The Sorcerer's Apprentice in First Grade

The First graders have had a wonderful time watching the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" from Fantasia 2000, and then acting out the story taking on the roles of the Sorcerer, the Apprentice, the main Broom, and the Broom Army! They have enjoyed learning how music can "tell the story" with the images and no dialogue.

Music Fun This Week

The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas is one of my very favorites. I am excited to share it with the 1st Graders (and 2nd graders who didn't experience it last year). I will read the story from a book that was my dad's (when he was a little boy) and play the music in the background. Then we will watch the video clip on Fantasia 2000 and even act out the story with the music.

Kindergarten Kids are finishing up the Carnival of the Animals with a video set in a zoo with live orchestra and animals.  2nd Graders are moving on to Stravinky's Firebird Suite with the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and video clip on Fantasia 2000.


Music That Tells A Story is such a fun unit for me to teach!  :)

Music That Tells A Story

During the month of December all LLE music students will be experiencing how music can be used to tell a story.
Kindergarten will be exploring the Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Saens. It is a collection of short pieces that represent animals. Children will learn about Camille Saint Saens, recognize the animal from the music played and even move like that animal! They will also be bringing home a coloring book so that they can show off their new knowledge!

First Grade will have two selections:  Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg and The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas. Activities will include books, videos, recognizing instruments by sound, and movement.

Second Grade will experience Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. It will be a great review of the instruments they learned about in September, and activities will include books, videos, a word search, and an analysis of the music. Second Graders will also learn how Stravinsky's Firebird can tell the story of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and be depicted in Fantasia 2000 as well.

"This is America" video clips

 This banner was created by Mrs. Michelle Klopp and 2nd grade Art students!

I am so incredibly proud of my 2nd graders!  They gave me, as promised, two awesome performances of "This is America" a musical revue by Teresa Jennings (added songs by Teresa Jennings and John Riggio) Plank Road Publishing Company.
All images and music intended for educational purposes only.

Please enjoy the video clips of each program song!

 

This is America by Teresa Jennings
Special thanks to Mr. Ron Buttchen and Mr. Ron DeKelver for presenting the colors.

I Love My Country by Teresa Jennings
Mrs. Bjugstad's class

All American Me & You  by Teresa Jennings
Mrs. Beedle's class

Abraham by Teresa Jennings
Mrs. Wade's class

American Tears by Teresa Jennings
Mr. Marty's class

Everyday Heroes by Teresa Jennings
Mrs. Sendelbach's class

Mighty United by Teresa Jennings
Mrs. Jeremiason's class

Lady Liberty by John Riggio
Mrs. Ross' class

 

Agents of Change by Teresa Jennings

Mrs. Oakeson's class

The Lights of Freedom by Teresa Jennings

Mrs. Mohns' class

We Are the People of the 21st Century by Teresa Jennings

With Heartfelt Thanks!

A version of this video will be shown during the song "American Tears" by Teresa Jennings in our program "This is America" Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 1:30 and 7:00 PM.
It is to honor 2nd grade families with loved ones who have served, or are serving our country in one of the branches of the military.

This is the final revised version for families to access as much as you'd like! 

Final Sneak Peek Video before Performance Day!

Video has proven to be a wonderful tool in preparation for this program!
I hope you enjoy this final sneak peek and we can't wait for the real performances on Thursday, November 17 at 1:30 and 7:00 PM!  Join us in the Evansville High School Performing Arts Center!

More 2nd grade Sneak Peeks

This is the graphic (designed by our talented art teacher, Mrs. Michelle Klopp) that will be on the t-shirts for "This is America".  Excitement continues to build as we are nearing the final rehearsals and performances! Many hours of dedicated practice go into these productions. The students memorize all eleven songs and the actions that accompany them. They work hard on speaking parts and vocal solos. I am so very proud of all of them, and am thrilled to be able to use video to track their progress and growth!