We are "back to normal" here in the music room! This is my favorite time of year!

In kindergarten/early primary...
We have been learning a "song a day"- we had a day on Rudolph, now we're having a "Jingle Bells Day" and next time we will spend time on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

In 1st...
Our program is done! and it was WONDERFUL! We are celebrating and singing Christmas songs. We will spend time reflecting on the program and talking about why it was so excellent.

In 2nd/3rd/primary...
Now that the Nutcracker is done, we are watching a recording of the New York City Ballet performing the Nutcracker. It is so fun to see the "real thing."

In 4th/5th...
We are working on a Christmas Caroling unit. We have talked about the history and are now learning carols to go sing to the younger classes next week.

I hope you have a wonderful week! Stay warm! and remember....

We are right in the middle of programs here in the music room! Last week, the 2nd and 3rd graders had a FANTASTIC performance of The Nutcracker. We are all ready this week for the 1st grade and Primary performances! I can't wait to see more parents and help these great kids perform. 

This weekend, I will be going to see The Nutcracker Ballet at CY Stephens Auditorium in Ames. My sister is in her 5th year performing with the company and is a flower this year. If anyone is interested, there are tickets still available for all three performances (Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 and Sunday at 1:30). You can find tickets HERE.

Thanks for all of your support at home making these programs possible! Have a great weekend--- looks like some snow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are getting so excited for our upcoming performances of the Nutcracker and How the Penguins Saved Christmas!

The note that was sent home to 2/3/Primary parents (accidentally) did not include what the Russian Bakers should wear! I'm so sorry! They need to be dressed in the same outfit as the soldiers- white shirt, black pants.


In the other sections we are also keeping busy!

Fifth grade is working on the Fifty Nifty United States. Let me tell you- It's HARD! We are currently memorized through Ohio and have sung the whole song! Ask your fifth grader to try it!

Fourth grade is busy with recorders. We are working hard on note reading and the students are quickly becoming independent. This week, we are coming up with our own sayings to remember the lines and spaces- what creative responses :).

In Kindergarten, we are working on a surprise for our teachers--- ask your student!

Early Primary has been singing lots of Thanksgiving songs- Turkey, Turkey; I wish I were a Turkey; Over the River and Through the Woods. We have continued on working on loud and soft- they are tricky!


I hope you all have a wonderful, happy Thanksgiving! Mrs. W

What a busy week!

In kindergarten, early primary, and 1st grade we did centers for the first time (for all of us- Mrs. Walker included!) and it was AWESOME!  We had two centers that were visual, coloring centers; one computer center (www.dsokids.com); and a reading room! As a teacher, I'm so excited to add the new tool of centers to my ever-growing toolbox.

We are hard at work in 2nd, 3rd, and primary on The Nutcracker- What a show! The kids are working so hard- it's a lot of words and notes! We are so excited to perform for you.

In 4th and 5th we are wrapping up The Music Man. The kids packets will be coming home this cycle. We have one day left and will finish the musical the day that the High School production opens. I'm so pleased with the thoughtful conversations and discussions we've had from this!

I hope to see lots of parents and kids during elementary school conferences in just a couple of weeks :) Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Monday!

We're busy, busy, busy here in the music room! We're finishing up the Music Man in fourth and fifth grades and have been talking a lot about good vs. evil. Why do we like Harold Hill even though he steals? Are his compliments that are lies really bad, or do they make people happy? Does that matter?
We've had a lot of great conversations :).

Have a great week!

Happy Monday!

We are excited for a great week at Forest City Elementary :)

What's going on this week?
4/5: Halfway through The Music Man, singing partner songs from The Music Man
2/3/Primary: Trying Chinese Tea since we have this song MEMORIZED for The Nutcracker!
1: Working on the moves for our program and starting on the set!
K/Early Primary: Halloween songs, introducing high versus low, and finishing our Fantasia unit

Friday is homecoming and we are excited for the parade in the afternoon!

Have a great week- Mrs. W.

Happy Friday, Everyone! 

Best Part of Today

The best part of today...

Welcome to Mrs. Walker's blog! I will try to add a post weekly (or more!) to keep you up with what we're doing in elementary music at Forest City Elementary. 

The best part of today was in 1st grade music while working on their program, "The Penguins Who Saved Christmas." A quick synopsis of the show: Santa and the reindeer crash at the South Pole on Christmas Eve and Santa has amnesia. The penguins must help Santa remember so that Christmas can be saved. 

Today, out of a class of about 20 1st graders, HALF of them knew their lines! They only have had them at home for 4 days! Way to go, Mrs. Tiedman's class--- and the parents!

If your student is in a program this December and has lines, continue to help them at home! Thanks for all of your help! :)