Music Inquiry - our ongoing journey

As part of their inquiry, Grade 1 students have been examining the musical language called solfège.  Up to this point, they have discovered that in order for two songs to sound the same, they must have the same melodic contour and the same rhythmic pattern. Grade 2 students have enjoyed their inquiry, Storytelling through Music.  They brought to life stories about the Inuit way of living through singing, instrumental playing and movement.  Through this project, they learned two-part playing on barred instruments.

Using the song I Don't Know Why the Sky is Blue as an inspiration, Grade 3 students took their instrumental playing techniques to the next level as they explored a different musical meter through performing.  Grade 4 students explored multi-voiced texture through the performance of Song For Thunder.  They are beginning to learn how to notate the instrumental parts on five-line staff.

Music Inquiry

This poster captures well what I would like to accomplish over the next few months in music.  

Over the next little while, each grade will engage in a different music inquiry.  Some classes have started; others have yet to begin their journey: 

Grade 1 students are intrigued by the fact that many songs “sound the same.” They will explore the different shaping forces in music with a focus on the concept of “melody” in songs. 

Grade 2 students have begun their journey on  Storytelling through Music.  The first musical story they are telling has a curriculum connection to the Grade 2 Social  Studies curriculum.  They are currently learning songs that describe the Inuit community.

Grade 3 students will focus on Music and Structure, i.e. how to use rhythmic patterns has basic building blocks to create their own composition.  They have begun collecting various rhythmic patterns from the songs they have learned.

Grade 4 students will focus on developing an understanding of the concept of “texture” through singing and instrumental playing.  What does "texture" mean in music?