Getting Started on the Ukulele

    We started learning our C and C7 chords and everyone is doing great.  The kids are working very hard and they get better with every class. More updates to come and hopefully a video soon.

2nd Grade Musical

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

January 16th at 6:30 at CFES

    This year in second grade we will be performing the music, "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."  We are finally going to see what he could see.  Second grade classes will be working on the music all year long and will be performing it on January 16th at 6:30.  I send home more information closer to the end of the year but if you have any questions please let me know. 

UKULELES!!!!!!!

    I am so very excited about what is happening in 4th and 5th grade this year.  Our awesome administration here at CFES helped our music room get a classroom set of ukuleles!  Chick Music, one of our Partners in Education, helped get us a great deal on Alfred's Kid's Ukulele set.

    I will keep everyone up to date on how our new instrument adventure is going in fourth and fifth grade.  Hopefully we will have a class full of Iz Kamakawiwoʻoles when we are through. 

AND WE'RE BACK!!! (I've been busy, I promise)

    Sorry for the lack of new stuff on my blog here at CFES but it has been a REAL busy start to the school year.  My wife and I welcomed our new little girl into the world, Tabitha Ann. She was born on the morning of August 30th and it has been an amazing few weeks.

I took a few weeks off to be with our family as we adjusted to life with two little girls in the house, my other little girl Collette is now 2 1/2.  I was also honored with a great surprise the day before we welcomed Tabitha into the world.  The amazing people I work with voted me Teacher of the Year.  

It's been a great few weeks for me and my family.  I am very excited about what this year has in store for us here at CFES and I will try to keep this blog updated with what is happening.  If you need to contact  me my email address is: mlawing@oconeeschools.org.

5th Grade Music Critics Part 2

This our second installment our 5th Grade music critics.  Our listenings  were inspired by the musical group The Piano Guys.  We listened to two very very different pieces and then watched how the Piano Guys did their own versions of the songs.  

 Our first listening is one of the most famous classical pieces of music ever written.  Which most of us have heard again and again at weddings, it is Pachelbel's Canon in D.  This piece, surprisingly to me, got many more thumb ups than thumbs down. The 5th graders used words like: flowing, relaxing, boring, repetitive,  and one said it made them think of a waterfall on a snowy day.  Please enjoy both the original version and the Piano Guy's version of Pachelbel's Canon in D.  

The second Piano Guy's inspired listening was theme from the famous T.V show turned movie called, Mission Impossible.  It is one of the most recognizable themes in TV and movies.  The kids gave a huge list of other movies they have heard this theme in.  Enjoy the original version along with the Piano Guy's twist on this classic theme.  

Grab Your Partner!

In third grade we have just discovered the fun of square dancing.  I even made boys and girls dance together (they acted like they hated it but they secretly loved it.)  Fun was had by all as we danced to an old American folk song named, "Alabama Gal."  

Come through 'na hurry

Ain't I rock candy?

I don't know how how!

I showed you how how!

Grab your partner!

The Reviews Are In

The reviews are in and Pirates the Musical was a huge success!  Congratulations to all fifth graders for a fantastic show.  

ARR!!!!

Pirates PTO Performance Information

On January 17th, the Fifth Grade students will be performing Pirates the Musical! at the PTO meeting in the gym.  The fifth graders have been working on this musical in music class, and are excited to put on this performance for an audience.

The performance and PTO meeting will be held in the gym at 6:30.  Please bring students to the music room at 6:15.  I would love to see every fifth grader here that night.  I understand if not all students are able to make the performance, but if possible please let me know if your child will not be able to attend.

Since this story is about pirates, students are welcome and encouraged to dress up.  I keep my programs very simple as far as costumes go, so a simple pirate costume  is just fine.  If your child has a specific character such as Purplebeard, you can make them a purple beard or have them wear purple.  NO gun props of any kind are allowed, plastic sword as an accessory to go along with the costume is great.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.  Thank you for your support, and I hope to see you all at the performance!

Matthew Lawing
mlawing@oconeeschools.org