8th Grade: These students are beginning their unit on Impressionist music which will lead into 20th century music. Students will be identifying the ideals of the Impressionists through listening to the music of the time, and finding commonalities of Impressionist art. Students will also continue learning more complex rhythms, and re-visiting Bass clef.

7th Grade: We are in the process of finishing our Jazz unit PowerPoint presentations. We will be moving onto more work with notation, specifically learning how to read Bass clef, as well as working on reading more difficult rhythmic patterns.

6th Grade: We are finishing up our unit on the orchestra. Students have been tested on 3 of the 4 families of instruments, and have one remaining quiz on the basics of the orchestra. We also begin a study of music history through different time periods. Students will be involved in a webquest for this unit. Use the following link: www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=54723

5th Grade: These students are learning about notation in grids that can be seen with some African music. Students will use tools learned to create their own African style composition using the grid notation system.

4th Grade: Students are working on "Land of the Silver Birch." The students will be working on a more difficult xylophone part than they are accustomed to, but will also use patterns that have been worked on in the past.

3rd Grade: Students are beginning their unit with the Recorder. Through playing this instrument students will reinforce knowledge of rhythms, while also learning to read pitches, and how to play a woodwind instrument. Students will learn proper technique in holding the instrument, as well as how to create a good sound.

2nd Grade: Students are working on the instrumental part of the song "ABA." Students learned and were tested on the vocal part in Mr. Howell's class, and will extend their experience of the song through learning and performing an accompaniment on xylophones.

1st Grade: Students are beginning to play a 'broken bordun' on the xylophones. This is a big step in motor skills, requiring students to alternate hand motions on the instrument while maintaining a steady beat. We are also continuing reinforcement of rhythmic reading through performance. Students are also working on movement activities through the use of the story Snowmen at Night.

Kindergarten: Students will continue learning a variety of introductory folk songs while providing their own accompaniment on xylophones. Students are working to perform and maintain a steady beat on these instruments. We are also continuing our work with reading and performing rhythms. We have begun our study of the Carnival of Animals. We have read the book as a class, and listened to musical examples. Students will begin to create movements that represent the animal and musical sounds heard.