In honor of Patriots Day:  Research the history of "Yankee Doodle".  Turn in a one page write up on your findings.  Include in your report:  How did you research it?  How was the song used? What was it originally?  What instruments were first used to play the song? What was the purpose of the song?  Due date is Sept. 28th, 2018.  Value:  10pts.

I hope you had a great summer and please remember....come to school ready to learn.

The "Create Your Own Robot" work sheet if due Mar. 25, 2019.
Remember:  Box #1: Draw a robot using only rhythm icons such as Whole, Half, Dotted Half and Quarter Notes.  Use the value chart to determine the power strength of your robot.  

Box #2:  Design a creature to fight.

Box #3:  Draw the battle and determine the setting.

The 3rd grade students will perform a Holiday Musical called "How the Penguins Saved Christmas!" by Teresa Jennings.  The performance will begin at 9:00am in WB Jones Auditorium.  After the performance their will be a reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and will concluded with a school sing along of traditional Christmas songs.  

Lyrics sheets for the show will be going out this week.  Please help you child memorize the words.  Music reheasals have been going well so keep up the good work.

The Veterans Day Celebration is this Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 at Oak Hill Church.  The students need to be in the church by 2:15pm in their concert attire.....patriotic colors, nice church clothes.  Please no big hair bows, no hats and only soft sole shoes,  No high heels.  This is the time we will determine stage positions and practice with the pianist. The audience will enter to take their seats  at 3:30pm and the concert starts at 4:00pm. The band will warm up and tune at 3:15pm.   It should concluded at 5:00pm.  Admission is free.

See You There!

On Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 a select group of 3rd graders will perform at Oak HIll Church for a Community Veterans Day Ceremony.  The performance is at 4:00pm and is free to the public.  I will be sending home a letter with important information conerning more details about the concert in the near future.

Mr. Holmes has been chosen to be the conductor of  the "Lake Cumberland Community Band".  Students, Adults and Band Directors from the Lake Cumberland Region knocks the dust off of their instruments to make great music.  The 1st concert will be a "Veterans Day Celebration".  It is a community event held at Oakhill Church which is on Nov. 12, 2017 at  4:00pm. Come, Celebrate and Honor Our Veterans with us.

A special thank you goes to the SHS Jazz Band for performing at Hopkins Career Day.  The students enjoyed the music and discussion about various music careers.

Find the secret code words and their true meaning in the following spirituals:  Follow the Drinking Gourd, Wade in the Water and Traveling Shoes.  You can write a report or make a power point presentation to to show the class.  Due by Feb. 28th, 2017.

During the first two weeks on January we explored Japanese Culture.  The students listened to Japanese instruments and songs, learned how to say several words and played a Japanese children's game. Thanks to our Japanese students for their help with pronunciations.

Starting Nov. 28, 2016 the 3rd Grade students will begin rehearsing for the Holiday School Musical "How To Train Your Reindeer To Fly".  We will practice the music during their normal music class time.  Please help your child to memorize the words, body movements and musical pitches.  More performance information will come later from their homeroom teachers. Songs include:  School of Reindeer, Reindeer Zone and Hip Hop Reindeer.   

Multi Culture Day is the Friday.  We will have various speakers, art work projects, music,food and a school wide indoor parade.

September is Latino Heritage Month.  Get your claves and shakers play the clave rhythm.  Celebrate diversity.  123 45.

Students will recreate the clave rhythm and demonstrate the cha cha dance steps.

Students fill various levels of water into the water flute to experiment with pitches.

Monday Oct. 29, 2018 from 5:00 - 7:00pm Hopkins will have parent/teacher conferences.  Come and sign up for a time.

February will be Music of African Month.  As a part of our global culture study we will introduce various cultures and regions from around the world using art, music, literature and dance.  We will spotlight one culture every month through the special classes and homeroom teachers. (which will be interjected at the time that fits their lessons.)

Students will create polyrhythms using Uyot Seed Rattle,Gongkwa and Calabash.

Musical examples will come from the following countries:
       Ghana, Nigeria,Kenya and Zimbabwa

Students will hear a type of music that they never heard before so encourage them to have an open mind. 
 

Write a one page research report or make a power point on the following questions.

What instrument did Benjamin Franklin invent?  What was it made of?  How did it work?  Why was it locked up and put away?

Due:     Sept. 28, 2015
Value:  10 trophy pts.

Don't Forget Picture Day.  Individual photos are taken today.  Bring your smile.

Please speak with your children about your fire safety plan and escape route for you home.  Have two ways out, a meeting place, stay low to the ground and be out of your house in under 1 minute.  Don't forget to practice, practice and practice.

Here is another chance for project points.  Make a model of a Dr. Seuss inspired instrument.  Combine things that normally do not go together.  Like:
riding a bike while playing a tuba, clarinet,bass drum and cymbals.  Take one of the instruments from his books to use as a model.  Most of his books will have characters making music.

Don't forget to schedule a conference with your homeroom teacher or myself if you would like to check on the academic status of your child.  You can call Hopkins to schedule a time between 5:00 - 7:00pm.

3rd and 4th graders  will listen to the great speech "I Have A Dream" and discuss Dr. Kings use of musical words to describe people.  K - 2nd grade will sing songs that honor Dr. King and Rosa Parks.

"Sing About Martin"
"Come On Up"

Students will watch a power point presentation on Rosa Parks and Dr. King and the equal rights movement.  They will listen to: "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" and "Ain't Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around".

The 3rd Grade will begin working on their music for the Holiday Play
"Elfis Goes West With Lewis & Clark".  The Musical is a Historical Holiday Play using various musical styles.  But it takes "Elfis" to save the day.

Please help the students memorize their lyrics.
Homeroom teachers will send home other important show information.

The performance is Friday Dec. 18, 2015 at WB Jones.

During the month of November we will be learning about Native American Indian Music.  If you know of any re-enactors or dance troupes please let me know.  Also be on the look out for little braves on the war path.

Nov. 11th is Veterans  Day! Please take the time to thank those who has served and is currently serving in our Armed Forces.  It is because of them that we have our freedoms today.  My dad served on the Air Craft Carrier USS Hancock during World War II. I bet if you look - there is someone in your own family.

The 3rd and 4th grade students will be recreating the Appalachian Folk Tale "Skin and Bones" which is set to music by Jean Ritchie.  We will be playing appalachian folk instruments, adding sound effects and bringing the characters to life in class.  This activity allows the students to apply the musical and theatrical elements in a performance manner.

Try to say your musical alphabet fowards and backwards.  ABCDEFG GFEDCBA......then try to say your regular alphabet forwards and backwards ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.........
ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLJKIHGFEDCBA

It will make your brain stronger and get your class trophy points.  Good Luck or should I say...Doog Kcul !!!!!

Due by Mar. 31, 2017

Please review with your child basic bus safety.
Stay in your seat.  Be quiet.  Hands to yourself.  Keep hands inside the bus.
Do not stand in the doorway while the bus is moving.  Check your handbook
for more information, speak with your homeroom teacher or bus driver.     .............Be Safe and Be At School.