What We Did in February: A Musical Update!
Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well! February has flown by in our music classroom, and I am writing to share a special “What We Did in February” update. It was a month full of discovery, great songs, and foundational musical skills. I want to extend a huge thank you for your continued support—whether it’s encouraging your child to sing at home or ensuring they arrive ready to participate, it truly makes a difference in building our wonderful musical community.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to!
Listening and Learning with Great Artists
This month, we explored the joyous sounds of some incredible musicians. We listened to the iconic Stevie Wonder and his classic hit, “Sir Duke.” The students loved feeling the energy of the brass section and the infectious rhythm. It was a perfect example of how music can bring people together and make us want to move!
Our Favorite Songs
We had so much fun with our singing time!
Pre-K Friends: Our youngest musicians delighted in singing the playful tune “Skinamarinky Dinky Dink” (popularized by the beloved duo Sharon, Lois & Bram). The hand motions and the silly lyrics make this a perennial favorite!
All Together Now: We also learned the joyful Beatles song, “All Together Now.” It was a fantastic way to practice singing as a unified group and celebrating the power of making music with our friends.
Spotlight on Skills: Soloists & Rhyming
We focused on two very important musical concepts this month that help build confident musicians:
Being a Soloist: We discussed how sometimes, even within a big group, a person gets to shine on their own. We practiced what it feels like to be a soloist—playing or singing by yourself and standing out from the group for a moment. It takes courage, and every student did a wonderful job supporting their classmates as an audience and celebrating their turn in the spotlight!
Training Our Ears with Rhyming Words: We dove into the world of rhyming words! We talked about how training our ears to listen for rhymes is like having a secret key to music. When we can identify rhyming patterns, it helps us memorize songs more easily and even anticipate what lyric is coming next—especially in a song we haven’t heard many times before. This is a skill we will continue to build.
Hands-On Fun with Instruments
Of course, we spent plenty of time with our instruments! We worked on two key listening skills:
Improvising: Students were given the freedom to play improvising on their instruments, exploring all the different sounds they could make.
Call and Response: We challenged our ears further by playing call and response games. I would play a short rhythm or sound pattern, and the students would listen carefully and try to copy it, recreating the sound exactly. This is excellent for developing focus and aural skills.
Looking Ahead
We had a fantastic February, and we will continue to strengthen these skills as we move into March. By practicing improvisation, call and response, and listening for musical patterns like rhyming words, we are building a strong foundation for all the music we will explore together.
Thank you again for being such an important part of our music program. I am so proud of all the hard work and creativity your children bring to class every week.
Make music a part of your day!
Warmly,
Mr.Noble