Monday, December 8, 2014

Holiday Windows

Our 2014 Holiday Concert "Holiday Windows" was a big success! Thank You to everyone who worked so hard to make our concert so amazing. The kids all sang their hearts out and the dancing and recorder playing was beyond anything I could have imagined. So many staff and teachers helped and I am very grateful for all their hard work for our students. So now we have two weeks to relax and learn some new holiday music.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

A Wish for Peace

This year our Grade 3-5 Choir will be singing "A Wish for Peace" at our Remembrance Day Service on Friday November 7th. In light of the tragic events in our country in the last week or so, this message is even more important as we gather to remember all the brave people who served and fought for our country as well as the many people in service today. Enjoy and believe that this song is helping us to instill in the children what we wish for our community and world around us. The choir may use this video to practice for our assembly next week.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Treble Clef Note Names

It's very exciting time in the music classroom and the Grade 4's and even the Grade 3/4's are anxiously awaiting their recorders this week. Up until this point, we have been working hard getting to know the treble clef note names so that we can read the music we are about to play on the recorder. This is like another language and it often hard to remember without constant practice and reminders. I have many websites on the right hand side column of this blog under "Favourite Music Links" that can help you practice the note names in a fun way. Soon reading the notes on the staff will be something you know how to do like reading a book or math. Here is also another link to check out with a list of games and some fun videos! http://www.midnightmusic.com.au/2014/08/30-fun-ways-to-teach-the-notes-of-the-staff-using-technology/

Friday, September 19, 2014

Orff

In our classroom I primarily use the Orff approach to teaching music. Many people ask and wonder what this means so I thought I would do a post on this today to clear up any questions people may have. It all started with a man names Carl Orff. He was a composer and had a vision for how to teach children music. The following are two quotes from the AOSA: "Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman conceived an approach to building musicianship in every learner through the integration of music, movement, speech, and drama." "In Orff classrooms, children begin with what they do instinctively: play, imitation, experimentation, and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers. The Orff approach to teaching is a model for optimal learning in 21st Century classrooms." This approach can be used to teach all styles and cultures of music which is something I think is very important. Here is a 2 minute video showing an example of what you might see from an Orff based lesson. I hope this is clear and informative! Teaching music to the students of Linden Meadows is very special and important to me. I take it very seriously and I know everyday when I walk through the front doors...that I have the best job ever!! Sincerely, Mrs. Dueck

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Welcome!

Welcome back everyone and welcome to our new students! I am excited for new beginnings here at Linden Meadows in 2014-2015 and look forward to new lesson ideas, choir, holiday concert, assembly performances, festivals and a mini musical. Make sure you come by and tell me how your summer went if I didn't get to hear in class.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Samba!

This week a few of the classes are learning a little bit about the music of Brazil! Since the World Cup is going on right now in the massively beautiful country of Brazil, we thought this was fitting. How fun it is to learn about a different type of music called Samba! We have learned that Samba is the national dance of Brazil and 4 dance steps to use when we are singing to our new song "And We Dance". The video is of John Jacobson, a music educator and publisher teaching the students the 4 dance steps. Some students requested I post the video so they can practice at home!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Replica Steel Drums

Today, as part of our Caribbean Music Unit, the Grade 5 students made replica steel drums! We were very lucky to have the Linden Meadows community and staff members bring in coffee cans all year long so we could all have one to use. We then used hammers, yes hammers, to make the drums have the concave look that a real steel drum has. It was also fun designing the outside of our drums to look tropical and fun. We learned about the origin of the steel drum and how it is the only instrument invented in the 20th century! What a beautiful day to be outside!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Bravo!

Congratulations to all students and staff who were a part of our musical "Annie". It was a huge success and many memories were made this week! Many hands went into making this come together and we appreciate everyone who was involved. I am so proud of our performers and how hard they worked to make this show spectacular! Also thanks to the friends and family who came and bought tickets to see our show. Bravo!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Annie Poster Contest

Congratulations to our winning artwork by one of our talented grade 6 students!! So excited to see this on the program and posters!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Love will keep us Together

This week for Valentines we have been dancing to the song "Love will keep us together" by Captain and Tenille. The students know they are a band from the 1970's and this was a number 1 hit for them. I promised the kids I would put this video up so they could listen to the song at home and dance in their living room with their families if they wanted!! So get dancing this Valentines weekend!!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Annie Junior

Linden Meadows Grade 5-8 students have been bustling with excitement about this years musical! This year we have chosen to do "Annie Junior" in April and are very excited about all the amazing students who auditioned last week. Everyone who auditioned got a part and practices are already underway! Check the musical bulletin board for all practice times! Stay tuned for more specific information!

Grade 2's Trip to the WSO

The Grade 2 students are all very excited to go to see the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra today! We have been listening to the music that will be played and learning about the composers who wrote the music. We have really had a lot of fun learning about the instruments of the orchestra too! We were so lucky to have Mrs. Wright, a parent from our school come and show us her oboe and English horn, two instruments that we wanted to learn more about. The best part is we are going to look for her on stage because she will be playing in the oboe section today!! Very exciting! We are dressed in our best and ready to represent our school at todays concert.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Kind and Caring

Linden Meadows School is a place where we value "Caring People" and we had made it our goal this year to highlight this. At school this week we made a point of making sure every student knows what a bully is and what to do when they encounter one. In addition to this we talked about our differences and what makes us unique. This important because if we learn to celebrate differences then we will see more kind and caring people. In music class we have read stories, listened to music and created a bulleting board through discussions about what makes us unique. The picture is our bulletin board and every student was able to put their name on a music note and state something about them that they are proud of or something they think is different about them. The result was fabulous! "Each individual is like a single note, together we make a masterpiece!"
Here is a link to our animoto of the brilliant work done around our school! Thanks Mr. Alcock! http://animoto.com/play/choqinSV7j3bFULGczWyXw

Monday, January 6, 2014

2014 Here we Come!

This year will bring some exciting opportunities for our students at Linden Meadows! Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Concerts for the all grade 2 and 5 students as well as Choral Performance opportunities for all Grade 3-5 choir students. The choir practices on Day 3 at 12:25, all are welcome! Join and be a leader at our school! Grade 5-8 students have a musical to look forwards to...stay tuned for auditions coming very soon! 2014 is going to be another great year!