Attention Third Grade Parents!

As mentioned in the December/January Bluffsview Newsletter, and the “save the date” note sent home earlier this month, your children are in the midst of preparing for a musical program entitled, “It’s Easy Being Green” on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20th, 2011 (in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22nd).

Students will perform for their peers at 1:30 in the afternoon, and then again at 7:00 PM for you and your family. Both performances will occur in the gymnasium.

In the evening, students will be asked to report to the music room no later than 6:45PM. Please have them leave any coats and/or personal items with you as you take your seats in the gym. I’ve had some issues with cell phones this year, so please keep those items with you, and not your child, when they are performing.

Dress for this performance will be jeans and any blue, green or white top. Bluffsview spiritwear is acceptable, but any other logos should be kept to a minimum, if possible.

Please mark your calendars now for these special performances. If you find that your family has a conflict and your child will be unable to attend, please send me a quick note or email (chogan@worthington.k12.oh.us) so that I can plan accordingly.

The students are working tremendously hard and are excited to share their musical talents with you! I look forward to seeing you on April 20th!

Musically Yours,

Ms. Hogan

Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor

Sixth Grade Music Students listened to the Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach and created these pieces of art in response to their listening.

Look for patterns and lines, and lightness and darkness. These elements are present in the music and reflect a style of composition popular during the Baroque Period
(1600-1750) called “contrapuntal” voicing. Multiple voices or instruments musically chase one another and the melodies weave in and out of one another. Contrasts in volume, tonality, and tone color add excitement to music from this time period as well.

Fourth Grade Instrument Project

Fourth Graders are studying the science of sound and how it relates to instruments. All instruments can be classified scientifically one of four ways, based on how their sound is produced: Chordophones (vibration of strings), Aerophones (vibration of air), Membranophones (vibration of skin), or Idiophones (vibration of self).

Students have the assignment of constructing an instrument of their own, must be able to identify their instrument's scientific classification, and must complete written directions for the construction of their instrument. All instruments and written directions are due on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011.

Students will be given time in music class to browse books on instrument construction as well as make notes for their ideas. In addition, the following websites have wonderful ideas to assist in this project:

How to make an African Drum
Artists Helping Children
E-How videos on instrument construction
How Stuff Works
Busy Bee Kids Crafts
Making Musical Instruments on essortment.com
Mudcat Kids
Kinderart.com
Family Crafts from About.com
Family Fun instrument crafts
Nancymusic.com
Rhythmweb.com Homemade instruments

I hope this list is helpful! AND I can't wait to see what instruments make their way into my room in the next weeks! Good Luck!