This week some grade groups learned some pow wow dances from Powwow Sweat and played some instrument bingo games to identify the different sounds of the orchestra instruments. The classes also learned a new "Hello" song that taught them how to greet in French and Spanish. #dhscbe

5A class played the song, Scoo Bee Doo after learning the singing and movement parts of the song, and figuring out the notes of the song. #dhscbe

Our gr.4 students have been working on their rhythm/body-percussion creation with their partner(s). Some groups are working on their lyrics. The students will do their performances during their lessons next week. #dhscbe

Our gr.6s and 5B class continued to learn to play new chords on their ukulele. The students were practicing strumming on different major and minor chords with their partners. Some groups have been practicing through some of the "ukulele play-along" songs online. #dhscbe

Our kindergarteners and grade 1, 2, 3 students played many music games this week. They learned to sing and dance, and learned different musical elements through body percussion activities. They also learned to dance La Raspa and Los Machetes. #dhscbe

Our Gr.4 groups have created the lyrics for their Rhythm/Body Percussion (BP) project. Not only have the groups come up with words that match their note-values, but some of the words are quite funny also. Some of the groups have performed their rhythm/BP in class. #dhscbe

Our Gr.3s have been learning to read notes on the treble clef staff. They figured out the notes of an indigenous song, "The Eagle Song", as a class and then played the tune on the xylophones. Some of them performed the tune after a bit of practice during the next lesson. #dhscbe

Our grade 3 students have been learning to read notes on the treble clef staff. This is one of the scores that the grade 3 students were learning to play on their xylophones. #dhscbe

One of our grade 5 classes played the Stella Ella Olla hand game last week. Lots of fun! Below is the video that shows how the game is played. youtube.com/watch?v=KBBWta… #dhscbe

One of the grade 4 classes was singing "The Coffee Canon" when I was humming the tune of the partner song, "Tea Time". #dhscbe

The kindergarteners figured out the note values that matched the syllables of the animals' name. #dhscbe

The grade 6s and one of the grade 5 classes performed their ukulele skills to me. Many kids were able to played with proper techniques and change some chords smoothly while playing along with their songs. Some kids were able to sing along as well while playing the chords. #dhscbe

The gr.3s have been learning to play djembe. They practiced playing the drums with the 3 skills: tone, bass, slap. The kids also took their turns to improvise their 4-beat rhythms and choose to combine 2 of the 3 skills for the class to play their rhythms on the drums. #dhscbe

This week the students reflected on what they have learned this year. They revisited some ensembles, some games and some instrument playing techniques. Some classes also learned to play some new circle singing and dancing games. #dhscbe

This week grade four and five continued to learn/practice recorder playing. They played some songs that involved two or three part harmony, so that the students were able to choose the part that suited their skill level in recorder playing. #dhscbe

This week Gr.6s had their last two Music lessons at our school. Besides music games, the kids improvised some rhythms to play on the djembe using the different playing skills. They also revisited an ensemble piece, which involve xylophones, hand drums & ocean drum playing.#dhscbe

One of the gr.5 students challenged the purple Recorder Karate Belt. She played "Old MacDonald" by ear mostly when this video was filmed. Then during lunch recess, she played the song to me quite smoothly after she'd practiced playing the song with the score several times.#dhscbe

One of the grade 5 students transferred her knowledge of playing "Chumbara" on the xylophone to playing the song on the piano. Good job! #dhscbe

One of the grade 5 students asked me to write the note-names of the melody of his favourite anime song for him to practice playing it on the xylophone and on his online virtual keyboard. He performed playing the song on the piano in the last lesson of the school year. #dhscbe

It was hard saying "Good-bye" to my students at Douglas Harkness School. I was blessed to be able to see them grow these four years, and be a part of their learning journey. I will miss you, kids! #dhscbe