Welcome to your first Music Memo. The Music Memo tells you everything you need to know to be ready for music classes each week. i’ll post a new Music Memo each week by Monday morning. In this first post I’ll go over what to expect in music class and basic expectations when using Zoom. I will lead one 30 minute online class for each grade. Please note the updated class times on my home page.
Each week I’ll share a sing-along song, dance and rhythmic theme of the week that we’ll explore in our classes. I’ll send them out in advance so you can practice beforehand. Of course we’ll do other things as well depending on the grade and class. **3rd-5th graders can click by grade above for more resources.
What to bring to class each week (optional/if you have it)
K-1: any of the following: rhythm sticks, drumsticks chopsticks, pair of wooden spoons, two pencils.
2nd: same as K-1 plus xylophone, xylophone app or xylophone template (see xylophone post for details)
3rd: Same as 2nd plus recorder
4th: Same as 2nd plus ukulele
5th Band: Your instrument, sheet music, band book.
5th Strings: Your instrument instrument and sheet music.
I know that the thing we all miss most about school is being together. The sing-along theme for the rest of the school year is Songs of Friendship and Connection.
Last week the world lost, in my opinion, a musical icon in Bill Withers. Perhaps his most enduring song was one that the 5th grade band is playing and I was already planning to start with.
Song of The Week: Lean On Me by Bill Withers
Album version
Live At Carnegie Hall
Lean on Me Lyrics (and instrumental parts for xylophones, recorders and ukuleles)
K-1 Dance of the week: Clap clap song
2-5 Dance of the week
Pata pata, a traditional South African dance (the song was made famous by Miriam Makeba)
(yes, this video is a little hokey but it teaches the dance)
Rhythm Theme of the Week: Spring Flowers
We’ll be making rhythms out of names of spring flowers. Try putting different flower names together and speak to the beat to make a rhythmic pattern. K-1: Two flowers. 2nd-3rd: 4 flowers. 4th-5th: 8 flowers.
Example: Star Lily Lavender Paintbrush Rose.
Can’t think of flower names? Here’s a link to some common bay area wildflowers
Zoom Expectations
Only join the classes for your grade level. I understand that in some households with multiple siblings and limited space or computers that this may not be possible.
As the host I am able to mute and unmute everyone. You will enter the class muted. That means you will only be able to see everyone but only hear me. If the classes are small (under 25) I may use the unmute feature and/or the breakout room feature for sharing among participants.
I may choose to enable the chat room feature if you have a question for me or need me to repeat something. If I do, I will have it set so that you can write only to me.
I will enable the waiting room feature so that if you get there before me you can join. I will keep my eye on the join button for the first 5 minutes. If you are late and we are in the middle of the class I may not notice that you are trying to join.
If you have questions or want to connect with me outside of class, please use my email:
See you on Zoom!
Musically,
Mr. Schraft
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