Wednesday, February 25, 2009

4th grade writing assignment

4th grade Writing Assignment Name___________________ Class______

This year’s music program is about taking care of our planet earth. Think about some of the things you do at home, at school or out in the community that helps to clean up the earth. Maybe you plant a garden each year, or collect cans or newspapers. Maybe you and your relatives get together to plant trees or flowers in the spring.

Write 2 paragraphs, at least 5 sentences in each paragraph, telling what you do to take care of the earth. If you are not doing a good job at that, maybe you have a plan for what you would like to start doing. Use descriptive adjectives and colorful words. I will be grading on ideas so use many details and word choice. I will also be grading on conventions. The final draft is due March 20. Your outline or rough draft is due March 6.

March Music News

2009
Dear Parents,

In the month of March all 4th graders will be developing performance skills such as posture, singing in tune, correct breathing for a rich tone. We will use these skills as we prepare for our spring program entitled, “Save the Earth”, which will include songs of caring for the earth. Some students will have speaking parts and a few solo parts. 4th grade choir has been sounding great and will perform at the program. Nice school clothes will be appropriate for the program. Our program will be given at the Sparta Senior High Auditorium on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m.
All 4th graders have a writing assignment, which is due final draft, March 20th.

5th graders are getting ready for testing on recorders, performing their own compositions, the C scale and performing in a team. A few students have been coming unprepared to class. Any help in finding lost recorders would be appreciated. There were many great compositions so please do encourage boys and girls to practice so they may perform well on their tests. Thank you.

After recorder testing is finished 5th graders will be getting into listening teams and answering questions about the 11 compositions we have been studying. After we have done the matching game 5 times there will be a written test on the listening pieces (in April). The top 6 students will compete in a listening competition held in Cashton in May. In the last few years I have had teams going on to a state competition, which means the students have been learning a lot about music and composers.

5th grade choir is busy preparing for their trip to Winona April 3rd. I am still looking for chaperones for that day. We are purchasing T shirts. Please send sizes in ASAP so we can get them ordered. Thank you so much. They sound great and will look great, too.

Musically,
Mrs. Bright

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

4th Grade Choir Information

4th Grade Parents,

I will be offering an enrichment program for all fourth graders who like to sing. 4th grade choir will begin the second semester on Day 2 from 11:15 until 11:40 starting January 21. Students who want to join should enjoy singing and be willing to make a commitment to being at every practice. I know this will mean giving up a recess, but it is the best time I have for offering a choir time.

The main goal is to improve vocal technique by singing extra and a little more difficult repertoire. We will sing at the spring program and hopefully at Rolling Hills or perform some other community service.

Thank you for your interest in this enrichment. Please return the following by January 21.

Mrs. Bright




_______Yes, my son/daughter has my permission to be in choir.


Parent’s Signature________________________________________

Student Signature_________________________________________

January Meadowview Music News

January Music News, 2009

4th Graders will be finishing up on their recorders. They will be performing their compositions and will need to be able to play them without the note names written in. This will require extra practice so please encourage that. Please send back the green practice sheets you have been signing by January 19th. 4th grade will also be singing Dr Martin Luther King songs and learning about forms: AB, ABA and Rondo. We will also be working on music listening skills.

4th grade choir will begin on Day 2 second semester so look for a sign up sheet for that soon. The only time I have is over the noon hour. It will require students missing noon recess once a week. Regular attendance is expected.

5th Graders will be starting recorders January 15, so please remind them to be prepared with their recorders on music days. We will be alternating recorders with listening lessons, studying 11 compositions, their composers, form, style, instruments, and mood. In April, 6 students will be chosen to compete in a regional music listening contest, similar to a spelling bee.

5th grade choir members will be preparing for their songfest trip on Friday, April 3, to Winona State University. It is a fun day with boys and girls singing for and singing with 500 area choir members. I will need chaperones for this trip, please, if you have time to volunteer.


Musically,
Mrs. Bright

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December Music News 2008

December Music News, 2008

The big news, of course, is the 5th grade music program. The boys and girls are working very hard on getting their parts memorized. We will perform “Pictures of December” Dec. 16 at 7:00 pm at the Sparta Senior High Auditorium. We will put on the program in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. also as a dress rehearsal. Boys and girls should come at 6:45 p.m. the evening of the 16th and stay with their parents in the seats until I dismiss them by class to go and line up in the hallway. Nice school clothes is appropriate for the program. After the program this year, there will be a bake sale held with proceeds going towards the fund for students with negative balances in their lunch accounts.
Right after vacation we’ll begin with recorders. It would be a good idea to bring recorders to school now so they are ready to go after the holiday break.

4th grade is doing well on recorders. I hope you are hearing improvement at home. I encourage boys and girls to take recorders home and practice. It's the only way to improve! Please return green practice sheets to school by the second week in January for grading purposes. They will soon be composing a song of their own to perform for me. This will be the major part of their grade for the 2nd trimester. It will take some practice time at home to do well.
The 4th graders will have a holiday sing-along on Dec. 18th at 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. in the cafetorium. Classes will perform a song, perform on recorders and sing holiday songs together. Join us for a fun time!

5th grade choir will be marching and singing in the Christmas parade Dec.5th at 6:00 p.m. Line up at 5:45 on the corner of N.Water by Park Bank. On Dec. 12th they will be caroling at the Morrow home from 11:30-12:10 over the noon hour. Parents may come ` and watch. Wear your Santa hats! We will also be performing at the 5th grade program.

Take time to relax and enjoy some of the many wonderful musical events that Sparta is offering this holiday season. It's a great way to spend time with the family.

Happy Holidays!Mrs. Bright

Program Letter

Dear Parents,


The fifth graders are busy preparing for their holiday program, “Pictures of December”. Boys and girls should wear good school clothes.

The program will be held Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00 P.M. at Sparta High School auditorium. We will have a dress rehearsal run-through that same day at 1:30 P.M. for any who are unable to come in the evening. All boys and girls are still needed and expected to come for the evening performance. Many of the boys and girls have speaking or solo parts and all are necessary for a successful program.

Boys and girls should be at the High School by 6:45 PM and sit with parents until called to line up in the hallway. For safety reasons, students should please stay seated and not run in the halls. Make bathroom stops first before going in to sit down. Please keep coats in the seats because students will return to their parents at the end of the program.

A bake sale will be held at the program this year with proceeds going to the fund for students with negative balances in their lunch accounts.

I hope you can all find time in this busy holiday season to sit back, relax, and enjoy our performance. Thank you for your support of the music program.
Happy Holidays!


Musically,
Mrs. Bright, Music Teacher

Monday, November 3, 2008

5th Grade Writing Assignment

Writing Assignment


Most families have their own special traditions during the holidays. Some of you may go visit grandma or other relatives. You may serve certain foods during the holidays or bake special cookies. Some of you may go to church or travel on a vacation to someplace warm. Maybe you take special shopping trips, play out in the snow, go hunting or just spend time together with your family.

Because our program this year is titled, “Pictures of December”, your assignment is to draw a picture of your family traditions during the holidays, any time from Thanksgiving to New Years and then write about your traditions in the drawing. You will be able to go into more details if you choose one event such as putting up or decorating the tree, baking, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day rather than giving an overview of the whole holiday season.

You need to have a drawing on one paper which I will provide, and then two paragraphs describing your drawing. Your drawing may be pen, pencil, colors, or markers. No computer-generated drawings accepted. Each paragraph needs at least 5 sentences. Of course, feel free to do more! You may type it if you like. The final draft is due Dec. 4th. Rough drafts are due November 18. I will be grading on your ideas (details), word choice (descriptive adjectives), conventions (spelling, punctuation), and presentation.