Action Songs
In Pre-K Music, if I don’t hear the children saying… Marching Song, I’ll hear Bumble Bee. They love those songs. They love to sing them. These songs give a story which they can follow, understand and move to. There are special moves, and they know them well. We do a lot of songs such as these, which are action songs. Some they cling to more than others, but they have a good memory and remember the songs we sing! We have a good time together!
Miss Farrell
Fuzz-oodles
In Kindergarten music, you often hear, Do you have the fuzz-oodles? The children love to guess what the teacher is making with the fuzz-ooodles, and then we sing about it and move to the music of the song. Our constant focus is always moving to the music, expressing with our body what we hear, and keeping a steady beat. In this class we have volunteers to come to the front and lead the class. When this is done, I often see the creativity in the student to find creative moves, expressing the words of the song. They have talent!
Miss Farrell
Let’s March
In 1st grade music, we are reviewing the different instruments that are played in a band. The children move to the music, while we constantly practice rhythm through clapping, moving our arms, sliding from side to side and jumping here and there. Another activity we combine with learning about different instruments is marching as if we are a marching band, and playing with expression the instrument assigned to each child. It is a fun time!
Miss Farrell
Fun Music Theory
One of 2nd and 3rd grades’ favorite music activities is Music Bingo. While playing this game, the students are learning about the parts of a note, accidental signs, time signatures, notes on the lines and in the spaces, rests, and key signatures with sharps and flats. Some of these things are considered advanced music education, but when it is learned in a fun way, they are eager to show you how they are grasping the concepts, and doing it with speed!
Miss Farrell
Recorders
In the 4th and 5th grade music classes, the students are rapidly progressing in playing songs on the recorder! They learn fast, they are eager and also excited to play solos. We have spent time on scale drills, on the song Hallelujah, and also introduced the song He Knows My Name, which have great lyrics. Put a recorder in their hands, and they are even inclined to write a song of their own. Great class and some musicians in the making!
Miss Farrell
Learning the guitar
The 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Music classes are not only progressing in tuning their guitar, but are also improving in switching from one chord to another. As they learn these techniques, which get easier with consistent practice, they are also slowly playing through songs. The songs we have been focusing on include: Forever, by Chris Tomlin; As The Deer; Your Grace Is Enough; and You Are My All In All. Check it out at WorshipArchive.com!
Miss Farrell
Dissection Labs
When students think of Biology, one of the first things they think of is dissections! Yes, yes, yes… lab experiences have included dissecting an earthworm, a frog, examining the movements and patterns of a meal worm, analyzing the anatomy of a grasshopper, and dissecting a rat! Yes, a rat! It may not have been quite pleasing to the eye, but some students had the appearance of a doctor at work! Separating organs, checking out what is in the stomach and comparing the similarities between the body parts of a human and a rat. You would never think one could be so fascinated over such a dissection. It is something you will never discover, until you step into The Lab!
Miss Farrell
Humidity Lab
The Earth Science Lab classes have spent time outside measuring the humidity and have compared their results with the humidity inside. Normally one would use an instrument called a psychrometer. The class constructed their instrument using string, a cotton ball, thermometer and lukewarm water. Results were compared with the current weather report for humidity. Students obtained very close results to the weather report for that day. Job well done!
Miss Farrell
Recap
In Bible class this year, we have been focusing on leadership. Some of the current things we have focused on are: The leadership of Jesus’, the student’s character, setting goals, and God’s Will for their life. Each student wrote out goals for themselves, what it would take to reach those goals, what are some distractions and challenges, how they will address it, and if it is worth it. When focusing on God’s Will for their life, we said that God’s Will as plainly written in His Word is to be: Saved; Spirit-filled; Sanctified (holy/pure); Submissive; Suffering; and Saying Thanks. We looked at several scriptures for each one of these, as well as stored all these things on edline. Students have also performed assessments online, which include a character assessment, obstacles to growth, etc. One of the links are: http://www.assess-yourself.org/ccii/ccii_online.cfm I would have to say that in these classes I can truly see leaders in the making! God is at work in their lives!
Miss Farrell
Old Testament
11th Grade’s historical survey of the Old Testament finished with a look into the godlessness of Saul, the repentance of David, and the wisdom of Solomon. Solomon’s incomplete application of his own insights to his own life resulted in the splitting of the kingdom of Israel. Nevertheless, God’s faithfulness to his promises to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, and David is evident as he preserves the memory of his promise to send a savior and protects his line until the times have reached their fulfillment. Christ is born—the saving sacrifice and reigning king, to establish the throne of David for eternity.
Mr. Roberts