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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
This post is for the Grade 4B class only. The 4A class will begin their unit on ukuleles in around 2.5 months, when the 4B class is done.
Today, I gave out ukuleles to all Grade 4B students. We will be learning the basics on how to play ukulele over the next 2.5 months. Each student was given a ukulele to keep for the duration of their unit, and they are free to take them home to practice. Some students will bring them home today, while others will bring them home later, as there is no homework or practice they need to do just yet.
Each student has received the following:
ukulele box
ukulele carrying case
1 black ukulele
1 electric tuner
1 ukulele strap
1 ukulele pick
Please ensure your child does their best to keep them safe and undamaged. If anything is damaged or missing, please be sure to send me a message (d.kogut@theojcs.ca)
Students will be getting homework and will be asked to practice at home beginning next week, Jan 13.
Make sure students bring their ukuleles to school every Monday for our music class.
That’s all for now. I will keep you updated on progress.
We have been learning songs for the holiday prayer service of Hallel in our music classes. Each month, OJCS holds an all school assembly in honour of the new Jewish month on the monthly holiday of Rosh Chodesh. It is traditional to say the Hallel service in our morning prayers on Rosh Chodesh. At our assemblies, we sing one song from Hallel, as a school all together.
Here are recordings and the words to the two songs that we have learned so far this year.
Grade 4 music has been off to a great star this year! Throughout the first two months that had many Jewish holidays, we focused our attention on learning songs relating to the holidays, so the students could feel included if they wanted to participate in synagogue prayers. We learned songs like “Avinu Malkeinu”, which is a regular song shared on Rosh hashanah and Yom Kippur services. We also learned songs such as “Ki Mitzion” and “Vekarev Pezureinu”, which are often sung on Succot and Simchat Torah. Another mission of our music class is to learn songs from the Holiday prayer service called “Hallel”, so when we meet for our all school assemblies every Rosh Chodesh, we can sing one Hallel song, along with most other classes from the school. We learned the Hallel song “Betzeit Yisrael”, which we joined in singing at the last Rosh Chodesh assembly, and we are now learning “H’ Zecharanu Yevarech”.
Our current project involves students splitting into small groups, and choosing a song that they like (and approved by the teacher) that they will learn to sing, and we will record their songs when each group is ready. I will make these recordings available on the music blog as well.
One goal of OJCS music this year is for our students to learn some of the songs from the Hallel service that we say on Holidays. We began by learning the song “Betzeit Israel”, which is also traditionally sung at the Peach Seder. you can listen to the song at the bottom of this post and the words are below in Hebrew and in English transliteration.
In grade 4 music there’s been a lot on our plate. We have worked on our singing and school spirit by learning and performing the OJCS anthem. We’ve also been pushing forward on the recorder and developing skills on the instrument. The students have all been working on exercises in the practice book, performing playing tests for the class, and creating a video of themselves playing the recorder. And of course we’ve been having fun along the way!