Grade 3 Music videos

Dear Grade 3 family,

As our year comes to a close in Grade 3 music, we have completed our final project in creating a music video for both classes. Each class has chosen a song, learned it, split up parts for individuals or small groups to sing and recorded it. We then created a music video to go along with it. you can watch each video on the links provided below. Please note that these are private links and should not be shared in public spaces, to protect the privacy of families.

Thank you for your support throughout the year and have a wonderful summer!

Moreh David Kogut

Grade 3A: Ani Yehudi by Mordechai Shapiro

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VvwSGyX0iXNlYGvlyXE2C68Bp1MXp37f/view?usp=share_link

Grade 3B: Machar by Mordechai Shapiro

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hIdUTMidhO_WuqHvTbV37PqfTSYS_dq/view?usp=share_link

Grade 4A Music Video

Hello Grade 4A families,

The previous unit in the Grade 4A class was about creating a music video. We learned a new song, recorded it and filmed us singing, so we could create a complete video. We chose the song “Ani Ma’amin” by Tai, as it incorporates both Hebrew and English in the song and has a deep meaning of connecting to Israel.

Here is a link to watch the video online. It is in a private drive and not accessible to the public. Please do not share it publicly.

Thank you,

Moreh David Kogut

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PlhHLtOwRB6cMKmS3zuFq4X-QnuPxvjB/view?usp=sharing

Edit: I posted an incorrect link originally. It is now fixed and can be viewed properly.

Grade 4A Ukuleles

Hello Grade 4 families,

The Grade 4B class just finished their unit on learning to play the ukulele. They will now be choosing a song to record and to then create a music video before the end of the year.

The 4A class will now be learning to play the ukulele. Tomorrow, Monday, May 5th, I will be giving each student a ukulele to use for the duration of the school year. They can bring their instrument home to practice, but must have it in school every Monday for our music class. Each ukulele is numbered and each student must return that same ukulele at the end of the school year. They will also get a carrying case, a strap, a pick and a tuner. All need to be returned with their instrument.

I will be teaching them to play basic chords, and work on strumming and rhythm. We will learn several songs and each student will have a small evaluation at the end of the unit, in which they will need to play one small song in rhythm with the correct chords.

Please allow them to practice at home and encourage them to do that regularly. Simply practicing in our class will not be enough for them to develop muscle memory in their fingers and daily practice, if only 5 minutes, is very encouraged.

Good luck and enjoy!

Moreh David Kogut

Grade 4 Music class update

Hello Grade 4 families!

For the past couple of months, both Grade 4 classes have been working on separate projects. Grade 4A has been learning the song “Ani Ma’amin” by Tai, which we are recording ourselves, with each student having a small solo. We will then be creating a music video for it in the coming weeks. The hope is to be finished with our video by the Passover break.

Grade 4B has been learning to play the ukulele. We have learned about the instrument, how to tune it, how to hold it, how to read chord charts and we have learned several basic chords, that allow us to play a few songs. We learned how to play the song “H’ Melech” by Benny and Gad Elbaz, then before Purim, we learned to play “Mishenichnas Adar” and we are now learning to play “Dayeinu” as a lead up to the Passover holiday. We will also end our ukulele unit before the Passover break. As a conclusion to our unit, each student will be asked to play one of the above mentioned songs, by strumming along in proper rhythm and by demonstrating mastery of the chords for that song, meaning smooth transitions, clear chords and proper timing. While some students are already able to do this, other students will require more practice outside of class, in order to succeed. They should all have chord sheets for the songs as well as charts that tell them how to play each chord. Please remind them to practice, as it would be wonderful to see each student succeed.

After the Passover break, the classes will switch units and Grade 4A will begin learning the ukulele, while Grade 4B will learn, record and film a video for a Jewish song.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Moreh David Kogut

Middle School Music Elective (Semester 1)

Hello Musical families!

Last semester, I worked with several Middle School students from the Grade 6 classes for our music elective. We learned and recorded a couple of songs that the girls chose. WE worked hard on timing and being able to sing smoothly and on key. We had a talented group and were able to add layers to the song, including multiple voices and harmonies. The songs are included below. Enjoy and kol hakavod on the hard work!

Moreh David Kogut

Unwritten

October Rain

Grade 1 Purim Music

Hello Grade 1 families! Purim is around the corner and we have been preparing for the holiday in our Jewish music class. Everyone made “Mishnichnas Adar” masks and will be taking them home this week. We have also been learning some festive music for the Holiday and had a chance to record ourselves singing in class. I have included recordings below from both the “A” and “B” classes. Enjoy and a chag Purim Sameach to everyone!

Moreh David Kogut

Chag Purim – Grade 1A

Mishenichnas Adar 1A

Chag Purim 1B

Mishenichnas Adar 1B

Bonus Song: Baruch Hagever 1A

It’s Shabbat!

Hello Kindergarten and Grade 1 families!

We have been having a great time in our Jewish music class! this month, we are learning about songs for Shabbat. We have been singing songs like “Shalom Aleichem”, “Gilli good Shabbat”, “Bim Bam” and a new song that I taught, called “It’s Shabbat”, which was originally performed by the Maccabeats and is to the tune of Baby Shark. This song takes us through many steps of Shabbat in order from before lighting candles, until Havdalah, after Shabbat has ended. When teaching the song, I showed them pictures of each step to help them visualize and understand. We also completed a cut-and-glue worksheet, which helped them to demonstrate that they know the order of some of our Shabbat traditions.

Here are the words to this song. Again, it is to the tune of Baby Shark and student should all be able to sing it at home.

Moreh David Kogut

It’s Shabbat – Maccabeats

It’s Shabbat do do do do do do

Tzedakah – do do do do do do

Light candles do do do do do do

Shabbat songs la la la la la

Make kiddush do do do do do do do

Eat challah do do do do do

Yummy food do do do do do

Go to Shul do do do do do do

Family time do do do do do

Take a nap do do do do do

Havdalah do do do do do do

It’s the end

Grade 3 song recordings

Hello Grade 3 family!

Before the break, we had been working on creating song recordings in our Jewish music class. Each student got into a small group of their choice and chose to sing and record one of two songs. “Sunshine” by Matisyahu or “Hava Nagilla” by Gad Elbaz. We practiced all together in class and the students were able to come and sing in their small groups with the musical track in the background. I have included the recordings below. Enjoy!

Moreh David Kogut

Grade 4 Song Recordings

Hello Grade 4 families,

Before the break, each Grade 4 class broke up into small groups, chose a song that they liked , practiced and recorded it. I was very proud of their work, and although a proper recording is difficult to do, they rose to the challenge and worked hard to do the best they could. You can listen to your child’s recording below. Enjoy!

Moreh David Kogut

Hallel Song of the Month – Tevet

Dear OJCS Family,

This month, the Hebrew month of Tevet, we are learning our third song of the Hallel prayer service. This song begins with the chant of the verse “Pitchu li…” in the traditional Hallel nussach (melody) and continues with a song at the words “Odecha, ki anitani…”. Grades 2-5 are learning this song in class and we will all come together to sing as a school at our next Rosh Chodesh assembly for the month of Shevat, on Thursday, Jan 30th. The words in Hebrew and English transliteration are below.

Enjoy!

Moreh David Kogut

פִּתְחוּ לִי שַׁעֲרֵי צֶדֶק

אָבֹא בָם, אוֹדֶה יָהּ. זֶה הַשַּׁעַר לַיְיָ

צַדִּיקִים יָבֹאוּ בוֹ

אוֹדְךָ כִּי עֲנִיתָנִי וַתְּהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה

אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה

מֵאֵת יהוה הָיְתָה זֹּאת הִיא נִפְלָאֹת בְּעֵינֵינוּ

זֶה הַיוֹם עָשָׂה יְיָ, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ

pitchu li sha’arei tzedek, avo vam, odeh yah.

Zeh hasha’ar ladonai tzaddikim yavo’u vo.

Odecha ki anitani vattehi li lishu’ah.

even ma’asu habbonim hayetah lerosh pinnah.

Me’et adonai hayetah zot hi nifla’ot be’eineinu.

Zeh hayom asah adonai, nagilah venismechah vo.