March 26- April 5 Welcome to MP 4

Hello Everyone and Welcome to the final marking period of the 2012-2013 school year!

Seventh Grade - We will begin the marking period with notes on the parts of music.  We will also be learning how to assemble rhythms in 4/4 time.  We will discover the pentatonic scale and create our own song. 
Our first written quiz/test will be on Friday April, 5.  There will not be homework the first 6 days unless class work is not completed.  This will be case by case, but there is ample time in class to complete assignments.

Eighth Grade - We will be discussing notes and their values.  We will be creating complex rhythms.  We will learn a piece of calypso music and create our own lyrics and accomp. on percussion instruments.  We will be having a written test on Friday, April, 5 on the notes and their values.

Chorus Class - We will be putting all aspects of our spring song together.  There will be a test on this Thursday, April 4th.  We will also be discussing choreography of the girl/guy feature songs.

March 18 - 26

Eighth Grade - We are finish our Rock and Roll Presentations through the course of this marking period.  If we have a day or two left at the end of the marking period, we will do some karaoke singing.

Seventh Grade - We are doing the sing off and using our critical listening skills.  We are also evaluating our song selections.

Chorus Class - We are working on the song for the spring concert as well as continuing to hone our sight singing skills.

March 11 - 15

Seventh Grade - We will be listening to the songs chosen by the classmates.  We will use a Venn Diagram to compare different artists.  We will also do a few critical song evaluations.  We will do a few lessons using Multicultural Music.

Eighth Grade - We are continuing our Rock and Roll unit.  We are discussing disco era and several solo artists this week.  We will be PSSA testing on Tues. and Wednesday.

Chorus Class - We are working on the vocals for our song as well as choreography for other song selections.  We are continuing to work on our sight singing.

March 4-8

Seventh Grade - Monday we are finishing our commercial.  We will begin a mini unit on the Freedom Riders that will last the remainder of the week.  We will be delving into the song We Shall Overcome, and we will discover how one song helped to change the face of our country.

Eighth Grade - We begin our Rock and Roll unit on Monday with Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard.  Tuesday will be our last guitar day as we discuss Elvis and then play one of his songs.  We also discuss Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, The Beatles, and Aretha this week.

Chorus Class - We will be doing choreography, sight singing, and Solo Auditions.

Feb. 25 - March 1

Seventh Grade - We will be starting a Jingle Unit.  We will be discussing Jingles on Monday.  All students will write a jingle during class on Tuesday.  If they do not finish their jingle in class they will have it for homework.  Wednesday - we will perform our jingles.  Thursday and Friday we will choose our favorite jingle and create our own commercial.

Eighth Grade - RESEARCH PROJECTS are due on TUESDAY FEB. 26th.  We are learning about different jazz artists while we create our own 12 bar blues piece.  We will also discover the challenges and fun in improvisation!

Chorus Class - We will be learning the vocals to our spring piece as well as discussing choreography for the senior high selection.

February 19-22

Seventh Grade - We are working on our found sound projects.  All students will be using their found sound instrument with their group.  They will be writing a piece of music collectively that they will be able to perform.  Friday we will be reading and singing three part harmony using a piece of choral music.

Eighth Grade - We are continuing with our guitar unit.  Each student was introduced to 5 chords.  They will be playing their chords to a song they chose to play.  As they play their selection the class will sing along.  We will also be starting our 12 bar blues/jazz discussion.

Research projects are due on February 26th.  The rubric is posted on the blog!

Chorus Class - We are continuing to sing county chorus music.  We are also sight singing.

**All NS county Chorus participants are asked to donate a case of water!

Feb. 14

Seventh - All students must bring a FOUND SOUND INSTRUMENT to school on Tuesday, Feb. 19th.  It is a homework grade, but we will be using them in class as well.

Eighth Grade - Students are to continue with their research projects - Due Feb. 26.