Grade 2 - Music Note

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Grade Two’s spent November, December, and January exploring music from around the world and
Canada, which also included lessons celebrating Canadian folk songs/dances. The children spent a few weeks in
December preparing songs to present in our Gr. 1-2 Christmas Concert, “The Story of Christmas”, where the children
celebrated the miracle of Jesus’ birth through literacy and song.
In November, the Grade Two’s continued exploring new rhythm symbols and their durations. The children
explored music in 2/4 and 3/4 meter from other places/cultures. They learned some African passing songs/games
and they really enjoyed creating ’Maori’ stick sequences in 3/4 meter with their friends. In January, the Grade
Two’s continued on with more rhythm discovery of half notes, dotted-half notes, and whole notes. The children also
celebrated music from Canada’s Inuit culture. The children learned an ‘Inuit Lullaby’ and practiced their playing
technique with a 3-part ostinato on the Orff instruments. And to finish off the term, each class had lots of fun folk
dancing the ‘Heel Toe Polka’ and ‘La Bastringue’, both popular folk songs enjoyed by Canadians.

Instrument Family Focus Musical Style of the Month

November/December -- Percussion Family -- “Folk Music – World Cultures”
January -- String Family -- “Folk Music – Canadian”

Today, your child has brought home their music workbook for November, December, and January. Please use
the workbook to help start a conversation with your child about what they are learning in music and what they
enjoy about music. See the last page for your child’s checkpoint/self-assessment, which shares with you how they
are performing in music and how they are feeling about their learning in music class.
Please sign the front page of the workbook and return it back to school by Tuesday, February 28th.

Thank you for taking the time to help your child grow, learn, and succeed in music. If you have any questions or
concerns please contact me at the school at your convenience.

Ms. N. Cyca