April/May
We are beginning April learning about “The Blues”. Here are some videos that will tell you about the history and style of Blues music.
The students in grades 6-7 will learn to play a 12 bar blues pattern on xylophones, pianos and guitars.
The 12 bar blues are the major chords in a certain key in this pattern:
I I I I IV IV I I V IV I I
Then they will get into groups and write a melody and lyrics to sing over the 12 bar blues progression.
Some examples of themes they might write about are:
- Little sibling blues
- Homework blues
- Chores blues
- Vegetables blues
- Fast food blues
- Screen time blues
or any other subject about which they want to complain.
These songs will be due at the end of May or beginning of June.
March
The grade six/sevens will be playing a song in a group. They will practice a song we have been working on in class, or choose one off the internet (homework if they so choose). They song should have the chords C, G, D, E or A. They can use E minor, A minor, A7, E7 or more if they wish. It should be a song with at least 2 chords (developing). 3 chord songs would be considered proficient. If they choose a song with a chord we haven’t covered in class, they would be extending their learning by learning new songs and chords.
The kids will perform their chosen songs in their group for the class the week before Spring Break.
We will also keep learning about chords. What are Major chords? What are Minor chords? How are they the same? How are they different? What does the 7 of a A7 or E7 mean? As the kids gain understanding of these concepts, they will tune into the background music of the songs they play and listening to, and appreciate the harmonies more.
Division 1 and Division 5 will be participating in Manie Musicale this March and April. Here is the students portal for Manie Musicale:
Here are the first two songs for the vote:
January/February
Students in Grades 6 and 7 (and the grade 5s of Mr. Kroeker’s class) have started learning guitar this term!
We are learning to pick and strum a guitar.
We are learning chords on a guitar.
Chords are the harmony part of a song. The “tune” is the melody. We will sing the melodies of our songs. The chords are strummed in the background to help support those melodies. The students will learn why harmonies and chords are important in the music we play and listen to.
Here are some videos that can help you get started on guitar.
And here is a video that can help students learn about chord theory:
Here are some songs you can play along with in music class:
November
Here is a video of the choreography for the dance for the Winter Concert for Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Mme. Jeffery’s, Ms. Pagnotta’s, Mr. Neilson/Mrs. Rodriguez and Mrs. Marks’ classes) to practice along with.
Here is the choreography to practice along with for Divisions 5-7 (Ms. Melton’s, Mr. Kroeker and Mme. Guguin’s classes).
October
Students are finishing up their drama skits this October. Then we are preparing for our Winter Concert. The students in grade six and seven will be practicing for our Winter Concert. I will post the choreography below here when it is ready.
Grade 6s in Division 5 and 6 will be performing “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield for the Remembrance Day assembly. Here is a recording that they practice along with:
September
Welcome (back) to Armstrong Grade 6s and 7s!
Grade sevens have the opportunity to sign up for Band this year. It will be taught by Janelle Claudio and it will be at 2:15 on Mondays and Wednesdays.
If you haven’t done so already, all grade sevens need to fill out this form to indicate if they are going to take band or not, and what instrument the prefer to receive.
Grade sixes will participate in music classes this year where we will do drama, dance, learn guitars and do a composition activity.