Before the break, we began our Grade 4 recording project. Each student got into a small group, chose any song they liked (after my approval) and used the tune of that song to sing the words to Adon Olam.

Students were very engaged in the project as they felt ownership over their work and had pride in the tunes that they chose. Each song was then recorded behind the karaoke music of their song choice.

It is of note that the Grade 4A class, which is scheduled on Friday afternoon, has not had very much music time over the past few months, due to our Early Friday schedule, PD days, school assemblies and parent conferences. I missed several Classes with them before the winter break and since the winter break, I have only had one single Friday class with them. The 4a class has not completed their recordings and I’m now debating whether to move on, when I resume with them after the February break.

The 4B class all completed their projects, demonstrating a good pronunciation of Hebrew, a good sense of rhythm and a good work ethic, as they had to work out how to fit the Adon Olam words into their chosen songs.

I am including their recorded tracks below for you to enjoy.

We have now moved on to our next unit, where we are rewriting the lyrics to one song that the class chose – Fast Car by Luke Combs – and making it about Purim, which we will record and share around the time of the Holiday.

When that unit is complete, I will be teaching them how to play the ukulele. Keep an eye on the blog for updates and to best support your child for that next unit.

Have a wonderful February break!

Moreh David Kogut

Hahlia, Hallie, Rachel

Delilah, Callie

Lev, Levi, Tzvi

Zev, Nate

 

Hello Grade 4 Families,

Here is an update of what we have been up to in Grade 4 Music so far this year.

We began our year with some simple fun with music, by learning two new songs, in order to sing all together with the rest of the school at our first assembly. We learned the Beatles’ “ObLaDi ObLaDa” as well as the Hebrew song “Acheinu”. We spoke about the meaning of the songs, which relate to family and people we care about. The Grade 4 class was also tasked with creating their own verse for “ObLaDi ObLaDa” that relates to something positive at OJCS. Here is an example of one verse from one of our students.

“In the morning we get to OJCS

Ms. Jenn greets us all with a warm smile

The teachers are so happy to see us in class

With lessons and games every day is worth our while.”

We sang the songs together with the entire school at our first Rosh Chodesh assembly, which we have each month. These assemblies are a great opportunity to demonstrate our “RUACH” and togetherness.

For our newest project, students are working in small groups and choosing any song they like to use its tune for Adon Olam. We were inspired by several fun Adon Olam tunes that we heard online and now we will be recording our own. Each group submitted 3 choices of songs and I helped them to select the most appropriate one. After practicing, each group will record their song and it will be posted right here on this blog upon completion.

On top of that, we have been learning a new song from Birkat Hamazon. Students sing the first part of Birkat Hamazon daily after eating lunch. There are many more parts to Birkat Hamazon, including several other fun and catchy songs. Grade 4, along with Grade 3 & 5 have been learning to sing the final paragraph “Migdol Yeshu’ot Malkot…” as well as some fun hand motions that go along with it. When we have completed learning, we will all gather together and sing it as a school at our next Rosh Chodesh assembly.

Thanks for reading!

Moreh David Kogut

Hello OJCS families,

Welcome back to school! I am excited to have the privilege to be teaching music to your children once again. I will be in touch throughout the year by posting updates on this blog. I will send emails to each class with a link to this blog and I ask that you subscribe to the grade level that your children are in, so you can continue to see my updates. I will post regularly, so that you can follow what we will be doing in class and encourage your children to practice at home for any songs or lessons that we learn in class.

To begin the year, I have decided to teach two songs to every class from Grade 2-5. Our goal is to learn to sing these songs, so we may all join together as a school and sing together, bringing the unity and RUACH (spirit) that will create pride in our school and our studies. The first song, is a classic by the Beatles, called Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da. This song represents life, endurance and positivity.

The second song is a Jewish song called “Acheinu”. this is a very well known Jewish song that represents unity in the Jewish people. I am including links to both of these songs below, so students can listen and get to know the songs better this week.

I’m wishing all families a successful start to your school year. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me at any time. I will reply to all emails at d.kogut@theojcs.ca.

 

Acheinu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZaiZ1E95u0

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRtAO-nffz0

 

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.

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

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

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

אוֹדְךָ כִּי עֲנִיתָנִי וַתְּהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה

אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה

אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה

מֵאֵת יהוה הָיְתָה זֹּאת הִיא נִפְלָאֹת בְּעֵינֵינוּ

מֵאֵת יהוה הָיְתָה זֹּאת הִיא נִפְלָאֹת בְּעֵינֵינוּ

זֶה הַיוֹם עָשָׂה יְיָ, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ

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. 

Odecha ki anitani vattehi li lishu’ah. 

even ma’asu habbonim hayetah lerosh pinnah. 

even ma’asu habbonim hayetah lerosh pinnah. 

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

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

Zeh hayom asah adonai, nagilah venismechah vo. 

Zeh hayom asah adonai, nagilah venismechah vo.

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.

I hope they all enjoy!

Moreh David Kogut