First grade begins the year with a concentration on beat, both large scale (macrobeat) and smaller and quicker (microbeat): feeling it in the body, and performing it in both songs and games. They have also used many of the classroom instruments in performing the beat: drums, xylophones, claves, woodblocks, tambourines. This provides a basis for the “rhythm of the day” activities that include both duple and triple rhythms and lay the groundwork for rhythmic notation reading skills. A highlight of the year is always the performance of the story The Pumpkin Patch on a variety of instruments. Songs such as Chook Chook, Mr. Owl and Mi Gallo will be part of this exploration that includes movement, pitched accompaniment on xylophones and glockenspiels,, as well as the challenge of singing in tune. Hands on music making is the rule in this classroom.
"The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children."
Cheryl Lavender