Fun Music Websites

Here are some great music websites with lots of activities and games. These are a great way for your child to learn through play! Click on the address and it will link you to the website!

http://www.creatingmusic.com

http://www.classicsforkids.com/games

http://www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/musicroom.asp


Have fun!

Simple Tips for Healthy Singing

There is such a thing as healthy and unhealthy singing. Of course, I would like all children to use healthy singing techniques in order to produce a more beautiful sound without damaging their vocal cords. Here are some simple steps to ensure beautiful, healthy singing:

1. Open your mouth! You'd be amazed what a difference it makes when you open your mouth wide, allowing for better resonance.

2. Enunciate. Slightly over-exaggerate the words you are singing so the audience can hear you more clearly.

3. Stand up or sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed but back.

4. Drink plenty of water.

5. Try to warm-up before you sing. Long, slower tones going up and down work well. Use syllables such as "ooh" or "maa". I would bet that your kids know my warm-ups pretty well by now and could do them on their own.

6. Try to sing in your "head voice" as much as possible. The head voice is usually a light, clear sound. You can almost feel it "vibrating" in your head. I sometimes tell the kids to imagine that they are a whale with a spout coming out of their foreheads and to make their sound come out of that hole. Here is an interesting video about the head voice vs the chest voice (the lower, more aggressive sounding voice): http://www.ehow.com/video_2388050_head-voice-vs_-chest-voice.html

7. Use common sense. If it hurts, stop! It is always a good idea to take breaks and of course, have lingering problems checked by a doctor.

First Grade Song Lyrics and Props- We Need Your Help!

For this song, "This Little Light of Mine", each 1st grade student will need a flashlight with batteries in it. They should bring these to school with them the week before the concert (May 17th-May 21st) with their name and phone number on it. They can bring them home the day of the concert (Tuesday, May 25th).

Please let me know ahead of time if you cannot find or borrow a flashlight, or if you have extras to lend. Please note that I have very few extra lights.

Here are the lyrics for "This Little Light of Mine":

Refrain:

This little Light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Verse 1:

I'm gonna take this light around the world
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Refrain

Verse 2:

I won't let anyone (blow) it out
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Refrain

Everyday, everyday, I'm gonna let my little light shine

Costumes for Third Grade Performance

As you know, all third grade classes will be performing a song from a different country. I do not expect every child to have an authentic costume for the performance, but it would be nice to represent the country in some way.

I am asking all classes to wear black pants/skirts and black tops as the basic uniform for the performance, unless otherwise stated. Each class will then have some accessory from their country. Please make sure black tops and bottoms are fairly plain (please no sparkles or large logos!) If the only shirt you can find has large or colorful logos, you may turn it inside out.

Here are the details for each class. Please note that some will be made in class and all others the students will be responsible for providing.

Ms Fructman's class:
1. Black pants/skirts and black shirts
2. Paper piupiu skirts. These will be made in class.

Ms Eplin's class:
1. Black pants and black shirts for BOYS
2. Long, colorful skirts and black shirts for GIRLS
3. Long scarves for BOYS (any color but solid or simple pattern is best)

4. Head scarves for GIRLS (This can be a simple bandanna, preferably a solid color)




Ms. Selover's class:
1. The traditional Korea clothing, or hanbok, is very distinct and difficult to replicate with just one or two accessories. I would like to see if we can borrow some hanbok from parents of Greenbrook students. If this is not possible, then students should wear black pants and black shirts and we will make hats for the students.
If you have children's hanbok or know someone who does and might be willing to let us borrow them, please let me know.












Ms. Caldera's class:
1. Black pants/skirts and black shirts
2. Paper hula skirts (If you have grass or plastic hula skirts, feel free to bring these)
3. Headbands. We will make these in class.

Ms. Edgren's class:
1. Black pants and black shirt for BOYS
2. Black shirt for GIRLS
3. Colorful scarf for BOYS (must be long enough to tie around waist)
4. Long, colorful skirt for GIRLS
5. Flower crown for GIRLS hair. We will make these in class.

Ms. Ravin's class:
1. Black pants for BOYS
2. Black shirt for GIRLS
3. Short-sleeved, colorful shirt for boys (solid colors)

4. Long, colorful skirts for GIRLS (if you have any with ruffles, that would be very appropriate)
5. Head scarf for GIRLS. Any bandanna is fine, preferably not the "cowboy/cowgirl" prints
6. Hats for BOYS. I will provide these.

New Song for First Graders: Each of Us is a Flower

A new song for first graders! This song celebrates the individuality of each child using the symbolism of individual flowers in the garden of life. Here are the lyrics:

Each of us is a flower
Growing in life's garden
Each of us is a flower
We need the sun and rain
(repeat)

Sun, shine your warmth on me
Moon, cool me with your night
Wind, bring the gentle rain
Earth, dig my roots down deep