Journal 3

In this unit we learned a lot of new things. One of the main things that we worked on was learning the notes on the recorder. This week we learned C, D, E, and F. We also learned what Base Clef and where the notes go on the staff when you have Bass Clef. Another name for Bass Clef is F Clef because when you draw out the symbol the two dotes go on either side of the F line on the staff. Also in this unit we were introduced to many new instruments. There are three different types of families that we learned they are harmonic, melodic, and rhythm instruments. The last thing that we learned in this unit was how we can take a story and add instruments to it to include music and make it fun for the students to learn.
There were many different things that we did in class to learn of all these concepts. For learning the notes on the recorder be observed the drawing on the board and wrote them down in our notes. From there we played each note and followed a pattern which the teacher called out as we went a long to see if we could move from note to note. Then the next thing that we did was bring in the notes that we already know how to play. The different types of families of instruments were learned in three different ways. The first thing that we had to do was the reading for a worksheet. Then we had to print out a list with pictures on it so that we could see them in their groups. During class we have been playing the instruments so not only do we see them but we are able to hear the different noise that they make. To add all the skills and concepts together we did story telling this was a lot of listening and playing by the class to make the story come to life.
I really enjoy doing the story telling because I feel that it is a good way to get everyone involved and have many different skills being used at once. We would sing during the song so indirectly we are working on pitch and tone. Then we also worked with the instruments but most of all we got to play the recorder. The songs were some that had faster tempo which made it a challenge but it was a way to improve our playing. A lot of the other things that we did was not really new to me being very involved with music from such a young age.
I think that it is very important to introduce to students at a very young age all the different types of instruments because then this give them a choice of playing them. This may only be for fun but this may also become something that they will become really good at. Learning about the stories I feel this was a very easy way to keep the attention of younger students because they have to pay attention to what you are reading so that they are able to play the instrument when their word is said.
All in all, for me there was not many difficulties or problem the only thing that I saw was that for some people that are just learning to play the recorder needed a little extra help. Also learning the instruments would have been better if we all got to play them or at least get to try them out.