staff!

freddiethefrog.com

End of the First Quarter

Click here to download the First Quarter Music Newsletter in pdf format.

Free Concert!

The State Capital Band will present a free concert on Thursday, July 27 at 8:00 PM in Memorial Park. Music includes selections from Aladdin, Braveheart, and more. Hope to see you there!

PS Look for Mrs. N in the front row playing the flute!