Reflection #2

This week we learned about rhythm and steady beat. Rhythm is the combination of long, short, and silent sounds. Steady beat if the constant repetition of the same beat. We went over both of these concepts by using rhythmic sticks and the hand drum to keep a simple beat. Each student also had to perform a rhyme of their name, while first keeping a steady beat and then a more rhythmic beat. We also went over rhythmic notation by using the greeting song that we learned during the first week of class. As a class, everyone had to mark either a small or large X to represent how many sounds/beats were in each word. On Friday, we began to learn how to play the recorder. We learned the notes G, A, and B and played each of these notes as a class. We played Hot Crust Buns all together and were also split up into three different sections. Each section was assigned to one note and could only play that note during the song. Everything this week was taught to us by our teacher. Like I stated earlier, we were given hand drums and rhythmic sticks to help us learn the difference between a steady beat and a rhythmic beat. I also learned a lot this week from my fellow classmates by listening to their rhythmic poems. The students also helped each other with learning how to play notes on the recorder. I feel that it was important to learn these concepts because steady beat and rhythm are two of the most important concepts in music. It you can't keep a steady beat or be able to feel the rhythm to a song, then you aren't going to be able to understand music. As a teacher, how would I help my students with music if I couldn't even keep a steady beat myself? I feel that it's always good to go over even the basics to completely understand all concepts. Plus, our teacher gave us some great ideas on how to incorporate music into our classrooms. Using the rhythmic sticks and hand drums are two things that can simply be obtained to teach children the basic concepts of rhythm and beat. The rhythmic name poem was also a good idea because it teaches students to be creative and practice the basic skills that they learned in class. I like how in this class, we're doing the activities that our students will be doing. This class is a lot of fun and the time seems to blow by. I don't like to sing, but this class is already making me feel more open to singing in front of my peers. I hope that when I become a teacher, my students will be able to feel completely comfortable with playing and singing music in front of their peers.
List 10 children's songs that you are familiar with:
1. Mary Had a Little Lamb
2. ABC's (The Alphabet Song)
3. Ants Go Marching
4. Hokey Pokey
5. London Bridge
6. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
7. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
8. Polly Wolly Doodle
9. Row Row Row Your Boat
10. If You're Happy and You Know It
11. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
12. Yankee Doodle