Music with Mrs. Ochs
Mrs. Ochs, jochs@gisu.org
Learning to Play PianoSee the November 15-19 Wildcat Weekly
for fun videos! Students in 6th grade have been learning to play simple songs on the piano as part of their musical instruction. Four students share their new skills in the November 8-12 Wildcat Weekly. Great performance, kids!
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Students had some fun today playing with ‘Boomwhackers’. These are pitched percussion tubes. Students followed along to the ‘Ghostbusters Theme’
using a program called Musication. The students practiced following and interpreting simplified music notation. Boomwacker Fun |
Meet Mrs. Ochs |
Let's Stay In Touch! |
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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. |
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?
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ThirdDue 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-FifthDue 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:
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SixthThese students have been learning simple songs on piano. All students are able to work at their own pace and have completed multiple songs.
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.
Why is playing an instrument important?
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Musical Fun
Enjoy these short ‘scary’ music videos (beware of jump scares!)
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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! |