Today in MusIQ Club! » Skippy Mardon

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, June 13, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:32:22 +0000

Today we had an excellent lesson. We have been practicing singing our song, The Musical Alphabet. Nicholas worked on Lessons 33 and 34, with Mozart and Haydn as his teachers. He played the songs, Lullaby, Dance and Roller Coaster and drew a lovely picture of a roller coaster with eighth notes for the little roller coaster cars. Danny played several songs including one called “Jelly Beans”. He worked on Lessons 20 and 21 with Miss Mendelssohn and the Brazilian composer Villa Lobos. Owen did Lesson 36 and his cartoon-teachers were Mr. Haydn and Mrs. Amy Beech. Sophie did lessons 53 and 54 with Mr. Handel. You may have heard of Handel’s Messiah, which comes round at Christmas time. She also drew a nice picture to illustrate her song. Lauren and Lillian learned about Line notes and Space notes, and Lillian was an excellent peer helper to Rachel who was reviewing Finger Numbers. Lauren’s teachers were Mr. Tchaikowsky and Mr. Satie and she also wrote the letters to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, in the key of G Major. All of the children also played music games in the Games Room of the computer program.

We will be having an open House (Recital) on Monday at 3 o’clock, and family and friends are invited.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, June 6, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:19:52 +0000

Today students played at various levels. We looked at a book of pictures of the composers which we have been learning about. We took turns singing into a microphone — we have been practicing the “Musical Alphabet Song — Remember No H in Music”.. Danny and Rachel enjoyed playing the stepping stone game. Lauren worked on “Ode to Joy” and is learning to say each letter. Lillian played “Twinkle” and practiced playing notes near to Middle C. Sophie is on lesson 52, but I can’t remember the name of her song. Some of the children had Mr. Tschaikowsky for their teacher. The “Open House” which is like a Recital will be Monday June 20, and parents can come at 3 pm.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary, Uncategorized

Inglis Street Elementary, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:35:22 +0000

Today was a bit mixed up as one girl’s lunch was left at the office and one boy forgot it was MUSIQ day and went to the cafeteria. However, I went and found him. Students had Mr. Joplin as a cartoon teacher, and focused really well, alternating, between doing a Lesson with some songs and then going to the Games Room. Yurek played the songs Sea Saw and Opposites. Students are learning to make ant tunnels with their hands so as to have good hand position. Each child should practice a song for the upcoming recital.

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, May 16, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:21:16 +0000

Today some of the students had Mr. Joplin and Ms. Mendelssohn. Owen and Nicholas have made good progress and enjoyed playing the Pirates Game which involves pitch recognition, and the Stepping Stones game. Rachel and Lillian played Mary Had a Little Lamb, the Leaf Game, and the Train Game (involves holding notes for specified number of beats). Several of the students, Rachel, Lillian and Danny are learning and reviewing finger numbers, which is a challenge for some of the younger students. In the first lessons, they were able to use any finger number they felt like, but now they have to use specific fingers. Lauren had Mr. Tschaikowsky as her cartoon teacher, on Lesson 41. She played Here comes the Bride and Over the Hill and the Puzzle Game. Each child should practice a song to play at the recital.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Inglis Street Elementary, Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Sat, 14 May 2011 00:20:08 +0000

Today students worked at their own level. Yurek did Lessons 10 and 11. His teachers were Mr. Bach and Mr. Joplin, and he played notes going up and down and double notes. His favourite game was the coconut game. Wardah’s favourite composer is also Mr. Bach. Today she did Lessons 41 and 42 with composer-teacher Mr. Tschaikowsky. She did the songs “Step and skip” and the Waterfall. She is learning notes in the Treble and Bass staves. She likes the Coconut game and the Princess Story game, which develops rhythm. We heard that another student Nhi went on a trip and we’ll hear all about it when she gets back.

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary, Uncategorized

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, May 9, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:12:46 +0000

Today the students had various cartoon-composers as teachers. Rachel and Danny had Ms Mendelssohn for Lesson 17. We also did a bit of review with Mr. Joplin about finger numbers. We had to look carefully at the computer to see which hand we were supposed to use and which finger. During the early lessons, the children where allowed to use any finger, but now the program is getting more specific. Stepping Stones and the Princess Story were favourite games. Owen and Nicholas worked on Lessons 31 and 32 with Mr. Dvorak. Among their songs were Old MacDonald and Yankee Doodle. They are just beginning the part of the program where they play regular notes on the 5 line staff. Lauren did Lesson 42 with Mr. Tschaikowsky., and played the song, “Over the Hill”. She is learning about the metronome, and enjoyed the princess story game. She is learning to read the notes in the Treble and Bass Staves, and about “Middle C”. Because of a recent royal wedding, she tried to play some notes from another famous wedding song, “Here Comes the Bride”.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary, Uncategorized

Inglis Street Elementary, Wednesday, May 04, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:07:04 +0000

This is a nice class with students working at different levels. Yurek did Lessons 7 & 8 with the cartoon-teacher Mr. Bach. His songs were called, Shorter and Longer, Longer and ShorterTwo by Two, Double Notes and Both Together. He also did some music games. Wardah did Lesson 40 with cartoon teacher, Mr. Dvorak. Her songs were A Bird, Another Friend, Sailing on the Sea and Soaring. Nhi did Lesson 87 with Mr. Debussey Her songs were Little Sheep, Big sheep, Down by the Station, and her favourite song was Jingle Bells. The children had some interest in the recent Royal Wedding, and the girls, picked out a few notes from the song “Here Comes the Bride”.

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary

Inglis Street Elementary, Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:24:54 +0000

This class enjoys working on their computers right after they finish their lunch. Wardah has had Mr. Dvorak as a cartoon character, and is beginning to learn notes on the Treble Staff. She has played many songs, including Hot Cross Buns, Mary had a Little Lamb Ping Pong, and Rise and Fall. Yurek did lessons 5 and 6 with cartoon teachers, Mr. Beethoven and Mr. Bach. He played the song, Birdies and Whales, and Landing in the Middle. Nhi had done Lessons 85 and 86 and can read music with sharps and flats, quarter notes and half notes. She has played the Drumming Song, Distance Friends, Falling Fourths, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Big Sheep and the Cookie Game. Mrs. Mardon read a story about Scott Joplin. Please remind your child that when the first bell rings, they are to take their headphones and put them back in their plastic bags. The children are becoming helpful in taking care of the equipment. I hope that your child enjoys MusIQ. If you have any questions you can email me at skippym@eastlink.ca. Thank you and have a great day!

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, May 2, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:40:38 +0000

Today we had another good class. Sophie and Lauren have become friends and are moving ahead in the program. They are learning to read notes on both the treble and bass clefs with Mr. Tschaikowsky as their cartoon-teacher. They played the song “Over the Hill” and Mary Had a Little Lamb. They are also able to figure out other songs, such as “Twinkle, Twinkle”. They enjoyed playing the “Puzzle Game”. Danny was focusing well by finishing Lesson 15 with teacher Scott Joplin, and starting Lesson 16 with lesson Fanny Mendelssohn. He is learning finger numbers. He played Hot Cross Buns, the Pirates Game (recognizing pitch) and chapter 12 of the Princess Story book (learning rhythm). Lillian did Lessons 8 and 9 with teacher Mr. Bach. She was learning “double Notes” (one note with each hand). Her favourite games were the Train Game, Bongo Boy and Jungle Girl. Owen and Nicholas had fun doing Lessons 30 and 31, and playing the Restaurant game. They were learning songs and line and apace notes, and counting the beats. If you have any questions, please email me at skippym@eastlink.ca. See you next week.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Crichton Park Elementary, Monday, April 11, 2011, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:05:29 +0000

This week we started a new term and we welcomed one new girl. One computer gave us a little trouble until Mrs. Mardon got it up and running. Meanwhile the children were good peer helpers, helping each other. Several primary children were more focused and attentive and tried harder to figure out new songs and games. The actual experience of MusIQ goes beyond the learning of music, but includes learning to follow instructions, as well as patience and care in handling expensive equipment. Several children had cartoon-teachers such as Fanny Mendelssohn and Scott Joplin (composer of the Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag). Several children played Ode to Joy, Mary had a Little Lamb and Twinkle Twinkle. See you all next week.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Crichton Park Elementary School, Monday, March 28, 2011, 2:30-3:30, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:42:23 +0000

Today several of the students were working on Level 1B and their cartoon composer was Mr. Scott Joplin who wrote the Entertainer and the Maple Leaf Rag. He called himself the King of Ragtime. Two girls, H and R were on Lesson 14 and 15. Some of the students are learning finger numbers: thumbs are number 1, index fingers are number 2, etc. small fingers are number 5. It would be helpful if you could review these finger numbers with your child. A boy named, O.R. played Mountains and Valleys and UP side Down Buns, while another boy, N. played Bongo Boy and Trains. Favourite games were the Princess, the Pirates digging for Gold and the Train game. One girl, L.C. has been practice Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Mary had a Little Lamb so that she can play them in music class. Another girl, S. F. enjoyed lesson 42. We all had a good time. The teacher, Mrs. Mardon, ended the class by playing several fiddle tunes.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Inglis Street Elementary School, P-2, 12:00-1:00, March 23, 2011

Skippy Mardon — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:27:19 +0000

The students came to MusIQ after their lunch. Some students did Lesson 43-44 with Mr. Tschaikowsky at their cartoon-teacher. They are playing music notes on the grand staff, using the Treble and Bass Clefs. Their songs were Hot Cross Buns and Onward and Upwards. Students who were working on Lessons 80-81 played with a cartoon woodpecker for a metronome. Their songs were Ode to Joy and Mirror, Mirror, They enjoyed several music games such as the postcard game, The Restaurant Game (teaches note values) and Bongo Boy (rhythms). One boy who did Lessons 22 had Villa-Lobos as a cartoon-teacher, and playerd Skip to My Lou and the Pirate Game. Another girl J.W. played Sur le Pont d’Avignon and is learning to read regular musical notation. Many of the children in this class want to continue, even when the bell rings!

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary

Chrichton Park Elementary School, P-2, Mondays, 2:30-3:30 pm, March 21, 2011

Skippy Mardon — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:12:51 +0000

The students enjoyed the clss and were very attentive today. Several students were working on Lessons 13, 14 and 15 where they learn finger numbers, hand position and holding notes, that is notes which hole for 2, 3 or 4 beats. They enjoyed games which teach pitch (high/low) such as Pirate’s Gold, and rhythm games like the Princess who tells Stories. They played songs: Hot Cross Buns, Upside Down Buns, and Mountains and Valleys. Scott Joplin who wrote the “Entertainer” was their teacher. Other students were at the level of Lessons 30-32. They played “waltzing Fingers” Old MacDonald” and “Yankee Doodle”. They listened to Jupiter Symphony by Mozart. Students who have a piano or keyboard could practice at home. Some of the students own or subscribe to the program for use with their home computer and this is very helpful to them.

Filed under: Crichton Park Elementary

Inglis Street Elementary, March 16, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:12:06 +0000

This is a great group of students. At the end of some classes, when the bell rings, the students don’t even want to leave. They wish that they could stay longer. The students are working on various lessons in the Children’s Music Journey, from Lesson 12 to 80+. Student W.M. had Mrs. Beech as her cartoon-composer teacher. She reviewed finger numbers and played songs with real music notes on the grand staff. A boy, Student A.R. had Scott Joplin as his composer teacher. He listened to rags such as the Sunflower Drag and Maple Leaf Rag. He played songs such as Sea-Saw and Target Practice. His favourite game was Jungle Girl. Another student J.W. played the Leaves Game and for songs, played Old MacDonald and Yankee Doodle. One girl, N.D. learned about the instruments in the String Family, such a violins and cellos. She played the “Big C Twist”. One boy, J. B-C, enjoyed going to the library. He did Lesson 26 and played the Mail Game and the Guitar Game. A girl, S. O, played the “Grand Staff March” and Hot Cross Buns. The teacher, Mrs. Mardon, recently brought a small violin to school and played several pieces on it for the children.

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary

Inglis Street Elementary School, Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 12:00 – 1:00, P-2

Skippy Mardon — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:28:23 +0000

The students in this group are working on different levels depending on their amount of time in the program. Student W. had Mrs. Beech as a cartoon-teacher and is reading notes from the Grad Staff, such as the Grand Staff March. Student J. enjoyed playing Hot Cross Buns and Onward and Upward. Her cartoon teacher was Mr. Tchaikowsky. Student A. is learning finger numbers and he played “Opposites” and the “Pirates Game – Digging for Gold”. N. played Ode to Joy, the Restaurant Game with the pot of Soup, and Bongo Boy. All the students enjoyed their time and helped to pick up the equipment by putting the headphones in the blue bags.

Filed under: Inglis Street Elementary