MUSIC
JBE STUDENTS GET THE BEAT IN MUSIC!
last updated January, 2005
 

The music program at James B. Edwards Elementary School focuses on student involvement in learning the language of music.  In all five grades students experiment with making music and reading music notation on our many Orff music instruments in our new computer music lab.

I am currently in my 31st year of teaching music in public schools. My philosophy of teaching states, ‘Every child will grow in concept development through hands-on involvement with instruments, body rhythms, dance and movement, listening skills, and vocal skills. Students will explore sequential lessons in learning to read and perform the language of music.A progressive study of music will provide the student with basic insights to our cultural heritage and other world cultures, and an appreciation and understanding of the arts.’

 

Want to hear this music?  Just click on the picture! Can you read this music?  If you have an instrument, see if  you can play this. To practice for the 4th Grade Chorus Test click

SPRING FESTIVAL..... An old-fashioned day to celebrate a year-long study of the world around us.  Click this picture to view the May Pole dance. Students work throughout the year researching and developing a topic of global awareness. The overall  goal is to expand each child's ability to live with integrity in today's world. To develop this thematic unit, classes prepare a skit with songs, dances, costumes, and scenery. The fourth grade chorus performs the skit with all students singing, dancing, and playing instruments. This special morning in May culminates with the traditional weaving of six maypoles by the fifth graders, all of whom are dressed in pastel colors.

MOVEMENT IS INCORPORATED WITH MOST OF OUR ACTIVITIES AS WE ADD MOTIONS AND DANCES TO OUR SONGS. STUDENTS LEARN TO FEEL THE BEAT AND RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY TO MUSICAL SOUNDS.

THE PRIMARY EMPHASIS IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM IS TO ENHANCE EACH STUDENT'S SELF CONCEPT AND ABILITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH FREQUENT PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE A GRADE LEVEL PLAY EACH YEAR AND AN ENTIRE SCHOOL PRODUCTION IN MAY. JBE KIDS KNOW A MUSIC DAY WILL BE FUN AND FILLED WITH ACTIVITY.

WE LOVE TO VISIT LOCAL NURSING HOMES AND ENTERTAIN THOSE WHO CANNOT GET OUT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. HERE WE ARE ON OUR ANNUAL WALKING FIELD TRIP ALL DRESSED IN COSTUME. WE ARE  READY FOR THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE TOY SOLDIERS AND THE MOUSE KING'S ARMY IN MARY KAY BEALE'S, "NUTCRACKER". FIFTH GRADERS CAN CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN A ONCE A WEEK CHORUS SESSION DURING RECESS TIME.  LEARNING DANCES, SONGS, AND ACTING WAS A LOT OF FUN!

 

	FAMOUS COMPOSER SERIES MARVELOUS MOZART! 1756-1792
View these sites:	http://www.mozartproject.org/biography/index.html http://www.island-of-freedom.com/Mozart.html
Answer these questions.	1. At what age did Mozart compose his first piece?  2. Name one of Mozart's most famous operas.  3. Do the actors speak in an opera?  4. At what age did Mozart die?
For extra credit, click the music and answer the questions on a worksheet.
	Click on the bus to return to JBE's Main Page!