Music with Mrs. Karia

WHITTIER WINTER SING! On the last day of school before winter break, students and staff will gather to celebrate winter (and winter break)! The performance is only open to students and staff due to the capacity of the gym. Each grade will lead a song and chorus will join in the fun as well. Many students have been asking me to share the lyrics to the songs. You can find them at this link: Whittier Winter Sing Lyrics

Below are my specific guidelines for grades in 1st trimester for 4th and 5th graders. During 1st trimester, we were primarily getting used to the procedures and expectations of the music classroom. Because of this, the grades for 1st trimester are truly a beginning (jumping off) point. Throughout the year, growth should be shown in some, if not all of the areas presented. Effort: The effort grade is based on daily interaction and motivation in the music classroom. Most students receive a "2" in this category, which means that they are paying attention and participating as required a majority of the time. A "3" indicates that a student went above and beyond to participate in music activities a majority of the time. A "1" indicates that the student on multiple occasions was not participating in the activities/ not following directions during music. Performance: This trimester the performance grade is solely based on their singing (which was wha...

In kindergarten music we did an extension of a classroom counting activity to compare the number of syllables in different colors. Students then wrote their own music and added colors which matched the number of sounds in the rhythm.

Whittier's new buddy bench is a hit! Stay tuned for more of Whittier chorus' original song in the upcoming weeks.

3rd- 5th Graders have been playing the West African drums for the past few weeks. We started with simple echoing activities and now have worked up to working on ensemble pieces. Ensemble pieces build listening skills, teamwork skills, and a feeling of community!

Whittier Wildcats have been listening to music around the world! Bach Cello Suite #1 in G major (played by Yo Yo Ma) Earl of Essex (played by the Royal Wind Ensemble) Call Me Maybe (arranged for clarinet, bassoon and oboe arr. by Dave Kropf) Nimrod Enigma Variations (played for U.K. Rememberance Day) Drummers from Burundi (performing in Arusha Tanzania) All these pieces can be found on YouTube if you want to hear to what your children have been listening (and stretching) to!

The treble trophy is an award given every week to a class that has an exemplary music lesson, demonstrating the three rules of Whittier: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. It has already been traveling around the school and has visited a 5th grade, a kindergarten, a 2nd grade (pictured here) and is currently with a first grade. Who will win the treble trophy next week?