Ms. Miller's Music Blog

  Hi Parents and Students,  With advanced technology, scientists are now able to study and measure effects that music has on the brain.  This short video, demonstrates the postitive benefits of learning to play an instrument and how that affects brain development.   Please enjoy! How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brai n

  Hi Tuscany Families; The KG students have been enjoying music class and I have been enjoying the KG students.   Success Criteria for the KG students so far includes: 1. I can participate in playing instruments, games and singing.   2. I can show a steady beat. 3. I can feel when my voice is on and when it is off. 4. I can make lip puffing sounds and I can make tongue dancing sounds. 5. I can identify four families of non-pitched percussion instruments.  Woods, metals, shaker/scraper, and skin families. 6. I can experience pitch as high, low and medium. 7. I can move and improvise movement to music. 8. I can experience music and movement as fast/slow and loud/quiet. The KG classes participate in a variety of games that have a particular focus in music. We play games that encourage students to use a solo singing voice and games that help the student to experience music at different tempi and dynamics.  They enjoy the opportunity to choose which tempo o...

 Hi Tuscany Families; Recently, the grades 3-5 students recorded the song, "Strawberry Moon" by Tara Williamson, who composed song in Ojibiway and in English.   Tuscany registered to compete in the Canadian Music Class Challenge and chose a song by a First Nations Artist because of our rich work surrounding the First Nations people.   Let's cheer on our students for a job well done!! Strawberry Moon recording Learning Intentions for "Strawberry Moon" by Tara Williamson 1. I can sing the melody. 2. I can understand that the melody makes a song recognizable. 3. I can understand the musical FORM of the song as A B A B A B A A 4. I can sing using good diction, enunciating the lyrics clearly. 5. I can sing using different dynamics. 6. I can experience singing in a group. 7. I can respond to the conductor's cues

  KG students have learned the 4 non-pitched percussion (NPP) instrument families:  metals, skin, woods, shaker/scraper. KG's are learning about syllables.  We are creating a 4 beat pattern using animals and fruit (not seen here).  To ensure success, we have started with animals that are only one syllable, then will add two-syllable animals/objects and have them create a 4 beat pattern using both.  Our next step will be for them to create these patterns independently.     Not pictured:  students have been using scarves while listening to music about the fall leaves falling to the ground to experience self-expression and are they moving to the music appropriately.  For example, if the music is fast are they acknowledging that tempo in their movement, or if it is slow, are they following the music with their bodies or doing their own thing. 

Hello Parents;   The following diagram is an outline of what Kindergarten students are learning this year in music.  The classes have learned 4 instrument families of non-pitched percussion instruments: woods, metals, skin, shaker/scraper.  They've also learned that some instruments can belong to more than one family.    In Kindergarten we have focused on BEAT and keeping a steady beat.  The concept is related to a clock keeping a steady tick tick...time and also to the heartbeat keeping a steady beat.  Even when the heart speeds up or slows down it is steady.  Just like music, which has a steady beat and keeps a beat that can go faster or slower.   I am looking forward to a great year!