BAND RENTAL NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29TH!

It's time for school again, and for fifth graders, there is a new opportunity in the music department - BAND! Students in fifth grade get the opportunity to start learning a band instrument, and I'd love for as many fifth graders as possible to give this a try!

As you may have already discovered, my goal as a music teacher is to give kids many different musical experiences so that they can find the aspect of music that connects with them. I think that learning instruments is something that is beneficial to ALL kids, and I highly encourage kids to learn several instruments as they get the opportunity. I have talked, and will continue to talk, in other blog posts about the many reasons why this is important, but for this one, I'd like to explain how things work here at WLM, and especially for fifth graders and their parents, how this will affect them.

In music class we've been singing and playing instruments since kindergarten. We've used many percussion instruments. In third grade we started using recorders as our first wind instrument. In fifth and sixth grade, we transition from "kids" instruments to "adult" instruments. 

I recommend that students choose one of 5 of the basic band instruments, and in fifth grade we start lessons on these - TROMBONE, TRUMPET, ALTO SAXOPHONE, FLUTE, and CLARINET. While there are other instruments in the band and orchestra available as students get older, these 5 instruments, while common in many types of music, are also a good starting place to move into other more advanced instruments such as oboe, french horn, tuba, euphonium, and many others.

Many students ask about percussion, guitar, and piano as instruments they are interested in, and I love all three of those instruments! We do what we can to encourage and teach all 3 of these instruments, but they are all very different from wind instruments, and the fundamentals of how to play them don't work to include them in beginning band. However, all students will be learning more advanced percussion technique in music class (building off of what we've done in younger grades), and getting to perform on different percussion instruments. Some of these students will have an opportunity to play some percussion in band (in addition to their wind instrument, if they choose). We offer a GUITAR CLUB to anyone who is interested and has a guitar - I'll be sending home more information in the next few weeks about this group starting up. Unfortunately, I don't have a piano lab, so I can't offer a piano club, but several students take piano lessons (there are several teachers in town, and I'd be glad to offer you some names if you are interested!), and we give these students opportunities to perform in our recital in March, as well as accompanying the chorus when they are able.

I know students who have started out playing trumpet, and sticking with that as a hobby and creative outlet their entire lives! I also know students who started on alto saxophone, and ended up playing percussion as their "band instrument" in high school, but were still able to utilize the musical skills they learned on saxophone to make them a better musician. This is why I recommend that all students TRY one of the basic 5 instruments (trombone, trumpet, alto saxophone, clarinet, flute). If you purchase a good quality (new or used) instrument, the instrument will last a lifetime, literally. Robert M. Sides has good quality instruments and several different payment options which they will explain to you when they are here, but there are other places to purchase instruments. Just be careful when purchasing online or from something other than a music store - sometimes when a deal seems too good to be true, it is! There are many "off-brand" instruments that are very cheap, but don't work properly, will be impossible to repair, and will result in student frustration. Getting a good instrument is worth it!

Finally, if a student really wants to play an instrument, but money inhibits an instrument purchase, please talk to me! There are occasionally instruments donated to the school, and we can sometimes help with scholarship instruments to use.

If you have any further questions about band at WLM, don't hesitate to ask! I hope to see you at the meeting on August 29th, but I'm also in the lobby every morning from 8-8:20, and you can reach me anytime via email at jruth@southerntioga.org

Chorus Fest Songs Spring 2018

Six Warren L. Miller students will be representing our school at the annual PMEA Chorus Fest on the last Friday in April at Athens HS! Here are the songs they'll be singing! (Students - use these links to practice!)

Laudamus Te

She Sings

Three Quotes By Mark Twain

The Crawdad Song

Joshua Fit The Battle

Sesere Eeye

Chorus-Fest Songs for Spring 2017

Warren L. Miller Students have been selected to represent our school at the PMEA Chorus-Fest on April 28, 2017! Here are recordings of the songs we are working on for students to listen to and practice with!

Click on the link to listen to the songs for Chorus-Fest 2017!

Listen to the Rain

Firefly

Cantate Canticum

Pirate Story

Wink To The Little Baby

The Dream Keeper

Jump Rope for Heart

For the 10th year in a row, Warren L. Miller Elementary School will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart. This year, physical education classes will be jumping in honor of Nicholas Ogden, a young man with a very special heart! Our Jump Rope for Heart event will take place on the week of February 6-10th. All donations and envelopes are due back by Friday, February 10th. Thank you for your participation and continued support of this program!

The week of January 23rd-27th, we are all celebrating The Great Kindness Challenge. This is an entire week of showing random acts of kindness that are celebrated nation wide. The STSD is participating in this week as a way to create a culture of kindness in our schools. Acts of Kindness make the world go around!!!!

Grades in Elementary Music!

Grades in Elementary Music!

Since report cards are coming, I wanted to re-post my information about grades in music class.

First off, music in elementary is very experiential. We don't take tests. We occasionally write, since writing is important in all aspects of life, but assessment on writing happens elsewhere in school. Ideally, we'd be able to provide a music assessment on how students are doing in each of the music standards. In class, we make a point to do each of the following...

LISTEN to music
MOVE to a steady beat
SING on pitch
PLAY instruments, in time and in tune

We explore music in various cultures and time periods throughout the year (Music Appreciation) but we always strive do those 4 experiential standards in every class.

Unfortunately, our grade system only allows a number (out of 100). Further, considering that many of the classes only meet once per 6 day cycle (barring interruption for a variety of reasons), doing an individual assessment for each student on each of these would be nearly impossible. We do both informal assessments all the time, but we try to keep the focus on making music in class, and it usually doesn't work to tie these to a number grade.

SO, I try to keep it simple. I always tell the students that the only rule I have in music class is one word: PARTICIPATE! As long as they are involved in what is happening, they are experiencing all of the standards and that is success. I've created a simple rubric I use for grades 3-6. Some of these students are in band also in grades 5 and 6, and I consider that, as well as music class and chorus, in the following. As students get older (into 5th and 6th grade), they have more of an opportunity to move into the "Advanced" category, through practicing at home and engagement in class activities, but in third and fourth grade, we haven't had enough time yet to achieve that. Students in "Basic" and "Emerging" are choosing to not participate in one or more areas of musical standards. Since all students must attend class and are all "participating" to some degree, the lowest grade number I give is 85 (B-) for emerging. I don't like reducing these experiential standards to a number, as it doesn't translate well to music, but this is the system in place. I don't like to give a GRADE below a C, because the letter grade doesn't translate well to compare with other classes. However, students with basic or below basic are missing out on an important music learning opportunity, and I do want parents to be aware of that, and hopefully talk with students about participating better in the future. The expectation is that students will participate (and thus achieve) to a "proficient" level, and a few students will excel (evidenced by practicing at home, participating in class discussions and performance, etc.) and achieve an "advanced" level.

Advanced (100) - Student shows exceptional participation and achievement.

Proficient (95) - Student participates in all class activities regarding musical standards, and regularly works hard to demonstrate achievement in each of the standard areas.

Basic (90) - Student participates sometimes in class activities, but does not participate enough to demonstrate competence in one or more standard area.

Emerging (85) - Student rarely participates, and is thus unable to demonstrate competence in most or all of the standard areas.

Again, as students get older (5th and 6th grade), we will occasionally have assignments that have rubrics specific to them, and those grades will be added in. But the short answer to all of this is - it's hard to GRADE music on a 1-100 scale, as you may imagine. I try to use the system in place to provide a little feedback on the level of participation (and thus achievement) each student shows in music class. Parent, as always, feel free to contact me at jruth@southerntioga.org if you have any questions!

WL Miller will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 24th-October 30th. Red Ribbon Week brings millions of students together across the United States to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and bullying. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed in the United States.
Please help to support your child's awareness this week by having them participate in all of the fun and educational activities at school.
Monday-Red Ribbon Week Pencil Give Away
Tuesday-Wear RED Day
Wednesday-Information Day
Thursday-"Sock It To Drugs" crazy socks and sticker day
Friday- No Bullying Speech

Interesting Article!

https://musiceducationworks.wordpress.com/2016/06/19/a-childs-brain-develops-faster-with-exposure-to-music/

Chorus-Fest 2016

6 Sixth Grade students will be representing our school at the annual PMEA Chorus-Fest, April 29th at Hughesville HS! Here are some videos of the songs they are singing. I'm sharing these for those students (so they can practice) - but anyone else is welcome to enjoy them too!

Kusimama

Bile Them Cabbage Down

Hope Is A Hidden Star

I Am His Child

The Busiest Composers

Penny Lane (This is a slightly different arrangement but so far the closest I could find...)

Make A Joyful Noise (SATB version - follow your part and ignore the tenor/bass)

Jump Rope for Heart 2016

For the 9th year in a row, Warren L. Miller Elementary School is participating in the Jump Rope for Heart event which is coordinated by the American Heart Association. Our school holds a Jump Rope for Heart event in February for all students in grades K-6 during all regularly scheduled PE classes. During this event, students have the opportunity to practice jumping in a variety of ways. Students learn how to turn a long rope, jump an individual rope, practice with Chinese jump ropes and even create jumping obstacle courses. Students are also reminded that jumping is a great skill to learn and it's also a great activity to strengthen their own hearts.

Students have received an introduction letter and donation envelope for this years event. Students are encouraged to participate to raise funds if they are able and even join online if they have assistance. To check out our school's Jump Rope for Heart web page, visit: 

http://www.kintera.org/site/c.dkLRKbOWLjK4E/b.9278965/k.3A79/Home_NEW_2016.htm

Donations and envelopes are due back to Mr. Smith by:
 Friday, February 12, 2016.

Here are some of the thank you gifts for this year

Thank you for your participation in this year's event!

WLM Special Area Teachers BLOG!: Grades in Elementary Music!

With report cards coming out next week, I wanted to share this post I made last year regarding how I determine grades in elementary music classes...



WLM Special Area Teachers BLOG!: Grades in Elementary Music!: As a new teacher to this school, I wanted to share my thoughts on grading, as report cards are coming around, and parents will see grades in...

Cory Band coming to MU February 18th

The world famous "Cory Brass Band" will be performing at Mansfield University on February 18th! This is sure to be a great show. We've been talking about wind instruments and having an instrument of the week each week in our music classes, this week it was trombone. Here's the world-famous trombonist Wycliffe Gordon performing with the Cory band, in a a few excerpts I shared with the class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTQkTLKA8Pc

If you want to attend the concert, visit the following website...

http://music.mansfield.edu/

Use the discount code EMMFJAZZZ2016 to order your tickets!

The 4th grade Guidance classes are wrapping up a book study with a fun activity that was taken directly from the book itself. We read The Hundred Dresses written by Eleanor Estes and enjoyed learning about Courtesy, Compassion and showing Caring and Kindness.
In the book, the student take part in a drawing/design contest where the girls design dresses and the boys design motorboats. We decided that creating our own designs and holding a contest would be a fun way to celebrate the end of our book study.
Mrs. Ohnmeiss, our resident Art teacher, will be our judge. :) Winners will be chosen from each of the 4th grade classes. Good luck to all!!!!

In Library class the students have been learning about digital citizenship and what it means to be a responsible citizen online.  We have been learning about what sites are just right for them and being able to tell the differences between the sites that are not right for them.  We have been discussing how to create powerful passwords and how to make sure those passwords are secure.  Some grades have been learning about what cyberbullying is and what it looks like.  Kindergarten has been making predictions to stories along with identifying the beginning, middle, end of a story and the purpose of the author and illustrators.  I hope everyone has a Happy Holidays!

PE News

It has been an exciting month in the gym. Students in grades K-2 have been learning and practicing scooter safety. During our scooter activities, students had the opportunity to build some very creative pathways and obstacles. It’s always enjoyable to watch students work together to create and build the scooter courses and they have a great time with this lesson. Over the next few weeks, these students will move on to some manipulative skills practice, which will include: balloons, bean bags, hula hoops, and scarves.

Students in grades 3-6 have been working on volleying and have played some small-sided volleyball games using a beach ball. These students have also learned how to play a new game called Nitroball. Nitroball is an inverted form of volleyball. It’s more like a combination of volleyball and four square because the ball has to bounce after every hit. The students have really enjoyed learning how to play this new game. Intermediate grades will move on to floor hockey and basketball activities over the next few weeks.

Happy National Saxophone Day!

Happy National Saxophone Day! Today is the birthday of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone! Did you know the saxophone was invented in Belgium? Did you know that saxophone is the most popular instrument right now in the Warren L. Miller Band!

http://time.com/4102428/adolphe-sax/?xid=time_socialflow_facebook

Don’t forget the Book Fair will be open at Warren L. Miller Elementary School from Monday, November 2, 2015 – Friday, November 6, 2015. Your child will have the opportunity to shop before school and during their regular library time.  All money raised will be used towards the purchase of books and library supplies at WLM.  Listed below is some important information pertaining to the fair:

·         Family Night!  – Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 4-7pm in the WLM Library (Use the main entrance).

·         Checks need to be made out to Warren L. Miller Elementary School.

·         Please remember that we must charge 6% sales tax on all purchases.

·         If ordering from the flier, please put order forms in an envelope along with correct payment (including tax).

·         Want to shop online so that the school gets credit for all purchases?

o   Go to www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/  -> Click on find a fair -> Type in Warren L. Miller’s zip code (16933) -> Click on Search -> Click Shop Now and start shopping!

Thank you for your support of our library!

                Miss Engle – School Librarian 

Last week, October 26th-30th, the students at WL Miller celebrated Red Ribbon Week. This is a week where students learn about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol, as well as bullying. The week was filled with activities and information pertaining to the use of drugs and alcohol and the consequences to bullying. Students participated in a Red Ribbon Poster contest, wore red, enjoyed a crazy hair day and were able to take home some educational readings/resources regarding Drugs and Alcohol.
For the 2016 academic year, Red Ribbon Week will be held from October 24th-28th.

There are fun things to come in Library this October.  In Kindergarten through 2^nd we have gone over proper book care and the responsibilities that entails. We have also gone over the parts of a book.  In Kindergarten through 2^nd we have learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction books.  In 3^rd grade the students have been learning about how to distinguish between the fiction and nonfiction books based on the call number. In 4^th grade we have been learning about the Dewey Decimal System and how to locate a book in the library based on the 10 classifications.  In 5^th and 6^th we have been reviewing the Dewey Decimal System.  In 2^nd through 4^th grade we have started some digital citizenship lessons where they have been learning about being safe and responsible online.  Throughout October, the 2^nd through 6^th grade students will continue to learn about digital citizenship and Kindergarten through 1^st grade will be introduced to it. 

Something exciting to look forward to in the beginning of November is Book Fair! This will be November 2^nd through the 6^th, I will be sending out more information about this fun upcoming event in mid-October. 

Any questions I can be contacted through email at: sengle@southerntioga.org

Thank you,

Stacey Engle

Guidance Classes

Guidance classes start in the 3rd grade at Warren L. Miller School. Guidance class is a time where students work on Character Education and building self-knowledge. The first two Guidance classes, of all grade levels, are a time to discuss all classroom expectations and get to know one another. We are on our third week of school and after reviewing expectations in class, we are ready for classroom units to begin. The 3rd grades will be focusing on Respecting People, The Environment and Traditions. The 4th grades are going to work on the topic of Cooperation and the 5th and 6th grades are going to participate in a mini-lesson on Assertion Skills/Peer Pressure.
The 6th grade Safety Monitors are also out and about in our school, making sure that we are a school that is Safe. Respectful and Responsible. The safety monitors can also be seen helping out at our school store, which operates every other Friday, of each month, from 8:00-8:30 in the Guidance classroom.