A new opportunity to help out the WOHE music classroom is now available!!  Mrs. Kuchta's music classroom now has a new Donor's Choose project posted.  Our music room is in desperate need of an up-to-date iPad.  Our current classroom iPad is a dinosaur...going on 10 years old.  It no longer supports Apple software updates, won't stayed charged, and likes to shut down randomly without warning.  We use our iPad daily, typically with just about every class in some form or fashion.  From recording projects, to music apps, to various record keeping, to story telling, and so much more, our classroom iPad is an essential tool for the functioning of our classroom community.  PLEASE consider helping!!  Every little amount get us closer to our goal!!!  Click the link her below to see the posted project via the Donors Choose website!

Music Room Technology Update: The Dinosaur iPad Must Go! 

WOHE Music Dept. Spring 2020 Update

Hello my fabulous WOHE Musicians & Families!!

What a crazy time we are navigating through right now!! In this time of uncertainty I think it’s important to make sure we continue to make time to be creative and enjoy beautiful art and music together. My goal is to provide some musical activities for all ages that you can do at home during these days of family togetherness and bonding. Music has a way of uniting people together so let's take something that is already beautiful and make it a family memory. Pick whichever activities interest you the most! I will regularly be updating, adding, etc. to these lists of activities (via the multiple tabs up top on this blog homepage).  Feel free to choose more than one activity, as many as you'd like, but don’t overwhelm yourself.  Please make sure you are choosing activities that are grade and age level appropriate. If you have brothers and sisters at home, it might be fun to do these activities together! :)

Some of these activities are technology based and others are non-tech based.  I will try to update this list as best as I can while we go through this adventure together. I would LOVE to see any pictures and/or videos of your music making. If you send me an email or message, I will always send you a message back as soon as I am able to! I might even be inclined to make you a WOHE Facebook star :), with parents permission of course :)!!  You can email any photos and/or videos to erinkuchta@willardschools.net.  Be looking for announcements, lists, information to come within the next few days regarding all of these wonderful activities and resources that have already been added and will soon be added to this blog!!

Finally, be sure you are following me on this blog as well as my FB page along with our school FB page and website as most of my communication runs through these social media venues.  Please navigate through the page tabs on this blog homepage above to see all of the wonderful resources currently in place and the ones soon to come (in progress)!!!  This homepage will be your musical playground over the next many days to come and as well as the future beyond!!

VIP - PERFORMANCE UPDATES

• At this time, discussion is taking place as to next steps regarding the rescheduling of the Kindergarten musical, "Three Nanny Goats Gruff" which was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 2nd. As soon as we have a plan in place, we will communicate that to our WOHE Family!! 
  
• Kodaly of the Ozarks Honor Choir - Saturday performance April 18th.  With a disappointed yet understanding heart, I inform you that this event has officially been canceled per recommendations of the CDC, the local, the state, and the national government with the mandatory restrictions that have now been put in place.  This particular event will not be rescheduled, however, we are still working on trying to have the choir perform at WOHE's Fine Arts Literacy Night which at this time is still scheduled for Thursday, April 25th.  Look for further announcements to come regarding this event.  

Again, we appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility as we are all weathering these tides together.

Mrs. Kuchta
WOHE Music Teacher

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL - 2017

Welcome Back 2017:
WOHE Music w/ Mrs. Kuchta

New and exciting adventures await us this school year (2017-2018) in elementary music class!  Mrs. Kuchta is excited to kick of the school year with a musical bang!  These are just some friendly reminders on how you can stay connected and informed with everything going on in our classroom!!  First and foremost, THIS Blog is a great way to stay connected and up-to-date!  You can also stay informed by visiting our school website and Facebook pages.  All of these forms of media are updated on a regular basis.  Mrs. Kuchta also distributes a quarterly paper newsletter.  Click here (coming soon) to see the most recent issue of that newsletter!!  It is loaded with TONS of information!!!     

FOURTH GRADE RECORDER ANNOUNCEMENT:

ALL WOHE 4th Grade Classes will be participating in our Recorder Karate program again this year!  Click on the picture of the girl above to be taken directly to our Recorder Karate website to see all of the fun things this program offers!!  This is also the site where students can access their practice student handbook, look up recorder fingering charts, etc.  Students will need to have their PassWord access code to enter this site as it is a protected page!  If you need further information on that, feel free to e-mail me (erinkuchta@willardschools.net).

Looking Ahead... 

 

2017-2018 MUSIC PROGRAM DATES: 

2nd Grade - Thursday, Oct. 5th, 2017

3rd Grade - Thursday, Oct. 26th, 2017

4th Grade - Thursday, Dec. 7th, 2017

1st Grade - Thursday, March 8th, 2018

Kindergarten - Thursday, Apr. 12th, 2018

Quaver's Marvelous World!

Our brand new FABULOUS music curriculum.  Click on the picture to be taken directly to the website where students can explore the magical, musical world with Quaver.  They will need our school code (which is posted on the white board in the music classroom or you can e-mail me for access) to explore endless worlds of music creations!  Our district pays for access to this resource so the code cannot be posted publicly :)!!  

This is the screen in which the student will input that code to gain access!! 

There is also a FREE interactive app that students can download to their device in which they can explore as well!!  There is so much to dive into, your child will absolutely love all of the new worlds they can explore!

The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster - 1st Grade MUSICAL

WOHE 1st graders will be presenting The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster on Thursday, March 3rd at 2:30 (matinee) and 7:00.  Come join us for an evening of great fun and laughter!!  Doors will open at 6:30 for evening performance!!

 

WOHE 1st Grade Presents...The Little Engine That Could Sing

WOHE 1st grade cordially invites you to attend their musical production of The Little Engine That Could Sing which takes place on Thursday, March 5th, 2015!!  There will be 2 performances, a matinee taking place at 2:30 and the evening production taking place at 7:00 (both occurring in the WOHE commons)!  Doors will open at 6:30 for the evening production.  Students need to arrive no later than 6:40 and will report to their home room classrooms.   All choir students will wear their black Wednesday WOHE t-shirts with nice jeans (except those students who have designated prearranged train costumes).  Please contact Mrs. Kuchta by email or phone if you have any questions!   See you there!

"On Broadway" - Presented By: WOHE 3rd Grade!

WOHE 2nd Presents - Lights, Camera, Action!!!

Come join WOHE 2nd grade on Thursday, Oct. 23rd at 7:00 p.m. as they present this fabulous show sure to be a crowd hit!  You won't want to miss it!  Students that do not have an assigned costume (predetermined ahead of time w/ Mrs. Kuchta-these students already know of their arrangements) should wear their black Wednesday WOHE "Get In The Game" T-Shirts!  Can't wait to see you all there!!!  

Welcome Back 2014

Wonderful WOHE!!  Welcome back!!  It's going to be another GREAT year!  I've attached a copy of the latest Music Room Newsletter, "Music Notes."  Click here to be taken to a PDF link of this printable newsletter.  This is the same newsletter that is going home with every student at Meet the Teacher Night and Kindergarten Welcome Day!!  Important information such as grade level music program dates and so much more is included in this newsletter so you'll want to stick it on your refrigerator so you'll be sure to see it EVERY day!!!

Be sure to check out Mrs. Kuchta's Corner; An Elementary Music Wonderland Facebook Page as well.  Make sure you "like" it while you scoping it out! :)  This page will be another venue for keeping up-to-date with the latest music room news!

Be sure you are a follower/subscriber to this blog as well as the Facebook page mentioned above so you can be sure not to miss any important announcements/updates!  As a follower/subscriber, you'll automatically receive any posts as they happen.  What better way to stay informed!

Mrs. Kuchta's "Music With Friends" Bulletin Board waiting to greet the
students as they enter the building to begin the new 2014-2015 school year.

Mrs. Kuchta, Featured Teacher Author on TpT

I was so excited to see that I was selected to be a featured seller today on Teachers Pay Teachers.  It's the little things that can add sparkle to ones day!!!    

Perfect Poolside Planning: Summer Blog Hop

Even though summer has officially begun and is in full swing, my type A personality paired with those creative "elementary music teacher juices" can never fully shut down to take that much needed vacation.  You just can't escape those middle of the night "light bulb" moments no matter what time or season of the year it is!!   

I am so thrilled to have the wonderful privilege and opportunity of being a member of a group of fabulous music teachers from all over the world that have come together via various networking connections/communities.  We have recently teamed up to bring this blog hop event with the purpose of sparking some ideas and helpful hints that you can hopefully find useful in your music classrooms.

When deciding what I wanted to blog about, the topic of "how to incorporate larger thematic music units of study" into your music curriculum and lesson planning came to mind.  Along with this topic also comes the question of how to decipher what music topics are age & skill appropriate for the grade levels you teach.   So, without further delay, here it goes!!

Over my 13 years of teaching, these units have proven time and time again to be the "traditional" ever faithful favorites!!   I certainly don't have time to squeeze EVERY single one of these units listed into my planning EVERY single year.  Many times, as you well know, we are hammered with so many expectations of not only fulfilling our daily lesson plans and curriculum but we are also expected to produce wonderful, elaborate grade level music programs/productions at some point in the school year as well (along with being ready to handle many other "hats" that are thrown our direction at any given moment throughout the school year :).  These units listed below are ones that I have used and rotated throughout the years.  I will list them for you by grade levels as this is how my brain functions and this helps me to sequentially process my long-term linear planning as I am a Kodaly certified music teacher and that is how most of us "Kodaly Types" roll!! :):)

Kindergarten - 

• Basic Beginning Elements of Music (high/low, loud/soft, fast/slow, long/short, jerky/smooth, steady beat, etc.) - these elements coincide with my sequential Kodaly curriculum.
• Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales in Music Unit

First Grade - 

• Peter and the Wolf (I usually revisit this with deeper details in 3rd grade as well)

Second Grade - 

• Carnival of the Animals 

Third Grade - 

• Instruments of the Orchestra Unit 
• Luigi's Baton Series by: John Jacobson's Music Express Magazine is a GREAT resource that I have used the past several years to help supplement this unit. 
• Another gem of a resource that I've recently discovered and have started using to help supplement this unit, which happens to be created by a fellow colleague who is also a member of this music teacher networking group, Mrs. Sara Bibee, is her Instrument Resource Packets.  You can find her on Teachers Pay Teachers. She has created/published these EXCELLENT packets that are loaded with SO MUCH great information, media, etc.  Thanks Sara for making this unit a blast to teach!! 
• Peter and the Wolf (I use this as a follow up to the Instruments of the Orchestra Unit as a review and testing the student's understanding/knowledge of what they've just learned).
• Please check out one of my top-selling products in my Teachers Pay Teachers store that I use to enhance the teaching of this unit.  This Smart Notebook lesson has been a lifesaver for me.  Click this link below to check it out!!
• http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Peter-And-The-Wolf-A-Story-Told-Through-Music-721150 

Peter and the Wolf - Smart Notebook Title Sample Page, Mrs. Kuchta's Corner (TpT)

Fourth Grade - (The "spooky" music year :) 

• Danse Macabre (I cover this unit in October around Halloween time)
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Peer Gynt   

Fifth Grade - 

• Spotlight on Broadway
• Show Tunes
• Careers In Music
• Experimentation w/ Non-Traditional Music (STOMP, Virtual Music, Etc.)

Sixth Grade - 

• The History of African-American Music and It's Influence on Our Music Today (A Study on Genres from Slavery to Present Day)
• The History of Rock & Roll

Other Units That Can Be Covered Over A Span of Grade Levels or By A Yearly Rotation Schedule - 

• The Nutcracker Suite - (I usually split this unit over a 3 year time frame among my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classes as there is usually not enough time to cover all the details as in depth/detail as I would like, especially since these grade levels are typically preparing for their grade level musicals/programs during the fall semester and into Christmas time).
• Composer(s) of the Month, Quarter, Season, Etc.
• Music from Around the World

Please keep in mind, these units are just general suggestions and can be tweaked to fit the needs of you and your students.  They have been successful, fun, and engaging units for my students over the years.  I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and success stories!!!!  

You can find me and follow me on my Teachers Pay Teachers site, my Facebook page, my Pinterest page, and this Blogger (be sure to follow me on this blogger by subscribing - you can also grab my blogger button to add to your feed on your website :).  Click on these links below to become my newest follower for each site.  Then, hop on over to CMajorLearning for the next FABULOUS Blog stop!!  You won't be disappointed!!!!!  See link below picture or click on picture for your next hop stop!!

Teachers Pay Teachers - Mrs. Kuchta's Corner, An Elementary Music Wonderland 
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CMajorLearning - Click Here

Must Have Monday - Tips For Elementary Music Teaching

3 1/2 weeks and counting!! The longer I teach, the faster the years go by. Funny thing is, the faster the summers go by too :)!! This blog is in response to a colleagues blog link-up idea. Thanks Amy Abbott for the great idea. You can find her blog by clicking on this picture.

1.  My "MUST HAVE'S" from my own personal Teachers Pay Teachers collection/store would have to be my Peter and the Wolf  SMART BOARD Lesson as well as my Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite Unit of Study for the Christmas season.  This particular lesson comes in multiple formats (PDF, PPT, & SMART NOTEBOOK).  I absolutely love doing both of these units with my students!!  Come check them out!!!  Listening maps, games, video clips, etc. 

2.  WOW...how do I limit my "MUST HAVE'S" that I've purchased from fellow TpT friends/colleagues to just one or two shout outs?  I just can't!!  There are SO MANY!!  If I had to pick my most recent favorites, it would be these two product lines - Lindsay Jervis's Ready Set Print Worksheet Sets (she is currently building a product line of these) & Amy Abbott's (a.k.a. Music a la Abbott) Staff Safari adventure products.  Both of these products have given my lessons that extra pizzazz I was needing!!  Thanks ladies!!  

3.  My wishlist keeps growing and growing...it's currently sitting at 387 items :).  I think it's safe to say that I have either a clip art addiction or a shopping addiction or perhaps both!!!  During this upcoming site wide sale, I'm hoping to pick up this adorable product by another fellow music TpT seller, Brittany De Laruelle, Spring Color by Solfege - So & Mi Practice.   

The other product that I plan on purchasing is made by one of my favorite clip art contributors on TpT - Educlips.  I absolutely LOVE everything they do.  I would say that the majority of my clip art that I've purchased is from this artist.  Cowboys and Cowgirls is going to be the next addition to my collection.

I hope you have found some helpful and useful tips from this link - up blog entry!!  PLEASE subscribe, follow, etc. my blog.  You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, and on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click the links below to follow me.

Musically Yours,

Erin Kuchta

Mrs. Kuchta's Corner, An Elementary Music Wonderland - TpT

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Pinterest

WOHE - KINDERGARTEN PRESENTS: 3 Nanny Goats Gruff!!

Willard Orchard Hills Kindergarten Presents: 3 Nanny Goats Gruff - When: Tuesday, April 8th, 2014. 7:00 p.m. Where: Willard Orchard Hills Elementary, Springfield, MO Stay up-to-date with current announcements and details via this blog or through Mrs. Kuchta's classroom Facebook page at Mrs. Kuchta's Corner, An Elementary Music Wonderland!

1st Grade Presents: BARNYARD MOOSICAL

WOHE 1st Grade Presents: Barnyard Moosical When: Thursday, March 20th, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Where: WOHE Commons!! Morning Matinee will take place at 10:10 on that Thursday morning. Students without the farm animal speaking roles, solo's or dance parts need to wear their gray WOHE Wednesday T-shirts for BOTH performances. Students with the other parts mentioned above need to have their costumes present for BOTH performances. For the evening performance, the doors will open at 6:30 and students will need to report for check-in to their home-rooms at that time. Feel free to contact Mrs. Kuchta with questions or concerns if further clarifications are needed!! See you then!

History of African-American Music

This week, 4th grade began our very exciting study on African American music and how it has shaped our music throughout history.  We are currently focusing on the time frame of the civil war, slavery, the Underground Railroad, and details that surround these significant historical events, including the role of music during this VERY fragile time.  

1st Grade Program - BARNYARD MOOSICAL

WOHE 1st Grade Program
Thursday, March 6th, 2014 - 7:00 p.m.

Welcome Back To Spring Semester!!!

As I'm sitting here typing this post thinking about all of the fun and exciting things this "SPRING" semester has in store for the music dept. at WOHE, we are bracing for yet ANOTHER mighty winter snow storm and some of the most coldest temperatures we've had on record in over 25 years.  Not only that, I guess I was one of the lucky ones to help push the health departments flu statistics up by one.  Definitely not how I envisioned spending the end of my Christmas break :(:(:(.  I guess I can at least be thankful that it's not sunshine, daffodils, and roses, with the smell of ocean waves outside, right :)? LOL!!

There are A LOT of exciting things happening in the WOHE music room this semester.  EVERY student will be coming home with a hard copy of this newsletter but if you want a preview, click here for a sneak peek.

Now, if we all join together and do the "BRING ON SPRING DANCE" maybe we can make it happen!!!  Here's to hoping, right? :):):)

WOHE 2nd Grade Presents: The Cheese Stands Alone

Tuesday, Oct. 29th, 2013 - The Cheese Stands Alone

WOHE 2nd Grade!!!!  7:00 p.m.  WOHE Commons

Students need to arrive no later than 6:45 and will report to their assigned homeroom dressed in their Wednesday WOW WOHE gray T-Shirt!!  Cheese cast dresses in black and farm friends come in their pre-arranged costumes!!

Contact Mrs. Kuchta at WOHE if you have further questions  erinkuchta@willardschools.net.

Goldie And The 3 Bears!!! Kindergarten and 1st Grade Spring Musicals

WOHE Kindergarten and 1st Grade Present ----  Goldie and the 3 Bears!!! Attention Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students and Parents - The K and 1st Gr. music programs are fast approaching.  1st Grade performs on Tuesday, April 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the WOHE commons and Kindergarten performs on Thursday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the WOHE commons.  The students have been already working VERY hard on preparing for their performances.  All students will speaking parts and/or solos MUST be memorized by Friday, April 12th.  Feel free to contact Mrs. Kuchta with any questions!!  Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar!!  You won't want to miss these great performances!!

New Donors Choose Project Posted For Music Room

Greetings!!
The WOHE Music Room has created a new Donors Choose project called "Aspiring Young Musicians Need Modern Technology." Check out this link to see how you can help!!! 

http://www.donorschoose.org/ekuchta

WOHE 2nd/3rd Grade Musical - Squirm!!!

The WOHE 2nd/3rd grade has been eagerly preparing for their upcoming musical Squirm! which will take place on Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 in the WOHE commons area. The students are SO excited to share their hard work and preparation with you. This evening is sure to be filled with laughter and fun! You don't want to miss it! Students who have speaking parts and/or solo's will need to have ALL of their lines memorized by THIS Friday, Oct. 26th. Students who are requiring a costume of sorts were given information on this to take home about 3 weeks ago. I have had a few parents contact me with questions regarding this. PLEASE feel free to get a hold of me if you have questions or concerns. ALL costumes need to be done and dropped off in the WOHE music room by Monday, November 5th will the child's name tagged to it somewhere. Students who do not have a specific role as a soloists, speaker, or character (without speaking parts) are the backbone of this performance as they serve as important choir members. These students need to wear their WOHE Wednesday black t-shirts for the performance!! Click here to read a copy of the parent letter that went home on Oct. 4th with students who were selected for speaking parts, solos, etc.