Music Enrichment

Walnut Bend Music Program

Philosophy

Music is an important part of every culture.
Participation in music stimulates brain development.
Children develop positive self-esteem through creating, performing, and responding to music.
Music education supports and enhances the study of other subjects
The study of music offers opportunities for all students to experience success.
Music education promotes patriotism and the development of social and cooperative skills
A well-balanced music curriculum promotes a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music.

Kindergarten and 1st grade student WOWed the crowd with "Spotlight on African American History."

"The Mice Before Christmas" starring WB 2nd & 3rd Graders was a bit hit!

The WB Choir enjoyed sharing their music and spreading some holiday cheer to everyone!

The 4th & 5th Grade Program, "Destination: America!" was a huge hit! Take a look and see for yourself...

Curriculum
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Music Objectives

The student will be an Effective Communicator by participating in a grade level school play. They will communicate with others that are participating and observing the play in an articulate, effective, and efficient manner. Starting in first grade, learning to read, write simple music notation using letters, numbers and syllables.

The student will be a Proficient Problem-Solver by learning to create short rhythmic and melodic patterns. They will make good decisions, handle problems and challenges, and think logically during music lessons.

The student will become an Independent Worker and Thinker by singing or playing classroom instruments independently. They will set priorities and goals, identify, assess, and apply available information to help them in their singing and playing of a musical instrument during the music class.

The student will be a Cooperative Team Member by participating in a grade level school play. During rehearsals they will use effective leadership skills to develop supportive and cooperative relationships with other students, teachers, and members of the community involved in the production.

The student will become an Efficient Technology-User with appropriate grade level software to identify higher/lower, louder/softer, faster/slower, and same/different. They will demonstrate basic knowledge of computers and software to help them analyze and evaluate music.

The student will become Knowledgeable About Worldwide Issues by singing songs from diverse cultures and styles or play such songs on musical instruments. They will develop a basic knowledge of world issues, foreign affairs, history, politics, and geography as it relates to the music they are learning.

The student will be a Responsible Citizen by beginning to practice appropriate audience behavior during live performances. They will learn to evaluate music and music performances. They will contribute their energy, time, and talents to improve the welfare of themselves and others.

The student will become Culturally Aware by singing songs and playing musical games from diverse cultures. They will relate music to cultures and regions beyond the borders of the United States.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade Music Objectives

The student will be an Effective Communicator by participating in a grade level school play. They will communicate with others that are participating and observing the play in an articulate, effective, and efficient manner. They will learn to read, write simple music notation using letters, numbers and syllables.

The student will be a Proficient Problem-Solver by learning to rhythmic and melodic patterns. They will make good decisions, handle problems and challenges, and think logically during music lessons.

The student will be a Responsible Citizen by practicing appropriate audience behavior during live performances. They will learn to evaluate music and music performances. They will contribute their energy, time, and talents to improve the welfare of themselves and others.

The student will become Culturally Aware by singing songs and playing musical games from diverse cultures. They will relate music to cultures and regions beyond the borders of the United States.

Grading

The music grade your student receives on his or her report card is a mark reflective of his or her effort and behavior in music class. Please refer to the discipline policy and classroom rules for expectations in my class.
On the report cards, your child will receive one of the four letter grades in music:

E – Excellent Quality
S – Satisfactory Quality
N – Needs improvement
U – Unsatisfactory Quality

In music class, this is the scale I use for report card grades:

Name not on the board, plus extra credit (choir, orchestra, grade level shows, etc.)
Name on board two times or less, average effort
Name on board 3 times or more, less than average effort
Ejected or removed from class, disrespectful, behavior disruptive to classroom learning

Recorder

The recorder is studied by Walnut Bend third grade students. Emphasis is on note reading and fun!

This year the students will participate in the music memory University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition in the Spring. Walnut Bend placed first last year (2004-2005) with the 5th grade team and 4th place with the 3rd/4th grade team.

Houston Symphony concerts are performed at Jones Hall each year for 5th grade H.I.S.D. students. Students are prepared for the special concert with help of correlated studies and music units.

Lively arts programs are presented each year at Walnut Bend. Examples from past years include Opera to Go and Br'er Rabbit from Young Audiences of Houston.

The Walnut Bend students put on three musicals each year. The plays are put on by the fourth and fifth grade in October, second and third grade in December, kindergarten and first grade in February.

Choir

The fourth and fifth grade choir performs often throughout the year such as school functions, corporate events and holiday performances in the community. The West District Elementary Spring Festival is held annually. It involves the West area elementary school choirs. Tryouts for new choir students will begin after school starts in the fall. Listen to WBN for further information about picking up your choir application from Mr. Young.

Orchestra

Walnut Bend will continue the orchestra program this year for fourth and fifth graders. Classes will be taught by the Revere Middle School orchestra teacher. Instruction will be offered for violin, viola cello and bass. The schedule will be posted later.

Technology

The Walnut Bend music room has three multimedia computers. Two computers have a midi keyboards for musical composition and exploration. We also have a large screen TV that can be connected to the computer for whole class presentations.

Favorite Links

Mojo's Musical Mouseum
Mozart’s Magical Musical Life - A storybook about Mozart’s life and music.
MIDI World – Classical Midi
New York Philharmonic Kidzone
San Francisco Kid Site
Jazzkids
School Bell - Music Education

Classroom Rules for Music Enrichment

These are the rules posted in Mr. Young’s music classroom:

1. Follow instructions the first time given
2. Participate in whatever activity we are engaged in
3. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself
4. Respect others and treat materials in classroom with care
5. Raise hand to speak

In addition to these classroom rules, the school wide behavior expectations "I-Care Rules" <discipline.htm> will also be enforced.

Discipline for Music Enrichment

This is the progression of discipline in my class:

1st offense – verbal warning
2nd offense – name on the board and check mark
3rd offense – time away from the group
4th offense – loss of recess and/or removal from class with parental contact or having to be sent to principal

Children exhibiting dangerous or disrespectful behavior progress directly to offense level 4 and will be immediately removed from class.