Ms. Rennick

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

No Music Appreciation Class Today -

Orchestra classes - White Day Exams Administered.  The exams should be entered into pinnacle tonight.  Check your grades either late tonight or tomorrow.   Blue Day Exams Tomorrow.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students in this class took the final exam.  Grades will be posted on Pinnacle tomorrow.

Orchestra Classes (both) - Students had a rousing review game for tomorrow's exams.  Points were awarded for correct answers, points were taken away for incorrect answers.  The competition was fierce - and all had a good time reviewing.  Tomorrow is the exam.  Study please.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Exams for underclassmen are underway.

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students took the exam today, and are finished with this course.

Orchestra classes - Underclassmen reviewed for the exam, and then were given awards earned for this year.  We will have a study "GAME" on Monday for our final review, complete with prizes ^_^.  Exam will be on Tuesday.  Go over your notecards this weekend.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - had a rousing game reviewing the items that will be on the exam.  Three teams competed for prizes (treats) and it was a very close score at the end.  Exam is next time we meet - study, study, study.

Orchestra classes - Seniors finished up their exams today, and underclassmen went over the review sheet for their upcoming exam.  We will review again on Friday.  The 3rd and 4th block exams will be on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.  Study please.  You will need to be able to apply your knowledge to an actual piece of music.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - We played a game in class that reviewed many of the items that will be on the exam next class session.  Points were earned for correct answers, and treats were given after the game.

Orchestra classes - White day seniors took the final exam today, while underclassmen identified items that need to be reviewed Friday.  Underclassmen also had one more grade-booster on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Next class session, the Blue day seniors will take their final exams.  Friday will be review sessions.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Class review of items that will be on the exam next Monday.  After review, students were given time to review selections that gave them difficulty on the review.  Next class session will be a game-style review, complete with prizes.

Orchestra Classes - Both classes had sessions on creating "Improvisations" to a given harmonized accompaniment in the blues key of C.  This was the last performance skill, so students may take their instruments home for the summer.  Next 2 class sessions, the seniors will be taking their exams.  (Wednesday and Thursday)  Friday, class will go over the items that will be on the exam next week Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students were given a study sheet which outlined all the topics that will be covered on the exam.  This is in addition to the 3X5 study cards compiled earlier this month.  We will have a game-show style review on Wednesday, and the Final Exam will take place on Friday. 

Orchestra Classes (both) - Today we finished up recording the scales and rhythms from last week.  In addition, students were given 9 choices of simple tunes to select ONE to play by ear.  Class members were given time to work on the selections, then performed them without looking at any music.  Next class session will be improvisations.  I will also distribute senior exam details.  Underclassmen will receive their exam information on Friday, and take them next week Tuesday and Wednesday.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students were given the opportunity to make up past low grades, as well as give credit toward the final exam.  Class members were given the option of creating a 30-point test with answer key or creating a study game with 30 informational elements in it.  Either project earned the student an extra 20 points on the exam or the chance to leave 20 questions blank.

Orchestra classes - Both 3rd and 4th block worked to finish up recordings of the 4/4 time signature rhythm and the 6/8 time signature rhythm.  Both classes also worked to finish up the Major and relative Minor scales selected yesterday.   Next week Monday and Tuesday will be the last 2 days students will need their instruments.  Senior exams begin on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - students were given the opportunity to make their final exam easier.  By creating a 30-point test with answers or creating a study game with 30 informational items.  Both choices were also a reinforcement of study materials for the final exam, and therefore justified as a means of award points toward the final exam.

Orchestra Classes - Continued performance checkoffs today, focusing on Rhythm performance in 4/4 time signature, Rhythm performance in 6/8 time signature, Major and relative Minor scale performance.   The class did not finish recording today, so will continue where we left off when we convene tomorrow.  Next week will be review for the final exam, and seniors will take their orchestra exams on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students completed the last of the review sessions for the final exam.  We covered Film music, Operas and Musicals, Crossover styles, 3 American composers (Copeland, Ellington and Larsen), Global music recognition, and Music genres (styles).  The next class session, students will have an opportunity to earn points toward the final exam.

Orchestra students - Both classes continued working on their checkoffs of performance skills.  3rd block demonstrated bowing articulations and tuned their instruments from the digital tuners.  4th block also demonstrated bowing articulations and also shifting skills from the exercise books.  It has become evident that we will need to speed up the process of checking skills, and a decision will be made tomorrow as to what needs to happen to streamline the process.... perhaps computer recordings as well as teacher observation.