Happy 200th birthday, Star-Spangled Banner!

One of the first things the entire school learned about in music class this year (after the "gotta-dos" - rules and procedures, the like) was the fact that today (September 14, 2014) is the 200 year anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner" being written!

For more facts about the National Anthem, check out this SSB blog post.

The older students watched the video from the Fort McHenry visitor center to gain a greater understanding of the events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

They also learned about the exact flag it was written about. With 15 stars and 15 stripes, it looks quite different than the flag we're used to seeing today! The remains of the flag from Fort McHenry have lost a bit over the years...originally measuring 30 feet by 42 feet, it is currently only 34 feet long. Between the wind and giving snippets away as gifts over the years, Mary Pickersgill's masterpiece lost 8 feet from its original length.

DRUM CARD OPPORTUNITY: How wide were the stars in this particular flag? Email me the answer. (Hint: Answer can be found using the link in the paragraph above.)

All grades discussed proper National Anthem etiquette (remove hat, stand facing flag, right hand over heart), then practiced singing along to this video.

Welcome!

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Hillcrest music blog! My name is Ms. Galligan, and I also teach at Lannoye Elementary. I'm excited to make music with Hillcrest students!

One of the first ways we made music this year was with a name game. This particular game had a "We Will Rock You" pattern underneath it, and students enjoyed it...especially when it got to the quiz round and I had to test myself on names!

You may also have heard a few of our music rules songs at home. The rules in music class are as follows:
     Make good choices (sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
     Use kind words (sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")
     Show respect to classmates, teacher, and music (sung to the tune of "Hot Cross Buns")
     Involve yourself (sung to the tune of "A Sailor Went to Sea" - you're welcome if it's been in your head)
     Care for our room and instruments (sung to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It")

"A Sailor Went to Sea" seemed to spread like wildfire, especially during free times and on the buses!

Until next time, have a great Eagle day!