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Ms. Alissa's Class Update:
(Updated on August 27, 2010)
Letter from Ms. Alissa 8/27/2010
Hello Families, Welcome back! We are still getting instruments taped and ready and remembering routines from last year, so we've only played a little bit! Thank you to the parents already stepping up and volunteering for duty in the morning! One fine arts teacher needs to remain outside at all times so the days that I am outside doing duty, I will be available for help after school instead of before, from 3:30-4:00. A schedule will be e-mailed soon!
***There will be minor changes to the String class for the following classes starting next week:
Ms. Alicia- Mondays and Wednesdays
Ms. Rosa- Mondays and Wednesdays
Ms. Natasha- Mondays and Wednesdays
Ms. Karen- Tuesdays and Fridays
9-12- no study hall on Mondays. Instead 4th years should come Thurs. before school at 8:30, 5th years on Fridays at 8:30. This is totally voluntary and does not require an instrument. I will be available to check homework and explain further details of the assignment.
I know routines are still being formed so just try your best to get the instruments here!
Following is what we did this week:
Kinder : We did well this week learning smart fingers. What we're working on is finger dexterity and independence so we've been singing songs that have them show me each finger by itself like “Ants Go Marching”
6-9: 1st years- We are still getting instruments and have learned how to take the instrument out of the case, hold it in rest position and get tuned. We also reviewed our songs from last year and learned words for Chicken on a Fencepost and Old Brass Wagon. These words can be found in your Learning Together book. 1st years that are not in private lessons must leave their instruments at school until you are notified otherwise. We need to learn some basics and a couple of songs before it's time to practice at home.
Parent Classes are going now. Monday's class was the biggest yet! Thank you for a great class.
2nd Years- We started open string practice on D for Chicken on a Fencepost. Currently they should be polishing their Suzuki songs from last year. We are also learning how to best use our quiet work time in class with works on Dynamics, Key symbols and Tempo Markings
3rd years- We started learning Chicken on a Fencepost with fingers which is actually the same as Pumpkin on a Fencepost from last year. Some classes also learned fingers for a new song, Old Brass Wagon. Look for sheets in the coming week.
9-12:
4th years- Homework on line names that came home in the communication folder. Due Tues. 31st. Return 'Course Description' with signature. Practice Suzuki songs from last year. Violin and viola players should still practice standing up at home even though they sit in class. Music stands can stay home for the next few weeks. They should have an orchestra folder with them in each class. The folder type does not matter.
5th years- Homework on line names that came home in the communication folder. Due Wed. September 1st. Return 'Course Description' with signature. Practice War Dance, Ode to Joy and scales from last year. Violin and viola players should still practice standing up at home even though they sit in class. Music stands can stay home for the next few weeks. They should have and orchestra folder with them in each class. The folder type does not matter.
Mid School:
Homework packet due on Tues. for 6th years and Wed for 7th . Practice songs from last year especially Lullaby, Sweet Betsy, Rocket March and Roller Coaster Rock. Return 'Course Description' with signature.
That's all for now! ~Ms. Alissa
ahamilton@tmesnm.com
Click here to go to the Classroom Wish List!
Here are some helpful links for violin questions/help:
shows the basics of setting up the instrument and bow and also supports the orchestra note reading curriculum
references for tuning and note reading
good resource for finding local performances to take your kids to, especially the Albuquerque Youth Symphony site
information about the method, summer camps and finding a private teacher
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