4th and 5th Grade Activities for Music at Home
In 4th and 5th grades, we continue to build upon the foundation to some more advanced musical concepts. For instance, we take what we learned about the staff and use that in playing songs on recorder. We begin learning recorder in 4th grade and continue into 5th. Learning recorder is a great first step for students who want to continue in band in 6th grade.
While learning recorder, students must be able to quickly recognize notes on the staff. This skill is similar to knowing automatically that 4 times 4 is 16. To be successful, students should be able to recognize notes without having to think about remembering our mnemonics. The following link is to a whack-a-mole carnival type game. Students can practice recognizing, repeatedly, one note at a time. This game will help students be able to recognize notes quickly.
. Every Good Boy Does Fine Notes in the space spell FACE
For those of you who have recorders at home, here are some good videos to play along with to get in some practice. Remember, left hand on top and use slow, warm air. Don't blow too hard. If you're getting squeaks check your fingers first. Are the holes completely covered? If you're still getting squeaks, check your breath.
Recorder Warm Up #1: Preparing for Hot Cross Buns
Recorder Song #1: Hot Cross Buns
Recorder Warm Up #2: Preparing for Gently Sleep
Recorder Song #2: Gently Sleep
Recorder Warm Up #3: Preparing for Au Clair de la Lune
Recorder Song #3: Au Clair de la Lune
Recorder Warm Up #5: Preparing for Mary Had a Little Lamb
Recorder Song #5: Mary Had a Little Lamb
We are so fortunate to live so close to Music City, USA also known as Nashville, the home of country music. During this time of quarantine, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is closed. However, there are resources on their website that are invaluable in music education. Many musicians in Nashville are singer/songwriters. A cool field trip hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame is a songwriting workshop. These resources can be found on their website. I encourage families to go to this website and explore writing songs.
On this webpage, you'll find a video from one of the songwriting teachers at the CMHOF. It's a short introduction to songwriting. Then, you can explore a step-by-step guide to songwriting. A workbook is included below the guide. Use the workbook to help organize your thoughts and ideas for your song. You will also find a tutorial on how to use Garage Band to create music for your lyrics. I would love to hear your song! Create a video of your song and share in your dojo portfolio and let me know so I can watch it. Have fun being creative with this resource.
The following page is CMHOF Fun at Home. Here you will find resources to explore exhibits, learn about instruments, and create your own record label.