Our students are working hard and showing progress. These aspiring musicians have earned their Cadet Pin and are now working toward the Intermediate pin.
Author Archives: Celeste Reed
Instrumental Music Students Making Progress
We have had quite a few students earning pins this week. Congratulations to these students for their continued persistence and dedication. (One pin was earned this morning through posting videos to our Google Classroom so that child will have a photo posted next week.)
Here is a recap:
Cadet Pins
Erik, Hadi G, Adam E, Arman, Zenaida, Trent, Fatima A
Intermediate Pins
Lilly, Jason, Zahraa
1st Class Pin
Lilly
Remind Texting
For my parents who are currently using Remind Texting to keep in touch with me:
We will be switching to Google Classroom for our communications. Please send me your email address and the first and last name of your child and the school he/she attends and I will forward an invitation for you to join our Google Classroom. I can be emailed at:
reedc@dearbornschools.org
Send me:
- Your email address
- Your child’s first and last name
- The school your child attends
Google Classroom for 5th grade Instrumental Music Classes
Please take a moment to remind your child to go to our Google Classroom site tonight. They can post videos of their practice sessions to improve their grades. All students should have a Cadet Pin by the end of this card marking period. They can pass the songs by posting videos in the Cadet pin assignment area of our google classroom.
A reminder that daily practice is so important in developing the fine muscle skill set necessary for success on a musical instrument. This is very ‘do-able’ if children break it down into small sets:
- Practice daily for 5 minutes sets 2 or 3 times a day
- Practice daily for 10 minute sets once or twice a day
- Build up to practicing 20-30 minutes each day
- Be a Master and practice for 30+ minutes more than once each day
For Band students a great resource is the Basic Band website with some great training videos students can watch and play along with. For violin students there are many resources posted in our Google Classroom site to help them with bow hold and playing with proper posture. Violin students also have resources made available to them through Essential Elements Interactive.
One last important step for great progress is consistent encouragement from the family. Encourage and remind your child to develop the habit of daily practice will ensure greater success. Ask your child to perform for you and the family. Have them perform a mini concert for guests. This will help build their confidence when they see that you are also pleased with the progress they are making.
Let’s encourage our young musicians to be the best they can be!
So many happy faces!
All of these Maples students worked hard during vacation so that they could pass on all of the required Cadet Pin songs. Now they can begin practicing songs in the Intermediate, First Class and Master categories. When you see them in the halls or in your classroom please congratulation their efforts.
All of the band/violin students have a progress chart listing the required songs to pass each level. Please be encouraging to them. This is the time of year where those who have not regularly practiced begin to lose confidence. Everyone can do it – it just takes time to practice at home. Students can add their assignments to their daily planners. Parents and guardians can set aside a time and space each day for their child to practice. It would also be fun for the family to have the student perform for everyone. condiser it an ‘after dinner concert’ in your own living room. 😀
Five Maples Elementary School violin students proudly wearing their Cadet Pins.
Posting videos to Google Classroom assignments
Here are some sample videos giving instruction to students on how to post a video to google classroom assignments. I hope this will be helpful. You can also click on the “?” in Google Classroom and search in the “help” section of the Classroom app.
Using Google Classroom App:
Recording through Google Classroom camera option:
Cadet Pins Awarded!
We have 2 more students who have earned Cadet Pins in band class. Congratulations and keep up the great work!
Two fine young musicians have earned their Cadet Pins in band class.
Our First Cadet Pin!
Congratulations to the first Cadet Pin Recipient of the year! We have a few more who are just a song away from earning their first pin.
The First Cadet Pin Awardee of the year!
Chart for Pin Challenge
Band and Violin students are participating in a challenge with each level resulting in earning a pin. Here is a PDF of the chart the students can use to keep track of their progress.
Let the Competition Begin!
Band and Violin students will be involved in a friendly competition challenge for 4 pins. Each students has a Pin Chart which will be used to track personal progress. Each time a child passes on a song which is listed on the chart he or she will check that song off on his/her individual list. Once all of the songs for each Pin Level are passed the child will earn the pin. We will post photos of students when they have earned a pin and inform the classroom teachers so we can all celebrate the successes of our students.
Four Music Pins to be awarded in progressive levels.