K-2 Weekly Sing-Along Schedule

Here is the schedule for our weekly K-2 Sing-Along:

We meet every Wednesday morning, from 8:40 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.. All K-2 classes participate (12 classes total), and parents and non-school age siblings are welcome, as well. We sing 9-12 songs per 1/2 hour, ranging from patriotic songs to silly camp songs. I took over from another musician who was so well-organized, she used to have a "band" that played with her (she played piano, and we also had several guitars, an electric bass, glockenspiel, and various other visitors). That being said, that colleague was part-time and that was her only responsibility at school. She used the overhead projector.

I am not nearly as organized as she - I get my program ready usually on Tuesday nights! One of my colleagues plays guitar, and a mom brings her ukulele. Every song I do is on a PowerPoint, and I use my computer hooked up to the projector. I LOVE it, as I can animate some illustrations, which makes it fun for the kiddos.

My Ks don't get a music class (which I would LOVE to change, but it ain't gonna happen anytime soon!); Sing-Along was started to give them a musical experience.

I emphasize good singing, good audience behavior (not getting up to go to the bathroom until in between songs, etc.), and we always have a ton of fun! My principal says it's the biggest public service ad we do all year - the parents love having that opportunity to be with their children, and they always have a smile when leaving.

(below is a follow-up explaining further)

For music specials, I'm the only full-time person. I have one colleague who comes in and teaches 5th graders on Tuesday, and there are two instrumental teachers (strings and band) who teach during lunch times. Teachers' day begins officially at 7:45 a.m. and the kids come in from outside around 8:00 a.m.. Some specials classes begin as early as 8:20 a.m. (although that tends to be the older kids - the younger ones need more time in the winter to get winter clothes off, etc.).

So, my room is "free" for use during this time. My room is right next to the gym, and there is no sound-proofing (even though the architect THINKS there is!), but we generally don't notice what's happening there at all.

My planning period on Sing-Along day immediately follows the sing-along itself. The classes are generally cleared out no later than 9:15 a.m., but I do have to shoo parents out around 9:30 a.m. so I can rearrange the room.

My schedule includes:

• seven 1st grade classes, 30 minutes each
• five 2nd grade classes, 40 minutes each
• four 3rd grade classes, 45 minutes each
• five 4th grade classes, 45 minutes each
• K-2 Sing-Along, 30 minutes
• 3rd, 4th and 5th grade choruses, each 45 minutes
• Random 1-1 music classes to meet the needs of a few individuals (15-20 minutes each)
• three hours of what we call "integrated arts," when I work with classroom teachers to help them prepare projects/performances for their classes. (Not really integrated arts, as I see it, but it's what it was called before I arrived.)