Divisions 7, 8, 9

June 15th – This week’s post is about National Indigenous Day which is on June 21st.  Be sure to take a look at it.  I would like to introduce you to the song “Gitsigakomim”.  It is a Native American song and comes from Connie Tailfeathers from Southern Alberta.  She is from the Blackfoot nation.  “Gitsigakomim” means “I love you” in Blackfoot.  “Na-a” means “mother”.  This song honours your parents.  You can sing the song to honour anyone in your community that has done something special by singing their name instead of singing “Na-a”.  Give it a try.

June 8th – Music has the power to bring people together in peaceful and thoughtful ways.  I posted the song, “One Love”, on my home page.  Please watch this beautiful video.  I have also included the story here for you to listen to – “ONE LOVE” by Bob Marley.  Sit down with your favourite stuffie and enjoy this one!

The last two weeks you have been composing different rhythms.  This week, you can compose different melodies!  Remember, a melody is a phrase of single notes.  Some notes can be high, some notes can be low and then there are all the notes in between high and low.  Try levels 1 and 2 this week.

Try clapping or tapping the rhythms of this song “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

June 1st – Did you enjoy composing your own rhythms?  You can continue composing on this link.  Try new rhythmic patterns and different instruments.  What goal will you set for yourself this week?  Level 1, 2, 3?

I have included a new game for you to try.  Use your listening ears to find sounds.  You might find the sounds inside or outside of your house.  The game is called Sound-Hunt!  Have FUN!

I also put the Camping Site and Music Room in a new tab near the top of my blog called, “Virtual Rooms”.  I plan to add new rooms to this tab in the future.

May 25th – Happy Monday everyone!  This week you can compose your own rhythms and test them out on different instruments. You can set a goal to complete Levels 1 & 2. Click on this link.

You can also visit my camping site or the virtual music class room anytime you want, especially on rainy days.

May 19th – Let’s go camping!  Enjoy this interactive adventure by clicking on different things at my camp site.  There are so many great camp songs and games to learn.  Also, continue your work on your sound maps.  Check my weekly post and you will see some of the wonderful work that I have been receiving.  Keep up the good work everyone.

 

May 11th – Let’s make a SOUND MAP!  Go outside with a pencil, crayons or markers and a piece of paper.  Find a nice, safe spot to sit, close your eyes and LISTEN.  Take a deep breath and listen some more.  You will begin to notice sounds all around you.  Some sounds will be near and some far away.  Draw an X in the middle of your paper and then begin to draw the sounds you hear around your X.  You can use pictures, words, designs to describe the sounds you are hearing.  This is what I drew yesterday when I sat out in my front yard.

Take a picture of your sound map and email it to me at bonnie.ishii@burnabyschools.ca.  Enjoy!

 

May 4th – What did you think of Eric Carle’s story “I See A Song“?  Try to draw your own picture while listening to the story.  What shapes, lines, colour do you see?  I understand that the mirroring video did not open for most of you.  I will try to find another way to share this with you.

Since you are spending so much time at home, perhaps you would like to make your own instrument?  A couple of weeks ago I shared this video on how to create your own instruments.  You can make something that you can tap, strum or blow into.  Once you have your instrument ready, you can play along with this song.  Be careful as it is kind of tricky.  It is a “FREEZE” song and so you have to stop playing when it says “FREEZE”.   Enjoy this song.

Did you complete the Scavenger Hunt yet?  It is a fun way to learn what is on my blog.

April 27th – Thank you to those who have sent me their imaginative soundscapes!  I will continue to accept them and include them in our audio library.  This week you may explore some movement with this mirroring activity.  Try to copy the body shape that you see.  Move slowly and silently from one shape to the other.  If you would like to send me a photo of your mirroring I will be sure to post a sticker over your face for privacy.   Click Here for the video.

Are you ready to cozy up and watch “I See A Song” by Eric Carle?  It is a beautiful picture book about how we can see music!

Are you ready for a “Scavenger Hunt”?  You can find it under FORMS on the right hand side of my blog.  Good luck and have fun!

 

April 20th – Hello music makers!  I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weekend!  I was able to get into my garden a bit and do some reading outside on my deck!  I also created another soundscape and this one is called “April”.  Can you guess what I used for my musical sounds?  Thank you to those who sent me some of their soundscapes from last week!  They are wonderfully creative!

“April”

April is a rainbow month

of sudden springtime showers

Bright with golden daffodils

And lots of pretty flowers!

• Share this poem with someone.  Create your own soundscape.  You can even record it if you want!  I would love to hear it if you would like to email it to me at bonnie.ishii@burnabyschools.ca.
• We also celebrate Earth Day this week.  Enjoy this song called “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”
• You may want to make reuse some items from home and create your own instruments.

April 15 – Hello music makers!  Did you know that April is Poetry Month?  In fact, poems and music have been connected for thousands of years.  In Ancient times, many poems were quite often sung.  “Taking Turns” by Norma Farber is one of my favourite poems.  I invite you to:

• share this poem with someone
• find musical sounds from home and create a soundscape.  You can even record them if you want.  You can use this poem or another one of your choice.  Here is an example of one that I made.

  I have to say it was a lot of fun to make (I made it on my iphone).

• Can you guess what I may have used to make my musical sounds?
• you can comment below or email me about your experience with poetry and music
• you can email me your own recording if you want to and I will start an audio collection of our work

April 6 – Hello Divisions 8, 9 & 10!  I hope you and your families are well and are enjoying today’s sunshine!  I miss making music and dancing with you but am excited to try learning in a different way.  This week you can:

Check out my youtube channel, “Music, Dance & Beyond!”, as I have created some playlists for you.

Students can listen, sing and dance to the following “Pete the Cat” songs, because we love Pete!  You may even want to have a “Pete the Cat Dance Party!”  I also added an Easter one to enjoy!

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat & His Four Groovy Buttons

Pete the Cat Big Easter Adventure

Students in grades 2 can revisit our Primary Days of Music songs.  Sing and keep the beat on a home-made instrument of some kind or draw a picture of your favourite song or memory of Primary Days of Music.  You can take a picture of it and email it to me at bonnie.ishii@burnabyschools.ca.  I would love to see them!  You will find some of the songs on my youtube channel.  Please enjoy these videos with the adults in your home.  Also, you may want to have an adult to disable the autoplay feature on youtube.