Parents,
If you have any suggestions or comments for the music department at Hall's crossroads please do not hesitate to contact me through email Christian.Slattery@hcps.org or phone at (410) 273 - 5524.
Sincerely,
Mr. Slattery
September:
The students have already begun singing, reading, performing, and composing in music class. The fifth graders are composing music for non-traditional percussion instruments while the fourth graders are writing and performing one measure rhythmic ostinatos. The second and third graders are developing their musical code with their hand signs and will be composing their own melodic compositions in the months to come. The kindergarten and first grade students are internalizing musical beat and rhythm through movements, performance, and reading.
October:
In October, the students will continue to develop their composing and performing skills. The fifth graders will be adding dynamics to their non-traditional compositions while they begin to conduct their own ensembles. The fourth graders will internalize the rhythm, dotted quarter note, and begin to review recorder expectations and performance. The third graders have begun their melodic compositions and will be teaching and performing those compositions in the future. The second graders will be introduced to a new note from their musical code for sight singing called "La." The first graders are becoming experts with keeping a beat and will begin composing long sounds and short sounds on the beat. Finally, the kindergarten students have been developing singing songs in Spanish and English while performing movements to the beat.
November:
This month the students are becoming excellent musical team members in all grades. The fifth graders are forming and leading their own ensembles and performing their own compositions. The fourth grade students continue to develop their note reading abilities through enhancing their recorder skills. The third grade students now can read the letters off the music staff and understand bigger components as Meter Signatures, Bar lines, and Measures. The second grade classes are developing the note "La" through role-playing and performance while learning the new rhythm "Half Note." The first graders are analyzing their long and short sound compositions and making adjustments. Finally, the kindergarten children continually develop their singing voices, team work, and rhythmic comprehension through movement and performance.
December
December will bring holiday music intertwined with curriculum concepts in every grade level. The fifth graders will be singing and performing Hispanic, Asian, and English songs while performing syncopation and sixteenth note rhythms on classroom instruments. the fourth grade students will be developing African American music and two part singing. The third graders will continue to develop their note reading from the staff along with sight singing skills. Second grade discusses and performs instruments to ABA form and continues to develop sight singing. The first graders can now relate their long and short sounds to nontraditional notation and will continue to read and compose using this notation. The kindergarten children discuss and combine holiday music with movements and instruments. They are connecting with classroom material through rhyming words, letter sounds, and letter recognition.