I can't believe we are already done with the first nine weeks of school already! They say time flies when you're having fun, and that's what we have been doing in music class! We have just completed one of my favorite units of the year, Rhythm! I am curious to see what was your favorite part of the unit. Which lesson did you like most? Which game or song got stuck in your head for days? What would you love to learn more about? Let me know by posting to the Rhythm 2015 Padlet wall! You can post directly below or visit padlet.com/flinn/rhythm2015.

Thank you to everyone who submitted an answer for the previous melody - so many of you got it! The previous melody was "Jingle Bells." Now it's a new year, so it's time for a new melody. This one is tough!! If you know the name of the tune, answer in the comments! REMEMBER to only put your first name and LAST INITIAL!

Findley Oaks students are doing a great job of figuring out these melodies! Last week's melody was "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Congratulations if you figured it out!

 Here is a new mystery melody, perfect for December. Can you figure out what it is? Remember to respond with ONLY your first name and LAST INITIAL! You may put your teacher's name in the comment box. Good luck!

Thank you so much to everyone who answered for Week 1. The answer was "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," good job if you got it right! Can you name the tune for Week 2?

Remember, when you comment please leave your first name and last initial. I have to "approve" comments before they show in the comments section, and if you use your whole last name I won't approve the comment. 

As we begin one of my favorite units, Melody, I have decided to make the bulletin board outside the music room a little more interactive. Each week or two, I will create a different song on the five-line staff on the board. If you think you know what it is, comment here on the blog (use only your first name and last initial). Who knows, maybe I'll choose one winner for a special prize!!

Can you name the tune from this week? 

We've been practicing writing rhythms this week in grades 3-5. Students had a choice between using beat sheets and rhythm kits or using dry erase boards. Students wrote rhythms they heard and had a chance to compose their own! 

This week, our school celebrated its 20th birthday! To honor the occasion, we invited former students and faculty back to the 'Oaks, treated the current students popsicles, and we debuted the official 20 Year Celebration video. Mrs. Zakshevsky and I spent several weeks in and out of classrooms filming students and staff dancing to music from 20 years ago, 10 years ago, and this year. It was so much fun to make the video, but it was even more fun to show it to the students! Special thanks goes to the Fulton County Police for taking a video from their helicopter of our entire school. Here's to another 20 years of fun and learning at Findley Oaks Elementary!!

Last night our 2nd graders performed an "informance" for family and friends to show off their special musical skills they learned this year. We performed some of our favorite songs, such as "Lucy Locket" and "Riddle Ree," as well as a new song we learned just for this performance, and we also showed off our awesome solfege singing skills! The performance was great, congratulations 2nd grade!! Thank you also to 2nd grade teachers for supporting your students!!

Last night the entire Findley Oaks third grade class performed a musical journey to Africa for a standing-room only audience. This annual performance is a part of a larger event at Findley Oaks called International/Fine Arts night. It is a night where every student in the entire school has a chance to display artwork they have created throughout the year. Meanwhile, the gym hosts an "international village," with families and community members displaying clothing, toys, games, and other information from their native countries. The third grade performance was the bridge connecting these two events. I am very proud of these students for their wonderful performance and hard work! Great job, third grade!!

This past Saturday was the 12th annual Fulton County Choral Clinic. It is a day for 4th and 5th grade choral students from across Fulton County to come together to create music! This full-day event features a full group warm-up and four rotating sessions. The day culminates with a full group performance for family and friends. This year I had the honor of being one of the four session clinicians. I taught the opening number, "Gotta Be Jazz," to over 130 talented 4th and 5th graders throughout the day. Other songs included jazz classics "Route 66," "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," and "My Favorite Things," all taught by other Fulton County Music teachers. The performance was a smash hit! Among the 130+ students were 10 of our very own Findley Oaks Chorus members. It was a great day!