Second Graders recently learned the folk song "I Bought Me a Cat." The singer of the song buys different animals in the song, so we first learned the song and sequence of the animals. After that, we assigned each animal a move that eventually became a special instrument part. Students were able to play the glockenspiel, wood blocks, guiros, shakers, and hand drums as we sang the song. This type of activity required the students to listen carefully and focus during the song so they did not miss their special part!
Third graders have been composing rhythms using names of their favorite superheroes! After figuring out the appropriate rhythmic value for each of their favorite superheroes, they wrote an 8-beat rhythmic chant with a group. Then, we practice clapping and saying them with their group. After that, the third graders were able to pick instruments and play their chant. The students learned some new rhythmic values and reviewed some old ones during this activity, and I learned about some new superheroes!
This week, first graders read the story Build a Burrito by Denise Vega. The story names all the things needed to make the perfect burrito. After that the students went on a hunt around the room for the best instrument sound for each food in the story. They were split into four groups and were able to try each instrument. It was loud in there! When the students had been to every station, we came back together as a class and came up with a list of the best sounds for each food. Next time, we're going to layer all the sounds and make a 'sound burrito,' or a sound carpet. This lesson will help us to distinguish between instruments, work on instrument technique, arrange music for a story, and work to find the appropriate sound for each food. We'll see how it turns out!
Hello BGS and YGS families!
I am thrilled to be starting a new school year at Bristol Grade School and Yorkville Grade School! We are part way through our first week of school, and it has been so much fun to meet all of the kids and hear them sing! I'd like to take a minute to introduce myself! This year, I am starting my seventh year of teaching. Prior to coming to Yorkville, I taught K-5 general music in Kaneland School District and K-5 general music in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I also finished up my masters degree last December. I received a Master of Arts in Special Education from Aurora University. Music is a part of my day in school and out! I am a very active member of Stage Coach Players in DeKalb. I often serve as music director for several of their musicals and have been known to get on stage and act every once in a while! I also teach piano and voice lessons at Avenue J Studios in Elburn. In addition to all of that, I'm planning my wedding! My fiance and I will be getting married on July 5, 2015, and we can't wait! Our music classes will be full of singing, dancing, instruments, games, and composition projects! I work to create a safe environment where students can learn to love and appreciate music. I cannot wait to hear the beautiful music your students will make this year. It will be a lot of fun! I plan to post pictures and updates along the way so you can see what we've been working on in class! I look forward to meeting you and your students this year! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Miss Plattos |
AuthorI am the music teacher at Bristol Grade School and Yorkville Grade School teaching kindergarten through third grade students. It's such a fun and rewarding job! Archives
August 2016
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