Mrs. Ryterski's Music Newsletter

 ZAHNOW/ROGERS MUSIC NEWS

APRIL-- MAY 2012

It is hard to believe we have just five weeks of school before summer vacation. There is so much more to do before school ends! This will be the last music newsletter for the year.

K News:

We have completed Unit 3 in the music curriculum. This unit introduced even and uneven rhythm patterns, perfect fifth intervals, and the instruments of the brass family. Look for a test to be coming home in your child’s folder soon. For the remainder of the school year, I will be testing each kindergarten student individually on four different music skills: steady beat independence, reading rhythm patterns, echo singing, and echoing rhythms. If time allows, we will wrap up our year by singing our favorite songs that we have learned over the last several months.

1st Grade News:

The first graders are finishing up Unit 4, which includes lessons on tempo changes in music, the pitches so and mi on the music staff, recognizing repeat signs in written music, and the musical story Peter and the Wolf. Next week we will take the test over all of those concepts.

2nd Grade News:

In second grade, we have finished Unit 4. The students worked on songs using the pentatonic scale, and learned to recognize dotted half notes. The tests will be coming home soon. Thank you to all the parents, siblings, and others who helped the kids study for this big test!

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

The Zahnow students and staff were treated to a special performance last week by the Waterloo Jr. High Jazz Band, under the direction of Mrs. Jennifer Shifflet. Each year the jazz band performs a concert for us in April to celebrate National Jazz Appreciation Month. They did a fantastic job, and it is wonderful to see my former students becoming such fine musicians! The Rogers students will hear a concert by the Waterloo High School Jazz Band, directed by Mr. Mike Mullins, on April 23rd. We look forward to listening to them as well!

CENTERS NEWS:　

What a great year we have had! The students made their own instruments, composed songs on the computers, made up dances, read books, listened to classical music and interpreted it in pictures, and made puppets for some of our songs and musical stories.

I am forever grateful for my fabulous and dedicated volunteers: Theresa May-Harwell, Heidi Ruwald, Martha Nodorft, and Shannon Geringer. Thank you for all you have done this year! We couldn’t do centers without your help.

FEATURED COMPOSERS for MORNING MUSIC in April and May:

Aaron Copland

George Weiss and Bob Thiele

Orlando Gibbons

Benjamin Britten

Antonio Vivaldi

Johann Sebastian Bach

LOOKING AHEAD:

Character word for April is SERVICE.

Character word for May is SELF-CONTROL.

Let's end the year on a positive note!

BE RESPECTFUL

BE RESPONSIBLE

BE SAFE

CONTACT ME:

I am available anytime by e-mail at

Or call 939-3458 to leave a message.

Melanie Ryterski

K-2 Music Specialist