Second graders have been busy this year! They continue to build upon known rhythmic concepts. Students are skilled at writing, reading, and identifying ta, ti-ti, and rest patterns in music. They are beginning to work on a new rhythmic concept that is two beats long and one sound. Eventually, this will be called "two" and named a half note.
Students have also learned about the music staff, which is comprised of 5 lines and 4 spaces. We use solfege to help us sing from the staff. Second graders know so and mi and that they are a skip apart on the staff. This means that if "so is on a line, then mi is on the line below, or if so is in a space, then mi is in the space below." Students write known patterns from songs we sing in class on the music staff. They are beginning to recognize higher notes in their songs which we are calling "high" for now. More to come on this later in the year!
Some of their favorite songs are: "Let Us Chase the Squirrel", "Naughty Kitty Cat", "Cut the Cake", and "All Around the Buttercup." Ask your second grader to sing them for you!
In the next few weeks, preparation for the second grade music program will begin. The second graders will be presenting a program around the theme "Carnival of the Animals." French composer, Camille Saint-Saens, wrote a large work of this title which includes short songs to depict various animals. Students will begin learning the music for the program and more information will be sent home soon!
Students have also learned about the music staff, which is comprised of 5 lines and 4 spaces. We use solfege to help us sing from the staff. Second graders know so and mi and that they are a skip apart on the staff. This means that if "so is on a line, then mi is on the line below, or if so is in a space, then mi is in the space below." Students write known patterns from songs we sing in class on the music staff. They are beginning to recognize higher notes in their songs which we are calling "high" for now. More to come on this later in the year!
Some of their favorite songs are: "Let Us Chase the Squirrel", "Naughty Kitty Cat", "Cut the Cake", and "All Around the Buttercup." Ask your second grader to sing them for you!
In the next few weeks, preparation for the second grade music program will begin. The second graders will be presenting a program around the theme "Carnival of the Animals." French composer, Camille Saint-Saens, wrote a large work of this title which includes short songs to depict various animals. Students will begin learning the music for the program and more information will be sent home soon!