Blending In and Standing Out, part II

Anyone working with children certainly appreciates the challenges of teaching meaningful lessons the week before a break.My answer to this quandary is to hand classes over to my students with something I call Share Day. Share Day in music is my absolute favorite time of the year … I invite every one of them to share a musical talent with their class. Sort of a mini-talent show, students are welcome to share a song, dance, instrument, or anything that may fall under the umbrella of Performing Arts. Even students who just want to see what it’s like to play piano or drum set or ukulele (or whatever!), get a chance to perform. I tell them “listen to your heart, play what you hear and try to give it a beginning, middle, and an end” This past week, as always, I was blown away, not only with the myriad performances, but also with how supportive and encouraging every one of them were for their classmates … It was absolutely beautiful … I wish I could share some footage with everyone, but that would negate everything I’m trying to foster. So, parents out there, please know your children are amazing and I am so incredibly grateful to know them When they are given a chance to shine they rise up ❤️

Recorder Karate is back in third grade!

Students in third grade are always delighted when recorder time hits. This year our formal evening concert will be at The Bear Tavern Evening of Fine Arts on Thursday, May 29th. More details on times will be sent home in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, please encourage your child to PRACTICE! Every recorder folder contains fingering charts, songs to work on and composition activities to inspire the composer within each of our third graders. Beginning next week, students may start working on earning their recorder "belts" by successfully performing the progressive belt songs they are receiving in music classes this week. In order to earn a belt, students must be able to perform the song with correct notes, fingerings, steady beat and rhythmic accuracy, and a clear tone. Please check your child's recorder folder for a copy of the belt song rubric. We encourage the students to logon to the following website for practicing at home:

Recorder Karate Dojo


When you click on the "streaming audio" link, located on the left side of the screen you will be prompted to enter the following credentials -

username: karate
The password is written inside your child's Recorder Folder

I Dream a World

Bear Tavern Elementary and Toll Gate Grammar School students presented “I Dream A World” on March 12 at the Hopewell Valley Performing Arts Center. The performance was the culmination of four weeks of study with artists-in-residence Pauline Houston McCall and Robb McCall of RaisingMusic.org in Philadelphia. During that time, the students crafted clay busts of their own faces and placed them on colorful mats where they wrote their dreams for a better world under the instruction of staff teachers and artist Houston McCall. Musically, the students composed and performed six songs with musician Robb McCall about how they could improve the world around them, dealing with issues such as homelessness and bullying. It was an enriching and enlightening experience for everyone! What a fantastic job done by all involved!

June Share Days are coming!

Please click here to sign up for our June Share Days in Music!