Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The months of November and December have been FILLED with song, dance, and art,as we prepare for the Winter Lights Celebration on December 16th at 1:00. 

We will be singing many Hebrew, Hanukkah,  songs in the concert that begged for circle dances to be danced by the students. Ms Cowan has been so helpful, working with each class to learn a dance that will be performed at the concert as another class sings. 

The last portion of the concert always includes music from favorite holiday musicals or movies. This year, I happened to choose The Peanuts...not even knowing that a new movie was coming out! Ms. Aucter was willing to incorporate cartooning into her curriculum, focusing on The Peanuts, as well. You will enjoy seeing the results at the celebration!

We hope you can attend!

Let's Play,

Hearing students singing the songs we learn in music class while in the hallways or out on the playground is thrilling to me. I teach with the hope that the music in their hearts will burst out of the walls of the classroom and into their everyday lives.

John Feierabend is at the forefront of music education in our generation. A recent addition to his plethora of music ed resources is a book filled with playground songs and rhymes, intended to be learned and then extended onto the playground as students jump rope, clap hands, and play games with a ball. These are a part of our culture that should be passed on, just as folk songs are sung throughout the generations.

So I've named my theme, this year, "Let's Play!". Passing on the traditions, using whole body movement to express steady beat, and singing outside the walls are my goals.

There is a jump rope and a rubber playground ball in the storage cabinet next to drums and tambourines! In January, we will be using the large parachute to enjoy "ensemble play" as students move and sing together.

Music: Outside the walls of the classroom!

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Here are the LYRICS to all of our Winter Lights Concert(December 16, at 1:00pm). Please also see the post before this one to click onto links and listen to each of the songs.











WINTER LIGHTS CONCERT, "GOING NUTS!" December 16, 1:00pm

Thank you for checking out my blog! Happy singing! Just click on the links to sing along with the songs. If there is an option, listen to the two part recordings. Thanks for practicing!


KINDERGARTEN, FIRST, AND SECOND GRADES

Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin, by Vicki Tucker Courtney
http://www.jwpepper.com/10355339.item

FIRST AND SECOND GRADES

Feel the Joy of Hanukkah, by Lois Brownsey and Martin Lunn
http://www.jwpepper.com/10514831.item

THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES

Hanerot Halalu, by Becki Slagle Mayo
http://www.jwpepper.com/10089785.item

ALL STUDENTS
Just Like Me, by Steve Zagree
http://www.jwpepper.com/10070886.item

Christmas Time is Here, by Steve Zagree
http://www.jwpepper.com/Christmas-Time-Is-Here/3296895.item

Happiness, by Greg Gilpin
http://www.jwpepper.com/10363379.item

CHORUS

Hanukkah Nagila, by Linda Spevecek
http://www.jwpepper.com/3192945.item

Madrigal for Christmas, by Audrey Snyder
http://www.jwpepper.com/10364570.item

Masters in This Hall, by Christi Cary Miller
http://www.jwpepper.com/10508635.item





Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Let's Play!

Welcome back to school. I am eager to play! "Let's Play" is our theme this year in music class as we learn to speak, bounce, and jump rope while singing songs, speaking rhymes, and producing rhythms. John Feierabend's new book, "Playground Songs & Rhymes" will provide many activities that build rhythmic and singing skills in a fun way. I am eager to see these songs and rhymes spill out onto the playground every day.

Another focus, this fall, will be the Peanuts comic-strips. The second part of our Winter Lights concert will be songs from the "Charlie Brown, Christmas" show, and ending with the song, "Happiness". Happiness is.....learning to whistle!

Friday, March 20, 2015

As you have probably heard, our spring concert this year is on May 28th at 6pm. The theme is world peace and we will be singing a variety of songs from around the world and about world peace. These songs are inspirational! During rehearsals, some students sing them with their eyes closed and their hands over their hearts...or with their arms circled around each other!

I am attaching the words to to the songs, as well as a link that will allow students to listen to and sing along with the concert music. Enjoy!

Song Lyrics

"Child of Peace", All Students http://www.jwpepper.com/Child-of-Peace/10089161.item#.VQwu-ye9KSM
Our World", grades 1and 2  http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10303763
"Ubuntu", Grades 3 and 4. http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10366706
"We Are the World", Chorus. http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10088100
"Paddy Works on the Railway" Chorus  http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10011846
"Dry Your Tears, Afrika", Chorus http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=3116704
"There is Peace", Chorus  http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10438974