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We have had a great start to the school year in Music classes, and it continues to be a joy to teach your children.
Creating on keyboards, drumming together, playing songs using boomwhackers, singing, and thinking critically about the role of music in expanding our worldviews, encouraging social and racial justice, and helping us make sense of our feelings and experiences has kept us engaged and busy.
In September we learned about Nimo Patel, an Indian-American musician and activist who works to spread messages of love, service, community, and hope to people around the world. He has devoted his life to empowering children and lifting up communities in need - all through music and the arts. One of our favorite songs is Planting Seeds.
October brought us Jennifer Lopez, an American musician and actor who has Puerto Rican roots and helped us learn songs in Spanish. We learned about Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrated Spanish speaking people and their families living in the United States, appreciating Spanish-language songs even when we did not know all of the words. A song we enjoyed was Almost Like Praying [feat. Artists for Puerto Rico].
We also celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on October 9, singing and including American Sign Language (ASL) while learning about the history of the Ho-Chunk people, honoring the land our school and city is on as land of the Ho-Chunk people, calling Madison Tejop (four lakes in Ho-Chunk), and finding ways we can use music to be advocates for justice and progress. Ask your child about Indigenous Peoples' Day Song for Kids.
Moving into November, we will be practicing ukuleles, singing daily, and learning about a new Musician of the Month. I'm so glad to be one of your child's teachers!
Please reach out anytime.
Ms. Kazda
akazda@madison.k12.wi.us
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