Slideshow for "This is America"

My father in law, Vernon Kellen, served in the Navy during WWII. I have always been thankful that he and so many others serve our country to protect our freedom.
Many of the 2nd graders have told me that they have family members who have either served in the military in the past or are serving now. I thought it would be especially meaningful to make a slideshow featuring those students and their family members to be included in our program.
I sent an email through the message center to all 2nd grade families and have already received a few photos digitally!  I'd like to have all the photos by November 7 if possible, to give me plenty of time to put the slideshow together!  :)

"This is America" 2nd Grade Program is in Rehearsals!

2nd graders from Mrs. Beedle's class are working hard on our program songs!

EXCITEMENT is building for the 2nd grade program "This is America"by Teresa Jennings. The program will have two performances, both on November 17, 2011 at 1:30 and 7:00 PM in the Evansville High School Performing Arts Center.  T-Shirt order forms will be sent home and we'd like to have them back before October 24. The t-shirt is part of the "costume" for our production, will cost $5 and be your child's to keep.  Scripts and solo parts will be sent home soon for students to be practicing outside of music class.
I have gotten goosebumps on a number of occasions during rehearsals... the talent and hearts of these singers are wonderful to experience!
Here is a sneak peek at Mrs. Sendelbach's class song, "Everyday Heroes" by Teresa Jennings. Enjoy it and mark your calendar for the November 17 performances!

Music Critics

The 2nd grade classes role-played as music critics, listening carefully to three songs from last year's 2nd grade program and determining how well they could understand the speakers' and singers' words.
We then talked about how we can improve OUR upcoming performance by using good enunciation (new word we discussed). We are in the early stages of preparation for the Nov. 17 program "This is America".

I will be having the kids experience auditions for speaking and singing roles in their featured class song. This connects to real life experiences for the kids, and has been successful in previous years. Enthusiasm is running pretty high!

1st graders demonstrates knowledge of Dynamics

The first graders have been learning about dynamics and have learned the Italian words Forte, Piano, Fortissimo and Pianissimo. They demonstrate their new knowledge in songs we have been working on.
They have also been covering these concepts using the SMART Board program Groovy Jungle.

Engagement in Music Class

This is what student engagement in music class looks like!  :)