Episode #84: New Favorites for 4th Grade

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In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss new favorites for 4th grade. We talk about our overall curricular goals for the year along with a few of favorite songs and activities. We also share our thoughts about the idea of combining pedagogical approaches (ie: Kodály and Orff) and the importance of really honing in on your personal philosophy of music education rather than trying to do ALL the things all the time.

Highs and Lows

While considering your approach to Black History Month, we encourage listening to Episode #7 of the Music Ed Amplified Podcast: Black History Year-Round with Jasmine Fripp.

Main Theme

Carrie structured her 4th grade with tackling rhythmic concepts first and saving melodic concepts for the later part of the year hoping that COVID restrictions might loosen by then. So far she has:

In the last part of this year, Carrie will be focusing on melodic work including reviewing the extended pentatone with low so and low la, learning high do, and learning fa if there is time. This year it's been very important to consider "double duty" songs that we can use for multiple concepts. For example, we can bring Hill and Gully Rider back when we review low la and low so, and we can bring back Chairs to Mend when we learn fa. She'll also be introducing ukulele and touching on harmonies through I, IV, and V chords.

Tanya has been focusing recently on playing ukulele with her 4th graders as a replacement for her typical recorder unit. She is using play along videos from Music and Motivate and UkuAliens. Tanya has also been focusing more on music listening and appreciation by having a Musician of the Day, and has been highlighting Black musicians in February. So far, she has introduced Miles Davis, Harry Belafonte, Billie Holiday, Beyoncé, Charlie Parker, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson. Tanya is using David Row's resource for biographical information and a bulletin board display. One favorite activity in Tanya's classroom is using the book Charlie Parker Played Be Bop and this accompanying YouTube video. In addition to ukulele and music listening, Tanya has been focusing on instruments and instrument families as her students will be singing up for band and orchestra in 5th grade and we are trying to support our secondary colleagues with recruitment at this time. She also introduced traditional tempo markings as well. Tanya has been considering "double duty" material by using her Musician of the Day listening lessons to also talk about tempo (using traditional terms or just talking about BPM for more modern music) and highlighting instruments in the listening selections (ie: learning about the trumpet and brass family while listening to Miles Davis).

Know Better, Do Better

Tanya is encouraging music educators to re-think the "Bop or Flop" trend in regards to comparing musical selections. Remember that children (and adults!) gravitate toward things that are more familiar. Music analysis and appreciation requires repeated listenings, especially when listening to music of a new genre, culture, timbre, etc. Avoid superficial labels and ask kids to think more critically before making quick musical judgements.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

YouTube tip: You can share a video URL to start a specific time if you do not want your students to see an entire video.

Coda

Tanya recommends watching The History of African-American Social Dance with Camille A. Brown with students. 

Tanya recommends listening to the Song Exploder podcast, particularly Episode #195 featuring Ju$t by Run the Jewels.

Carrie recommends anything and everything by Jon Batiste. She has been especially enjoying his Fantiste videos and the song I Need You.



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