Performing Arts

he Foundation Student settled into the first Performing Arts lessons focusing on finding the beat in songs and movement. The students learnt actions to the song, 'What Do You Think My Name Is?' Selected students sang their names with a 2 note pitch set using the microphone. How cool! They also learnt that as an audience, we applaud performers and to show they are thankful, performers bow. 

Students also learnt how to sing the first 2 notes on the musical ladder, C and D, using solfege hand signs!

In the quest to find the beat, we discovered our heart produces a steady beat as well as a ticking clock. Then we sang the song, 'Choose An Instrument' using our bodies to make a beat, clapping our hands, stomping and tapping our legs. 

The Year 1 students have focused on beet and shh patterns, working together as a class to create their own song. When the pattern was played with a keyboard accompaniment, the songs sounded great! I really like the repeat symbol to add effect. 

The Year 2 students have reviewed their knowledge of note values by completing this Note Match-Up table as a class. Using body percussion to clap/tap out the beats and naming the Fruit and Vegetables beats have helped students show a good understanding of the different notes!

The Year 3 students used the knowledge of the Fruit and Vegetable beats to learn a traditional American song and game, 'Johnny Caught A Flea.' This game focuses on staying on the beat, focus and concentration to follow a set of actions. It was fun to see who the last student standing was!

The Year 4 students studied the founder of the Kodály method of music education, Zoltán Kodály. 

Zoltán Kodály (16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer and educator. 

Students learnt the Kodály sounds for the note values then applied it to playing a 3 note melody, 'The Rainbow Shines' on keyboards, recorder and tuned percussion (Marimbas, Glockenspiels, Xylophones, Metallophones, Chime Bars and Desk Bells). 

The Year 5 students added more interest to a welcome circle by doing a chant with beats, rhythm and dance actions. 'Jump in, jump out, turn yourself around, I say, jump in, jump out, introduce yourself!' We hope to hear from all the students by the end of the term. 

The Year 6 students completed their 'Shabooya Roll Calls' and used dance actions to create a group performance with excitement. It was great to see good cooperation in groups and sharing of ideas to produce a wonderful, finished product! I saw different line formations, scattered group actions, students set up in windows, canons which have proven that it will be a successful semester filled with dance and music!