Shoo Fly!

2nd Graders at Bainbridge and Mill Road recently used the folk song "Shoo Fly" to experience ABA form.  After learning the song, we brainstormed ways to change the B section as a whole class.   The next week the students were put into groups of 3-5 students with the challenge to create a motion and lyrics for a new B section.

During the task the students were given only 2 minutes to work as a team to create their new B section.  After brainstorming and developing their idea, all of the groups performed their B section during a group practice.  We then gave each group a chance to perform their arrangements.  Take a look at some of the fun ideas they came up with!

Tasks such as this help to stretch the students' ability to use 21st century skills such as collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, while also applying their musical knowledge and skills.

Thank you to Dr. Leigh Ann Garner for the inspiration for this activity!

Mill Road Elementary 2016 Carol Sing

On December 22nd, the 3rd graders at Mill Road Elementary helped to lead the school in our annual Carol Sing.  This year Mill Road Elementary has a super hero theme, so for our Carol Sing, I wrote an original script that incorporated the theme.  

"Super Hero Holiday" tells the story of Santa and Mrs. Claus before they became the traditional characters that we think of today.  In the beginning, Santa was 'Super Santa' and Mrs. Claus was 'Captain Claus', super heroes who's mission it was to save the world's toys from destruction! 

Super Santa soon realizes that the two super heroes have been fixing the toys of naughty children who do not take care of their toys and, in fact, there were nice children who did not have any toys at all.  Super Santa and Captain Claus decide to change their mission and deliver toys to the nice children of the world instead.  After changing their focus, they realized that they will not be able to complete the mission alone.  With each obstacle, they add more super heroes to their team (the reindeer and elves) until they are able to complete their mission of delivering toys to the nice children of the world.

39 students volunteered their time during several lunch recesses to practice dramatically reading the script.  Each 3rd grade class learned 2 songs, which were sung throughout the dramatic reading and the whole school participated in our sing-a-long intermission.  This year we had about 100 parents and community members in attendance.

Mrs. Dibble's class opened the program by setting the scene with the song "North Pole, North Pole" by Teresa Jennings.

Mrs. Dibble's class also learned an interlude on the orff instruments (xylophones) that I composed!  The whole class initially learned the melody part on the orff instruments.  Then Boom Whacker harmony, bongos and cabasa were added.  After several sessions of practice, students were selected to play the different parts of the interlude every time a new super hero was introduced in the story.

Mrs. Tuell's class performed "Teamwork" by John Riggio as Captain Claus tried to convince Super Santa to add more team members to complete their mission.

 

After the whole school sing-a-long, Mrs. Tuell's Class performed "Hip Hop Elves" by Teresa Jennings.  Several students were selected to play Boom Whackers during an interlude.

After the super hero team assembles the toys, Mrs. Burkett's class performed "Santa Claus is on His Way" by Teresa Jennings.  Several students were selected to play the Boom Whackers for this song as well.

Mrs. Burkett's Class closed the show with "A Super Celebration" by Teresa Jennings.

The 3rd graders at Mill Road are to be applauded for a wonderful performance!  Hard work and dedication were evident in all aspects of the show!  A big 'Thank You' goes out to Mrs. Irvin's son, Justin,  for being our Videographer!