Gullah

This week, fourth graders learned a song sung by the Gullah-Gitchee people of the Georgia Sea Islands.


I found some art as well. What do you think they are doing? Do you recognize the instruments in the background?

Gullah people are also known for their sweetgrass baskets.

The Gullah were originally from the Sierra Leone and Angola regions in Africa. These places were known for growing rice. How would this basket be used?

A new note

First and second grade learned a new note last week. Can you tell what it is? 

If you can tell me the letter pitches in addition the to solfege, I'll give you a house point. 

Art!

Have you ever noticed this painting in my room? 

I got it about ten years ago in Haiti. 

I love folk art, especially from the Caribbean and South America. I can't really explain why I like it. Maybe it's the bright colors or the scenes of everyday life. Maybe it's because folk artists seem to boldly use the color orange, which is my favorite color. Maybe you can help me figure it out. What do you like about this painting?

So, mi

First graders are learning about the pitches we use in music. It's week, we started with so and mi. We sang songs that use this pitches and learned about our hand signs. 

They even composed some melodies using our solfege cards. Do you know which sounds are so and which ones are mi?

Quaver's Marvelous World!

My Quaver code came through Tuesday night! You should have seen how excited the other music teachers from all over the county were when those codes came in. We all agree that Quaver helps you learn more about music, and it's so much fun. 

I met Quaver last summer. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, but he's originally from England. 

I even have my own Quaver shirt. 

What are some of your favorite Quaver activities?