Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Grade 1/2 - Xylophone/Metallophone Expectations

 


The Grade 1's and 2's recently had their first Xylophone/Metallophone (Orff instruments) lesson of the year.  They enjoyed playing a chord to the beat during the song 'Falling Leaves'.  

We focussed on gently playing the beat, playing on the middle of the key with our mallets (the bellybutton of the key) and holding our mallets like a turtle.

This is the poster we use to help with playing the Orff instruments:






We have always talked about 'Bicycle Hands' while holding our mallets  - however they are responding well to thinking about a turtle.  Turtles have long necks and short tails so we need to keep our hands with an open grasp closer to the end of the mallet (by the tail).





Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Hey Hey Look at Me! - Kindergarten

 


Kindergarten has been working with an action song called 'Hey! Hey! Look at Me!'

There are many Music curriculum connections with this song:

  • moving to the beat
  • listening and moving our bodies to show the high and low sounds
  • music can be fast or slow
  • music can be loud or quiet
  • using our singing voice and speaking voice


Friday, October 9, 2026

Grade 1/2 John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - a lesson on Musical Dynamics

 


John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt


Grade 1 and 2 have been using the song 'John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt' as a way to listen for and respond to changes in dynamics (volume) in Music.  We started by singing the song loud (forte)_and gradually got quieter as we sang each verse.  Students indicated the correct dynamics of each verse of the song.  Their favourite part was when they got to sing very loud (fortissimo) when they got to the 'tra la la la la la la' part!


Our Dynamics display in the classroom:

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Musicplayonline Access for Students

 



Hello Lake Bonavista Families, 


 Lake Bonavista School has a Musicplayonline subscription. As part of our subscription, students are able to access the website from home. 

Instructions: 

Once you are logged in, you will see a discover feature on the left hand side of the screen. This is where your student can look for songs, games, and activities that we have done in Music class. 

Have fun! 
Julie Kawchuk

Monday, September 14, 2026

September Circle Dance

 September Circle Dance



Grade 3/4 and 5/6 recently learned a Circle Dance to "September" by Earth Wind and Fire.


It was a wonderful way for us to help build community at the beginning of the year.  We also used this as an opportunity to work on:


  • Rhythm

  • Musical form

  • Expression

  • Movement

 The students enjoyed singing along to the song as well.


Grade 1/2 - Xylophone/Metallophone Expectations

  The Grade 1's and 2's recently had their first Xylophone/Metallophone (Orff instruments) lesson of the year.  They enjoyed playing...