From the Hawk Nest

For those that are unable to attend the parent forum, the following is a screen cast overview of this Wednesday's presentation.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2eGTD2Y-axnNjNmcjN0eGZEMzQ/view

Additionally, the following is a link to the Reorganization webpage. This is also located on the district's main page.
http://www.brandonschooldistrict.org/index.php/district-reorganization-proposal

Finally, please feel free to continue sharing questions and comments through the link provided below. The responses to these questions will be listed in the FAQ or another accompanying document on the webpage.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrandonReconfiguration

It may be chilly or cold outside, but warm sounds abound in the music room!

Jr. Kindergarteners are learning to play the rhythm of their songs’ words, known as word

rhythm, on a variety of un-pitched instruments as well as on found sounds. (Found sounds are items found within the room, such as chair seats, that are not music instruments but are played as though they are.)

How many pitched and un-pitched sounds can your child find in and around your house?

Kindergarten students are learning about pitch by: 1) identifying pitched and un-pitched

sounds that can be made with, both, their voices and instruments; 2) continuing to develop their ability to match pitch with their singing voices; 3) using pitched and un-pitched sounds in their music making; 4) aurally recognizing Sol-Mi patterns heard in various songs and instrumental pieces; and 5) visually recognizing and singing Sol-Mi patterns, written in iconic form.

Through moving, singing and playing instruments, first grade students are discovering that a song’s tune is made of different pitches. They are learning about pitch by: 1) recognizing and moving to high, medium and low sounds; 2) hearing, singing, signing and playing the step-wise melody pattern, La Ti Do; 3) identifying the pitch direction of a song’s tune, a.k.a., melody, by looking at its note heads; and 4) discovering the relationship between the size of instruments and their pitch.

Through performing body percussion and rhymes, listening, singing and playing instruments, second-grade students are learning about AB form, in which a song or musical piece contains two different sections or parts.

Third-grade students are learning about the orchestra and its four families of instruments. Just as brothers, sisters, moms and dads have common characteristics, so do the instruments that are found in each family of the orchestra. These commonalities not only affect the looks of the instruments but also the sound quality, known as tone color or timbre. Perhaps you might watch/listen to an orchestra perform via youtube and ask your child to point out all they’ve learned!

Keep a warm song in your heart!

Ms. Vergith

I've attached a survey to gather your thoughts and perspective of how things are going at HSE. It won't take long to answer and know that your information is vital and will greatly help us in the future with planning and providing experiences we are able to offer.

Thanks in advance for your help. We appreciate you, your time, and your thoughts.

EVERY MONDAY IS HAWK PRIDE T-SHIRT DAY!

Report cards will be sent home Friday, February 3rd

MSU Federal Credit Union visits on the 10th

H.E.L.P. meeting on the 16th at 4:00 pm in the HSE Library

Half day of school on the 17th. Dismissal will be 12:10 pm

NO SCHOOL Monday, February 20th

Board of Education meeting on the 20th at 6:30 pm at the I-TEC Center

NED Show Assembly to visit on the 23rd.

MSU Federal Credit Union visits on the 24th

Get Connected and Stay Connected

Student Day-8:55-3:50pm

Half Day-8:55-12:10pm

Office Hours-8:10-4:40pm

Email: brenner@brandon.k12.mi.us
Website: http://www.brandonschooldistrict.org/index.php/schools/harvey-swanson-elementary
Location: 209 Varsity Drive, Ortonville, MI, United States
Phone: (248) 627-1850
Twitter: @PrincipalRenner