For the Morning of the Arts program each grade level learns 1 song and then performs it together for their parents. Back in the galaxies teachers have displayed the students' visual art for parents to see. Those with students in 1st -3rd grade meet together in the gym for the musical performance and then head out to the galaxies to see the art work. After a short break those with students in 4th-6th grade are invited back into the gym for the remainder of the musical performances. Endeavour is a big school with lots of students and lots of support from parents. It was standing room only for both performance times! And if you think the audience was big, wait until you see how many kids are on the stage for each grade level.
Marci began preparing for the Morning of the Arts way back in December. She spent many hours looking through her resources and decided to choose music from the USOE Songbook. Her choices were brilliant! The songs she chose were fun, allowed creativity from the students and supported the DESK Standards as well and State and National Music Standards. Marci was asked by her administration to tell the parents a little bit about what the kids have been learning in music this year and how they will see that during the performances. To me...that's the scariest part! Marci did awesome introducing the program and helping parents and teachers see what learning had taken place in music this year.
Here are the grade level performances! Take notice of how many students are on the stage...and this is with 1 track off! First Grade is singing Down by The Bay. I love how Marci had the kids perform the echoes. First the boys sang and then the girls echoed them. Obviously there are some who love to do both and watch for the cute little boy who catches himself singing the girls part.
Second Grade is performing I love the Mountains. You will notice in this performance that Marci had each second grade class (there are 5) write their own verse on what they love about Endeavour. Here are some things to listen for...Mrs. Robbins (the principal), Awesome Sauce!, Blast off, Mac and Cheese and Chicken Pot Pie.
Third grade sang one of my all-time favs...Tinga- Layo! The even incorporated movement to help them remember the order of the words and some Spanish. Listen close for the Spanish verse.
Fourth Grade used some of their dramatic skills to act out their song while they sang. The song Marci chose for them was Don Gato. The actors were hilarious and the singers awesome! My favorite part in this piece was when they sang the word...FISH!
I wish I was an Apple, a hangin' on a tree. And every time my sweetheart passed she take a bite of me. Do you recognize this song? Fifth grade performed Cindy and accompanied themselves with body percussion patterns.
OK...here we go. I think most of us agree that 6th graders, in the spring are difficult to motivate and engage especially when a parent performance is approaching. They are ready for summer and ready for Jr. High. Marci had the 6th graders sing Peace Like a River and added some sign language and harmony to make it challenging for the kids. I had a hard time getting my camera off a certain favorite student of mine. The joy in her eyes was contagious. Can you see who I'm talking about?
I traveled through outer space after the performances to capture some pictures of the visual art for you but.... My Ipad died. I know that there are several of you who teach multiple art forms and I wanted to share this with you today so that you can see how a school can come together for a short period of time to celebrate students achievement in the arts. What a great way to combine, music, art, dance and drama.
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