Music with Mrs. Ochs

Mrs. Ochs, jochs@gisu.org

MRs. Ochs is back!

We're excited to have Mrs. Ochs back in class and she's already hard at work planning and preparing students for our Spring concert! 

Keep an eye on the Wildcat Wisdom for more information in the coming weeks.

Thanks from Ms. Gibbons

Ms Gibbons asked us to share the following with our families:

"Hello families! Last Friday was my last day at Grand Isle School as the long term music substitute. I am so thankful I got to work with your children and be a part of their musical journey! I wish you all the best!!"

Meet Mrs. Ochs

Let's Stay In Touch!
I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a young child.  My mother taught 3rd grade in Highgate, VT for 36 years. I remember helping set up her classroom each fall and loving it all! In 7th grade, I realized how much I love music (playing flute especially) so I decided to combine the two ideas into teaching music.  I was hired in August of 2002. This is my 20th year teaching in Grand Isle! I have begun teaching the children of some of my first students!

I have learned over the past 10 years or so that helping kids be happy, healthy and successful is my true passion; music provides me with an avenue for connecting with kids. My most joyful moments as a teacher are when a student has the ‘aha’ moment where their effort and perseverance has paid off and something that was once hard has become easy.  

When I’m not teaching, I can be found in Milton with my husband and two boys. Often we are going from one activity to another, but we still find time for relaxing around a campfire in the backyard.

I try to email 2-3 families a week  to share the great things that your children do in class.  Whether they sang a solo for the first time, helped out a friend, or participated in an expressive movement activity, etc.  
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Never hesitate to reach out if you have questions regarding your child’s music education or if you would like musical ideas or activities to do with your child. 

- jochs@gisu.org
    Telephone- 802-372-6913 x5111

What are your students learning in Music This year?

Kindergarten - Second
Students are learning what it means to be a performer as they continue to work on pitch and maintaining their part in a group.

First Steps in Music: The 30 year plan to be Tuneful, Beatful, and Artful. 
This is the philosophy behind the curriculum program that I use with early elementary students. This ‘musical workout’ develops the child’s sense of beat, ability to sing on pitch, and be able to have an emotional reaction to music.  This program develops musicians over a 3 year plan. 

Third

​We will be beginning an exploration of improvisation as students progress with their recorders and learning to be performers with their instruments.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions during the 20-21 school year, the grade 3 students had very limited exposure to singing and playing basic wind instruments.  These students will be finishing up the First Steps in Music Program and will begin to learn to play recorders after the winter break 

Fourth-Fifth

We are coninuing on with keyboard instruction. Did you know that piano/keyboard is the number one instrument adults wish they had learned as a child?

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions during the 20-21 school year and the school shut down during the 19-20 school year; the grade 4 and 5 students missed the opportunity to learn the recorder.  Recorders are considered a ‘pre-band’ instrument as they are less complex than band instruments and still allow students to use expression when playing.  We use the ‘Recorder Karate’ Method where students earn ‘belts’ for each level they complete.  Please ask your child which belt level they are on.
Click the image below to practice reading music notes on a staff: 

Sixth 

Students are beginning a musical history research project. They will choose a founder of music and create a commercial to sell that composer to today's young.

These students have been learning simple songs on piano.  All students are able to work at their own pace and have completed multiple songs.  
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Student performance videos will be shared before the end of trimester 1. 

BAND (Fourth-Sixth)

Students in grades 4-6 have the option of participating in Band. Ms Ochs will send out an email at the beginning of the year to families in grades 4-6. If you have not seen this email or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to email or 802-372-6913 ext. 5111. 

Elective (Fourth-Sixth)

Trimester 3 is Choir! Students will learn 1-2 songs in preparation for our Spring Concert.
Why is playing an instrument important?

Musical Fun

Enjoy these short ‘scary’ music videos (beware of jump scares!)
This video teaches the musical concept of call and response. There is an extremely fun game that goes with the song.

Please note: I never show this video to classes younger than 4th grade due to a surprise jump scare at the end.  
My 6th grade students have enjoyed this video.

​I have been very clear that they should never use this playing technique on their own pianos!