Announcing this year's TCS Musical!

This year, TCS 7th & 8th graders will transform into high-rolling gamblers and dancing divas as they jump into roles for...

Mrs. Barber and I are so excited to get started! Below is all the important info:

Performance dates (mark your calendars now, students & families!): 

Saturday, February 21st

Sunday, February 22nd

Audition dates:

Thursday, November 20th (3:15-4:30)

Friday, November 21st (3:15-4:30)

Happy Halloween!

I know I'm a little late with this post, but I wanted to say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who participated in the fantastic Halloween parade and sing-along we had on Friday here at TCS. I was really impressed by all the costumes, and it was great to see so many friends and family members waving to all the students and teachers as they marched proudly around campus. I also enjoyed being part of the parade as a mama tree for my little owl, Fiona! 

I know the students had fun singing all our Halloween songs over the past few weeks, so below are the lyrics to one of their favorites tunes, "Witches Brew" so you can try singing it together at home. Enjoy!

WITCHES’ BREW

Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

Spider webs, moldy bread, mucky mud, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic! Alakazamakazoo

ooo - My witches’ brew - ooo
What’s it gonna do to you? Boo!

Floor wax, thumb tacks, purple paint, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

Finger nails, lunch pails, apple cores, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

ooo - My witches’ brew - ooo
What’s it gonna do to you? Boo!

Wrinkled prunes, mushrooms, motor oil, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo!
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo!

I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo!

Check this out!

From the catchy tune, to the perfectly timed and extremely impressive choreography, Okay Go's new video for the song "I Won't Let You Down" is quite an achievement. But this is nothing new for the 4-member band. Together they continue to imagine and create new ways to push the boundaries of what can be captured on film for all their songs (remember their first video on treadmills? Or the video of one huge Rube Goldberg machine?). 

Whenever I see a new Okay Go video, one word always comes to mind: STEAM!

Happy Tuesday!

Halloween Songs: "What Color Is Your Ghost?"

I've been singing lots of fun Halloween songs with my students this week as we prepare for the big Halloween parade & sing-along next Friday!

Here are some photos of a first grade class rocking out with scarves to "What Color Is Your Ghost?" 

Photos taken by: Kayla (grade 5)

Song by: Rachel Rambach

Musical Games!

Below is a link to some musical games I'm playing with my students this week:

Musical Games

The "Note Name Game" is great for note-reading practice, and each measure spells out a different word!

"Compose Your Own Music" is just what the title describes: YOU are the composer! The different options allow you to understand 4/4 time using whole, half, and quarter notes and rests, and the 4-measure melodies you create can actually be "performed" by the computer!

Rhythmic Stories: "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt" by Steve Metzger

I love this book for many reasons, but it's especially fun to read and act out in kindergarten and first grade music class while incorporating the concepts of tempo and accelerando. As we read each action sequence (example: "climb, climb, huff, puff"), we start with a slow, steady beat, and then say the words faster...and faster...and faster! The kids really enjoy echoing the lines and "hunting" for leaves together!

Overtone Singing!

Check out this incredible singer who can actually sing two notes at the same time using the overtone series. Watch, listen...and prepare to be amazed!