Mrs. Kanyo's Spot

2011!

2011-01-10T15:32:00.000-06:00

Welcome...new students to Music Technology and Sixth Grade Computers! You were given contracts which are now due!

Music Tech students are working on their first project...ABA! This is done in Acid Pro. They are also working on Music Ace...Sessions 1-4. In addition, they are all learning how to play a simple piano piece. There will be lots more pieces to play.

Sixth Grade Computer classes are learning how to type without looking at their fingers and are beginning to learn how to use Microsoft Office. What are YOUR favorite things???

You are invited....

2010-11-16T12:45:00.000-06:00

Please come see Willy Wonka, JR!!!

Novemember 18, 19 and 20, 2010

Alton Middle School Auditorium

7:00 PM

Tickets: Adults-$8.00

Students-$5.00

Doors open at 6:30...tickets are available at the door!

Illinois House putting up plexiglass!

2010-11-07T18:53:00.002-06:00

Willy Wonka, JR is almost here!

2010-11-07T18:49:00.000-06:00

Performances for Willy Wonka, JR are almost here! Performances will be presented on November 18, 19 and 20th at 7:00 pm in the Main auditorium. Tickets will be $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and will be sold at the door. Reserved seating is not possible due to the fact that the seats in the auditorium are not numbered correctly so...first come...first served and the doors will open at 6:30 for the public. Cast and crew should arrive at 5:00 pm on performance nights. These last two weeks will be a little hectic for all of us, but in spite of that I know we will have a great time!

Seventh grade classes are just finishing their ABA compositions in Music Technology and will begin their second project this week. Eighth graders are working on making a real commercial! Sixth graders are getting ready to start PowerPoint in computers and are perfecting their songs for our upcoming concert in Sixth Grade Chorus. Our performance shirts are ordered and will be in soon.

October 13, 2010

2010-10-13T12:42:00.001-05:00

It's October...already! This year is just flying by! Here is what is going on in the world of Kanyo!

Music Technology
All classes are working on writing a Scary Story and then creating an Acid Pro piece to go with it. I think we are going to hear some pretty scary sounds! Also, we are on Lesson 14 in Music Ace and have learned a new piece in C major on the piano. Parents...if you have a piano at home, ask your student to play for you! Seventh Grade students are getting ready to leave this class and will start a new UA on October 18th.

Sixth Grade Computers
We are trying hard to type without looking at our fingers! It is a real challenge for some of us and typing grades have not been all that great. Remember, you can practice at home by using the links on this site! Don't peek! We are learning more and more about Microsoft Word and have done several projects using functions we have learned. We wrote a paragraph about a Hispanic person, place or thing and have inserted a picture of our subject.

Sixth Grade Chorus
We are practicing very hard for our Christmas concert which will be held on December 13! Almost everyone has turned in their contract and has purchased a shirt. We are learning the scale and sight singing every day.

Willy Wonka, JR.
Our cast is hard at work and doing well! Please keep checking those rehearsal schedules and do your best to be here when called. Too many misses and we will have to take you out of the show and no one wants that! All cast members should have their lines memorized by October 18th.

ATTENTION PARENTS!!! PLEASE VISIT YOUR UNIFIED ARTS TEACHERS DURING PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES! WE WANT TO MEET YOU!!!!

September!

2010-09-07T20:14:00.000-05:00

Classes are in full swing and things are going great. Progress reports will soon be coming home. It's hard to believe we are already this far along! Here is what is going on:

7th and 8th grade Music Technology classes are practicing their third song on the piano. So far, everyone is doing a good job! MT students are also learning about note names on the piano and keeping the beat in Music Ace. In Acid Pro the students are working on their second composition. The first ones were wonderful!

6th grade Computer classes are learning how to type without looking at their fingers. It is really hard, but we work on it during every class. The students are also learning about Microsoft Word and can insert and manipulate a picture. We are starting to learn the parts of the computer as well.

6th grade Chorus is learning how to sing vowels, use proper breathing techniques and are practicing sight singing. The students have a contract that is due on September 24. All chorus students will need to purchase a red choir shirt and will also need to have black pants or skirts in time for our December concert. All the information concerning the shirts is in the contract. Hopefully all choir students took this contract home!

Willy Wonka auditions are over and the cast list is up! Congratulations to all who auditioned and if you did not make it...please do not feel bad!! Keep trying!!! Every audition is a learning experience! Thank you to all! We will have our first rehearsal on September 9 from 3:30-5:30 and rehearsal calendars will be sent out at that time.

Till next time.....

Glad to be back!

2010-08-18T17:19:00.000-05:00

Here we go! A new school year is always so exciting! Things that are new: A. 7th graders will have Unified Arts classes for a quarter instead of a semester. This will give those students a "taste" of every UA class. Then, next year, as 8th graders, they will be able to choose the two UA classes they like the most. I am looking forward to getting to know more 7th graders! B. We have light in the auditorium! The windows have been uncovered and replaced. I don't know how this will work with show lighting during the daytime, but we'll see. C. "Willy Wonka, JR" auditions are coming soon...stay tuned! D. New projectors are going up and my room will have one soon..yippee!

So...those of you who have me this quarter/semester for Music Tech or 6th Grade Computers, you will need to have your contract turned in by August 27. This counts as a major test and is worth 100 points. I would LOVE for you to bring in hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes for our class. We want to put clean hands on the keyboards. Sixth Grade Chorus students...get ready to walk. We are learning how to stand on risers, how to walk on risers and how to behave during concerts. If you would like to add or drop chorus, you will need to bring a note from your caregiver stating your desire to add or drop.

Have a good school year!

Happy Summer!

2010-06-25T13:09:00.000-05:00

I hope you are having an outstanding summer! We have been on a houseboat trip which was fabulous! I am now taking some classes in technology which have been really informative. Hopefully I will have some fresh ideas to share with you when school starts. We are going to the Smokey Mountains after the Fourth and then will take one more week in Branson at the beginning of August.

So...are you practicing your typing skills former 6th graders??? And how about you...music techies...have you found somewhere to compose on the web? Try downloading the free version of Acid Pro. We have Acid Pro 6.0 and the new version is 7.0 so try that.

I am looking forward to seeing you 7th and 8th graders when school starts and anxious to meet you new 6th graders!

Blessings,
Mrs. Kanyo

Music Technology 2010

2010-05-17T22:49:00.000-05:00

School is almost over!

2010-05-17T12:54:00.000-05:00

It is so hard to believe that I haven't written since April 8th...time is flying by and school is almost over! Here is what is going on right now:

Music Technology:
Students are making a PowerPoint about their life and composing music in Acid Pro to go with it. They should bring home a CD with all the music they have composed all semester. Parents, ask your Music Tech student to let you hear it...they are fabulous!

Sixth Grade Computers:
Students are finishing up learning all about PowerPoint. They made a presentation about an animal that they researched, drew the animal in Paint, and inserted pictures and their drawing into PowerPoint. Their last project will be to make a PowerPoint to welcome next year's 6th grade class. Parents, encourage your students to keep up their typing skills over the summer by going to the links to the left of this blog.

Sixth Grade Chorus:
We had a wonderful concert! Now we are watching "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" to prepare for Fall auditions for the AMS production of the same musical. Auditions for next year's Honor Choir will be held this week during class. If your child does or does not wish to be in Chorus next year, please let us know by note or email ASAP.

Willy Wonka JR:
If you want to be prepared for the auditions in the Fall, go to broadwayjr.com and click on "Willy Wonka, Jr". Follow the cues to "Audition Central" where you will find printed music and script readings to practice. The first meeting for the musical will be August 27. The first round of auditions will be August 31, call backs will be September 1 and the first rehearsal is September 7. For the first audition you should prepare a short song that you can sing all by yourself...no piano or CD to help you. You can sign up for this audition at the meeting on August 27.

Spring Break Is OVER!

2010-04-08T13:32:00.000-05:00

We are slowly getting back into the swing of things. I think this break was harder to come back from than Christmas Break! It must be because of the great weather we have been experiencing. So what did you do on your Spring Break? We went to Springfield, MO and helped out my Mom. We came back on Wednesday of break and worked int he yard, attended church events and relaxed. So, now it's back to work and making the rest of the school year count.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

We are beginning a new project called "Making a Commercial". Students pick a product they like to use and do a bit a research on it. They then write a script, record their vocals in Acid Pro and add sounds. They can also ask friends to record with them. They are hilarious! We are also playing our first piano piece using notes written on the staff.

SIXTH GRADE COMPUTERS

We will soon begin PowePoint and will do some research on a favorite animal and do a PowerPoint about it. the students also made a picture of their computers using "Paint". Some of the pictures were wonderful! And, yes, we are still practicing typing using All the Right Type.

SIXTH GRADE CHORUS

Our concert is May 10th! We have learned all the music and are now working on movements to go with the songs. We look forward to seeing all you parents at our concert!

Be sure to see the AHS musical "Aida" which will be presented on April 29, 30 and May 2. This is a production written by Elton John and Tim Rice...not to be missed!

The AMS musical will be presented in November 2010 and will be...wait for it..."Willy Wonka, JR"!!!!! We will have a meeting before the end of school to announce how to prepare for auditions!

Fireflies

2010-03-18T22:38:00.001-05:00

Another great video! Enjoy!

End of the Quarter!

2010-03-12T10:38:00.000-06:00

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Music tech students are now on Session 16 in Music Ace. This lesson checked up on our listening skills! Students had to listen to a melody and decide which direction the melody was moving. We also learned our second song in 3/4 time on the piano. Most students know where the middle C position is by now. In Acid Pro students have finished their Ethnic Projects and learned how to insert a MIDI recording into their compositions. In other words, they can play the piano and record that into a composition. They also learned how to add a sound effect to any loop. Their new project is to write a scary story and then set it to music using their voice in this composition. All classes are doing very well!
SIXTH GRADE COMPUTERS
The students have been working on in All the Right Type. We are using keyboard covers which keeps students from looking at their hands while they type. It is really hard! Remember, there are sites on this blog where students can practice at home! We finished making trading cards in Publisher that featured a famous black American and we have made beautiful pieces of art in Paint. We are now learning how to use Word Art and will soon have a test on all the icons in Microsoft Word. Students will need to know what all the icons mean on the Standard toolbar, the Drawing toolbar and the Formatting toolbar. We also spent a class period talking about Internet safety!
SIXTH GRADE CHORUS
We have almost learned all of our concert songs and will soon start learning dance moves to go along with some of the songs. We are also doing a FUNDRAISER right now! Order forms and money will need to be turned in on March 17. The money earned from this fundraiser will help us buy sheet music and provide seed money for our fall musical. The products are really great, so encourage your friends to support us!

Black History Month

2010-02-18T13:23:00.000-06:00

Hello! We have been busy as usual in all classes. Here is what we are doing!

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY:
We read articles about music from Thailand and Morocco! We also listened to examples of music from those countries and a few others using iTunes. We then learned how to record our keyboard sounds into an Acid Pro project. This is called "Insert Midi". When this option is chosen, a wide variety of keyboard sounds can be used. Many are samples of music from other countries. So the assignment is to create a one minute piece that sounds like it comes from another country and insert at least one MIDI track. Students are on Session 12 in Music Ace and were graded on the piano piece "Express Train". They are practicing a new piece called "Our Monkey Bars"!
SIXTH GRADE COMPUTERS:
We are learning how to use Microsoft Office Publisher this week. We researched a famous black person and created a Word document with the facts we found on the Internet. Then we opened Publisher and created trading cards with the famous person on one side and the facts on the other side. We learned how to insert borders, colors and pictures into a Publisher document! We are finishing Lesson 6 in All the Right Type and should be finishing tests 2A-2F.
SIXTH GRADE CHORUS:
We took a test on the F scale this week. Students needed to know the letter names of the notes, the scale degrees, and the solfeggio syllables for each note. They also had to draw on notes on the correct lines and spaces for several measures of music. We had been rehearsing "The Wizard of Oz" medley, "I Want You Back/ABC", and "Steppin' Out With My Baby". We have started combining with the Annex choir and walk over to their rehearsal area when the weather permits. It is so important that each Chorus member be at rehearsals! Participation points are lost whenever a student is gone for any reason. We move fast and work hard so every rehearsal is important. We will add movement to many of the songs we are learning!

If you have any questions about any class...be sure to email me or call!

I'm Back!

2010-02-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

Check out the slide show from IMEA. You will see the convention center in Peoria, Mrs. MeCaskey and I presenting information about Music Technology to other Music Technology teachers, our dinner out, and some of the AHS All State Music students. We had a good time, learned some new things and enjoyed seeing old friends.

Music Tech...We are doing a lesson in Music Alive this week...comparing from 1969 to today's music. Music Ace assignment is Session 10 and 11, Acid Pro assignment is to finish your second project and I will listen to your piano piece, "Caterpillar Crawl" this week.

Sixth Grade Computers...All the Right Type assignment is Lesson 4. You should have finished tests 1 A, B, and C by now. You are doing great with the key guards! Also, we will finish our Name Poems and our MKL web-search this week.

Sixth Grade Chorus...you are auditioning for solos in the "Wizard of Oz" in addition to meeting with the Annex group and learning new songs with them.

All students will see the first Black History assembly during UA classes on Friday, Feb. 5.Good luck to all participants!

I'm In Peoria!

2010-01-28T10:22:00.000-06:00

Hey Techies! I'm in Peoria and you have a sub Thursday and Friday. Mrs. MeCaskey and I are going to present what we do with our students in Music Technology to a group of Music teachers! I will be talking about you! I have some pictures of you and video I plan to show and may post the video on YouTube so check it out after the weekend.

Music Tech...keep working on your Second Project. I am very excited about some of the projects I saw you working on in class Monday and Tuesday. Practice your piano piece "Caterpillar Crawl" and finish Session 8 and 9 in Music Ace.

Sixth Grade Computers...keep working on your Name Poems and practicing your typing skills.

Sixth Grade Chorus...Ms. Sharpe will lead you! Be good! There is a sign outside my door as to who is to come to Chorus for Thursday and Friday.

Have a great weekend!!!

January 19, 2010

2010-01-21T08:59:00.000-06:00

Music Technology
These classes have learned two piano pieces and are playing in C Major. They have completed 7 sessions in Music Ace and have composed a piece in Acid Pro called "ABA". Mainly they have learned how to work the programs and have learned some about the form of music. Next week we will play the latest piano piece for a grade and will begin the second Acid Pro project which is called "My Own Music". The students will compose a two minute piece in Acid Pro using bass guitar, drums and melodic loops. Hopefully, they will compose something in the style of music they listen to and like. There are still some students who have not turned in their contract. This was worth 100 points. The points diminish the later the contract is turned in.

Sixth Grade Computers
These students are learning how to type without looking at their hands! It is a HUGE challenge. Thanks to David Jacks, one of our computer instructors who received a grant, we have keyboard covers which prevent the students from looking at the keys. So they have to keep their hands in the correct position, keep their eyes on the screen and try to type 15 words per minute without any errors! Whew!!! We also are learning how to make a document in Microsoft Word. We are working on a Web Scavenger Hunt about Martin Luther King, so the students are learning how to go back and forth between the Internet site and their document. They have also learned how to copy and paste text and pictures. There are still some students who have not turned in their contract. This was worth 100 points. The points diminish the later the contract is turned in.

Sixth Grade Chorus
We are now working on sight singing every day! It's hard, but once they get it, they are very proud of what they can do...read music! We are also working on a medley from "The Wizard of Oz" which we will perform at our Spring Concert on May 10. Ms. Sharpe is directing this piece and is working with them every day.We are off to a great start!

Tribute to Michael Jackson 7 voices from same guy AMAZING

2010-01-11T13:05:00.001-06:00

A New Year! A New Semester!

2010-01-04T18:19:00.000-06:00

January 4, 2010
We began a new semester today and so I have six classes of new students. Here is what's going on:
Music Technology
Students in Music Tech have a contract that needs to be signed and turned in by next Monday, January 11, 2010. This contract is worth 100 points if turned in on time. This week, we will begin to learn how to use Music Ace, a music theory program, and will begin to learn how to play the piano using keyboards that are provided at each station.
Sixth Grade Computers
Students also have a contract that needs to be signed as is worth 100 points if turned in by January 11, 2010. This week we will begin to learn how to log in and out and we will begin working on All The Right Type, a software program that teaches students to be better at typing.
Sixth Grade Chorus
Some students have added Chorus to their school day and others have dropped. New students need to complete a contract and order a Chorus shirt to wear for concerts. All information has been given to all new students. We also have new folders! They are professional and are engraved "Alton Middle School Sixth Grade Chorus"on the front. We are continuing to work on sight singing and will be working on a medley of songs from "The Wizard of Oz." Students who wish to add or drop Chorus have until January 15, 2010 to do so. We will need a note or phone call from a parent or guardian to add or drop Chorus.

We are off to a great start to 2010! If parents have any questions, be sure to call or email. The information is on this page.

We can always use Clorox Wipes!! Donations are greatly appreciated!

2009-12-21T20:27:00.000-06:00

Wow! The past few weeks have been so full and busy! Whew! So here is what has been going on...

Music Technology...all students have completed a PowerPoint about their lives and have composed music in Acid Pro to add to it. They were all really good! Then, most students were able to burn a CD of all of their compositions from the semester. Ask to hear them! This is the end of the semester so I will say goodbye to these students and will have new students when we come back after Christmas break. I will miss these classes! We have had a great time!

Sixth Grade Computers...many students have completed All the Right Type and have improved their typing skills this semester. We also did several PowerPoint presentations to end the semester. These students will also be leaving computers and will have art next semester. To keep their typing skills fresh, students can click on the links I have on this site and go to typing sites. They will have typing again next year. Once again, I will miss these classes and wish them well as they discover art!

Sixth Grade Chorus...had a wonderful concert on December 16th! We were all very proud of them. We intend to sing for the Sixth Grade Sing A Long on Tuesday the 22nd and all Chorus students should wear their red shirts to sing. We will sing around 2:15 or so. If your child did not attend the concert and was at school the day of the concert, they will receive a zero as a major test grade. They can make this up by writing a two page paper on any musical subject. They need to get this to me by the 22nd as this is the end of the semester. Also, all students who missed the concert and were at school the day of the concert will be dropped from Chorus UNLESS I receive a note from a parent stating they want to stay in the group. Notes were sent home concerning this at the beginning of the semester and an additional note went home today. Lab Choir students were picked today as well and notes were sent home with those who were selected. The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, January 5 at 7:15 AM in the Annex Choir room. Congratulations to the 13 students who were selected from the Illinois House!!

GUYS AND DOLLS, JR SHIRTS ARE HERE!!! If you ordered one, please come by my room (Main 103) and pick them up!

Have a wonderful holiday and a very Merry Christmas!!!!

December 7, 2009

2009-12-07T11:56:00.000-06:00

Music Technology...These classes are finishing up their commercials and have started working on a PowerPoint about their lives. They will compose music in Acid Pro to go with these Power Points and then we will put them together. Their final project will be to burn all of their music onto a CD which I hope they will share with their families. Every student has been very creative this semester!
Sixth Grade Computers...Sixth graders have been busy trying to finish All the Right Type, our program to learn how to type correctly and accurately. In addition, they are making Power Points about their lives and another PowerPoint that would introduce Fifth graders to AMS. Some of these are just too cute!
Sixth Grade Chorus...We have a concert December 16th at 7:00 PM. Those who have not received Chorus shirt should have them before the concert. We had a little glitch in ordering, but they are on order now. Students who wish to add or drop Chorus should bring in a note before Christmas vacation. the new semester begins when we return!
Guys and Dolls Cast Members...Look in Dec. 7th's Alton Telegraph "Sound Off" section to see a very nice comment about our show. Also, shirts, pictures and DVDs are in the process of being made. I feel sure they will be here soon. Listen to the announcements or watch this space for info regarding when to pick up your items! I miss working with you! Don't you miss being together and rehearsing? It was a great show!

2009-11-29T20:48:00.000-06:00

Here is a funny picture of our dog, Alice, taken on Thanksgiving Day. She has a leaf stuck to her beard. We all got a big laugh watching her trying to get it off! We had a nice time together with family, now it's back to school and there is a lot to do there! First thing is finishing up "Guys and Dolls, JR" business like ordering the hoodies and shirts and making sure the loose ends are taken care of. Thank you to all fifth grade students who attended our in school performance and all AMS students who attended as well. You were all very well behaved and polite. Hope you all enjoyed the performances and had a great Thanksgiving!

November 16-20 and beyond!

2009-11-20T10:46:00.000-06:00

Music Technology...we have been making commercials this week and learning some new techniques in Acid Pro. We also learned a new piano piece "Circus Fun!" and are trudging on in Music Ace.

Sixth Grade Computers...we began PowerPoint this week! They made a three slide presentation about their interests. We plan to learn about transitions and backgrounds next week. And, as always, we trudge on in All the Right Type.

Sixth Grade Chorus...we got together with the Annex half of the chorus this week and we are sounding good. Our concert is December 16th which will be here before we know it.

Guys and Dolls, JR...we had our first evening performance last night and it was fabulous! Congratulations to the cast, crew, director Wendy and tech director Derrick. Big thanks to Mrs. Melissa Sharpe Cole for her backstage help. we will perform for the students of AMS and the district fifth graders next week. All cast members should be here by 7:30 am on Monday and Tuesday!

Have a great weekend!

November 9-13

2009-11-09T10:36:00.000-06:00

Music Technology

This week we are focusing on getting our lessons Music Ace caught up. We are in the midst of listening to our Scary movie projects and they are SCARY!!!! Our next project will be to write a commercial for a product of the student's choice and then record a 60 second commercial for it. And we have a piano piece to learn this week as well.

Sixth Grade Computers

We will take our final test in Microsoft Word this week. We will then begin PowerPoint! We are still working on typing skills in All the Right Type. Those who have finished the program are working on typing website or Tux Typing.

Sixth Grade Chorus

We had a singing test last week. We sang up and down a major scale using the solfege hand signals, sang a triad up and down and a minor scale up and down as well. We are still working on our Christmas concert songs. We are walking over to the Annex to combine with the Sixth Grade Chorus over there and they will join us in the Main as well. We listened to some of our Spring music to get an idea of what to look forward to. We are sounding great!

Guys and Dolls, JR

We are in the last TWO weeks of rehearsals. All cast members should be here every day after school.

Be sure to come see our musical! November 19 and 20 at 7:00 PM in the Main Auditorium! It is not to be missed! We have many students working hard on and off stage to make this a wonderful production!

October 26-30

2009-10-29T10:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween!

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY classes have been working on their "Scary Movie" project again this week. They are writing scary stories and then will put scary music with the stories in Acid Pro. We re-learned how to add effects to our sound tracks AND how to input our voices in to our projects. We also trudged on in Music Ace, learning about music theory and learned a new song on the piano called "Bike Ride".

SIXTH GRADE COMPUTERS have a new game to play which teaches typing, it's called "Tux Type" and we have been having fun with it during free time. Our classroom received a grant from DonorsChoose and we bought a video camera, case, and external microphone to videotape school events and projects. Funding came from the US Cellular company, so computer classes wrote "thank you" letters to them for their generosity. I hope you parents saw your child's "Halloween Word Find". They were wonderful.

SIXTH GRADE CHORUS is working on two new songs for our December 16th concert. Our rehearsals continue to sound wonderful! Congratulations to Miss Sharpe! She was married on October 23 and is now Mrs. Cole!

"GUYS AND DOLLS" rehearsals will include more full cast calls. Be sure to CHECK YOUR REHEARSAL CALENDARS!!!!! Performance dates are November 19 and 20 at 7:00 PM. Tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for students. Invite everyone you know! Info about costumes will be coming home soon. Set work is begining next week. ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN TECH CREW need to come to a meeting on November 3 after school in the Main Band Room.

INTERNET SAFETY PRESENTATION!!! There will be a presentation concerning internet safety on November 5 at 7:00 in the Main auditorium. All parents are urged to come to this presentation. You would be surprised at what your child can do with the internet. Come and learn!

Happy birthday to my son, Derrick Davault on Oct. 30, to me on Nov. 5, and my husband, Jim, on Nov. 12!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Kanyo

October 12-16, 2009

2009-10-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

We've had another great week in the computer lab!

Music Technology classes listened to each other's Hispanic Music projects in observance of Hispanic Heritage month. We also worked on Music Ace and all students were graded on the piano piece for the week: "Our Monkey Bars". We learned about 3/4 time so we could play our next piece "Backyard Bell". We also wrote scary stories to prepare for our next Acid Pro project, "Scary Movie". Next week, we will spend some time on Internet safety and learn some new techniques in Acid Pro.

Sixth Grade computer classes started their "Halloween Word Find" project and learned how to insert a header and footer, how to insert a table, and how to create a background. This is a fun project and the results should be great. I hope to have them print these so they can take them home! We also continued to work on All the Right Type. The goal for this week was Lesson 8.

Sixth Grade Chorus combined with the Annex 6th grade chorus this week and the sound was amazing! We will have a singing test sometime during the next two weeks. We did some rearranging on the risers which has made for a better blend.

"Guys and Dolls" rehearsals are going well. We have been measured for costumes! A letter will be sent home concerning costs for costumes. Please make sure you are checking rehearsal schedules as we still have some missing actors! Those interested in Tech Crew will be called to a meeting soon. Please listen to the daily announcements for the meeting date. As soon as the Tech crew is chosen, we will be order sweatshirts and T-shirts for the cast and crew!

I hope to see many parents during Parent Teacher conferences this week! Please stop Main 103 by and say hello!

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Kanyo

This week in the computer lab!

2009-10-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

We are really humming along in Music Technology! Since it is Hispanic Heritage month, the students have listened to an example of Hispanic music and are composing a one minute piece using Hispanic sounding loops. Later this week, we will use "Music Alive" magazines to learn about Woodstock and how music hasn't changed as much as they think since those days.

In Sixth Grade computers we have made a Name Poem and a Name Collage in Microsoft Word and are working on Lesson 7 in All the Right Type. We have several students who have finished the entire program! Congratulations! We are preparing for a Microsoft Word test by following directions on a sheet called "A Dolphin's Habitat". Our next project will be to make a Halloween Word Find in Microsoft Word.

"Guys and Dolls" rehearsals are going well. Please try to make it to the rehearsals you are called for. We have been missing several people at rehearsals lately and each one is important!

That's all for now! Have a great week!

The Wonderful World Of Technology!

2009-09-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

This week we are listening to our Second Projects in Music Technology! Using Visions, one student project is put up on everyone's screen and we listen to the project using our headphones. It has been so interesting hearing how the sound loops in Acid Pro are used in so many different ways. We also learned a new song on the piano called "The Express Train" in addition to working on Music Ace.

In Sixth Grade Computers we are working on Lesson Five in All the Right Type and making a Name Poem using Microsoft Word. We are learning how to make letters large and bold. We are also inserting pictures and saving our documents.

Progress reports came home last Friday. If you are behind in things, I promise your grade will improve when your work is finished!

"Guys and Dolls" rehearsals moved to the stage this week. Be sure to check your schedules or the weekly calendars to see if you are supposed to be at rehearsals!

Enjoy the week!

September 8-11

2009-09-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

Lots going on this week!

Music Tech classes finished their ABA projects, worked on Music Ace, lessons 7-9 and learned a new piano piece called "Stepping Up and Down". Their projects are very creative and I have enjoyed listening to them. If I figure out a way to do it, I will try to post some of them on this blog!

Sixth grade computer classes finished a worksheet on computer parts and functions and have begun to use Microsoft Word. We have learned how to cut, paste, copy, how to change fonts and colors. They are working on All the Right Type as well and should have finished Test 1A, B, and C by now.

Sixth Grade Chorus is learning a piece in Latin called "Gratias Deo". We will have a quiz next week on steps of the C major scale using solfedge (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti do). We went to the Annex one day this week to join with the Sixth Grade Choir there. Shirt orders and contracts are due tomorrow...Friday and are worth 100 points. Be sure you have yours in!

"Guys and Dolls" rehearsals have begun! Schedules were handed out at the first rehearsal. The schedule is always on the weekly calendar and posted outside my room.

Hope your week is going well!

It's Friday!

2009-08-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well, we made it through our first full week!

Music Tech students are learning how to play "Lamb at School" on the piano in addition to learning music theory on a program called Music Ace. They also began learning the software program called Acid Pro. This is a very exciting program where students can compose songs using sound loops. We learned how to access the loops and how to put them into a project. We will start our first official project next week.

Sixth Grade computer classes are learning how to type the correct way using All the Right Type. We also went to a website that showed us how computers work. We will be doing a worksheet on this next week.

Sixth Grade Chorus is doing great! We are getting to know each other and learning how to breathe for singing. This was the last week to add or drop Band/Orchestra or Chorus.

All classes have been given contracts to be signed by parents. These are worth 100 points and count as a major test. These contracts are due MONDAY!!!!

We can ALWAYS use Clorox wipes or hand sanitizer. Extra credit is given to students who bring in these items.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

Technology!

2009-08-27T14:03:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know how to spell technology! I got in a hurry and typed too fast!

New Year!

2009-08-27T13:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new year in Music Tecnology, Sixth Grade Computers and Sixth Grade Chorus! Auditions for our fall musical "Guys and Dolls" are going on now. Please come see me in the Main, room 103, for information.

More later...check back!