Music, Drama, and Movement

Our fourth graders have been creating their own choreography to music of their choice and wowing each other and me with their performances! There is so much fun, creative energy in this group, and they are becoming sophisticated performers, calling on the skills they've been working on throughout the year. They have strong movement skills and are also becoming confident public speakers, jumping at the chance to use a microphone in our Two-Minute Mic sessions and at school assemblies. I'm proud of the work these students have done this year and can't wait to see them in the fall as they enter fifth grade. Have a wonderful summer, everyone!

Third grade has been jamming with creativity this spring! They have been working in groups to compose and conduct their own musical pieces and perform for each other; one of the best parts of this is the positive, insightful feedback they are giving each other. I've been so delighted to hear the musical and artistic language and terminology they use to describe the work they are doing. They're currently writing and performing scenes for the sequel to "If I Ever Knew" for next year! Hold onto your hats, everyone! And have a wonderful, relaxing summer! See you in fourth grade! 

It has been an incredible couple of months here in MDM with the first graders. They have grown so much as performers! They wowed their school and families this week with their incredible performance of "The Snail and the Whale," and I am so proud of this group of soon-to-be second graders. They have also been learning some dance rhythms using hula hoops and creating very imaginative small group scenes in our Tableaus game - a favorite with this group. I wish everyone a happy summer and will see you all in the fall in second grade!

Our pre-k students gave their first performance for a very large and very special audience on Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and they were amazing! We've been dancing, singing, and playing rhythms in MDM, growing so much in every way. It has been so wonderful getting to know this creative group of students and I can't wait to see them as kindergarteners in the fall. Have a wonderful summer, everyone!

The kindergarten students spent the first week of April learning how to play "You Are My Sunshine" on the xylophones. By the end of the week, all the kids could play in rhythm with each other and the song sounded beautiful. We had lots of fun acting out places and people doing group tableaus (small group scenes). We also worked on our song for Grandparents and Special Friends Day to ensure that we are ready to perform. We wrapped up third quarter by finishing our Hidden Rhythm Quest. They are a great group of kids and I can't wait to see their creativity on the stage flourish as they move into the older grades!  

As we opened the fourth quarter we had our Letter W week, so we talked a lot about whales and wolves, as well as freeze dancing and posing like "w"-named animals. We also started using rhythm sticks by following the forbidden rhythm videos. This starts teaching them about whole, half, and quarter notes, and rests. They love this game! This week's letter is X so we are excited to start playing the xylophones.