Veni Veni Emmanuel

"Just for fun" this month, my 5th graders are busy working on "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel".  This is a great piece for this time of year and it incorporates rhythms the students can read (such as the dotted half note) and pitches (like low la).  It has also opened up discussion about sacred and Renaissance music.

My kiddos are singing in the original Latin.  We also add in hand-drums (played with a soft mallet) on the half note beat, tambourines (they play the rhythm of "Gaude" only) and recorder (little over-achievers of mine).  These instruments really give our performance an authentic sound.

I made a little page for them to put into their interactive notebook.  See below:

I've been going over this song for about the last 5 or 6 lessons.  We discuss a fact each lesson.  I've created a PowerPoint for that (if you'd like to use these slides, you can copy and paste the pictures or email me at ehinz@lcps.k12.nm.us and I'll send them to you):

The students have also enjoyed watching and listening to other musicians perform this piece.  Our two favorites are:

And of course, Mrs. Fricke LOVES the cello:

We're even planning to do an impromptu performance of this for our teachers!  How exciting!!!!

Christmas/Winter Materials

Love this cute add from Kristin at Creative Clips

Just FYI everyone - I'll be participating in TPT's "Cyber Monday" Sale.  All of my products will be 28% off.  Below you can find some Christmas/Winter resources that you can stock up on for a discounted price (just click on the picture):

These three bear-themed lessons are great for ages K-2.  I love using them around this time of year because the bears are "hibernating".

Speaking of bears, I created the song "Klondike" as a new so and mi lesson:

These folders are always a big hit with K-2 (and really handy if someone is covering your class while you do a holiday rehearsal or performance) - you'll find 5 winter/holiday-themed folder games to choose from (click here for a freebie Gingerbread themed game):

This original song (with a corresponding partner song and instrumentation ) is really handy for 2nd graders working on mi so la:

These mi-so-la based penguin songs I use with 1st graders:

 If you're ready to add in do, check out this do mi so la snowman activity that also walks students through the steps of creating their own piece:

This song is great for reviewing the Do pentatonic pitches (you'll find extensive instructions, teaching slides, instrumentation you can use for a performance and more):

These games are cute for students who need to review most basic melodic concepts (bag and bage on recorder, treble clef spelling, mi/so, mi/so/la, do/mi/so/la, do/re/mi, do/re/mi/so, do/re/mi/so/la)

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 My older students enjoy "learning" this piece (I've used it in a 5th grade winter program, but now we usually learn the melody during the last week of classes in December as a fun activity)

Another great song for older students is "Go Tell It On the Mountain" (this includes a printable activity):

I like using this song for reinforcing the half note (with 2nd): 

I created this activity for older students to review the pitches of the treble clef (the levels progress from 3 to 7 letters):

In my bundle, "A Musical Wonderland" you'll find all of these resources and much more - check it out:

Best of luck during these next few busy weeks - I know I'll be swamped!