Owen Public School, Wednesday Oct. 31 (3:50 - 4:50)

Hello everyone! Our class this week was extra fun with all the Halloween costumes! The primary students progressed very well this week, covering two lessons in one hour! We reviewed Hi & Lo and we did word phrase clap backs. We also reviewed "Group of Two, Down to C" to find all the C's on the keyboard. In our second lesson, we learned about holding notes for 2, 3, and 4 beats. We even got a new teacher, Mr. Bach!

Home Assignments

Primary Students (Everyone except Willow & Neha)

1. Practice clapping your hands four times and saying a sentence like we did in class. Ex: My feet smell like roses
2. Review "Group of 2, Down to C" if you have a keyboard at home, and be able to find all the C's.
3. Recite your musical alphabet a few times to keep it in your mind.

Next week is our real live Bongo Boy competition, so everyone practice their rhythms by clapping their hands and reciting their word phrases!

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Willow and Neha began practicing Old Grey Goose, reviewed finger numbers, and notes on the keyboard. We also learned about stem direction on the staff (When the note head is on the middle line and above it, stems go down, and that below the middle line of the staff, stems go up. This makes the music look better and makes it easier to read).

Both Willow and Neha are progressing very quickly and very well. I am very impressed and proud of both of them. They are working hard in their lessons and are already able to read notes and rhythms very well. Both need to concentrate on keeping their eyes one note ahead while reading the music they are playing. Neha needs to concentrate on her hand position more (keeping all the fingers on the keyboard while playing the notes), and Willow needs to make sure she can play the pieces at a speed where she can play all the rhythms and notes correctly.

Home Assignments

Senior Students (Willow & Neha)

1. Review the notes in the Treble Clef (Lines: Every Good Boy Deserve Fudge; Spaces: FACE), and in the Bass Clef (Lines: Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always; Spaces: All Cows Eat Grass).
2. Review Whole Notes, Half Notes, & Quarter Notes. (Whole Notes are worth 4 beats, Half Notes are worth 2 beats, and Quarter Notes and worth 1 beat.)
3. Be able to explain to me what 4/4 time is next week.
4. Practice A Tisket, A Tasket (below) at a speed that allows you to play all the right notes and rhythms. Instead of a 4/4 time signature at the beginning, the piece is marked C for common time. Common time is 4/4. 4 beats per bar. Pay attention to the fingering and proper hand position. We will play it for each other in class next week.

Also please remember to bring your folders with Ode To Joy and A Tisket, A Tasket in them. We will need our music every week.

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I would like to extend an invitation to the children next week - If they would like to bring a friend to class for a one class trial, they are welcome to next week. Spaces are limited, so it is first come first serve. Please email me at laura.k.savage@gmail.com if your child is interested in bringing a friend.

See you next week!

-Laura