Going To The Zoo With Mrs. Dickhut
I recently visited Mrs. Kunkel's class as they went to see Mrs. Dickhut for music. It is standard practice for my Website students to visit the Elementary School and take pictures, but Mrs. Dickhut's schedule doesn't start until later in the morning so I had the pleasure of visiting the music room. She started out the class by introducing them to a famous composer and trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie. She showed a short video to the children and pointed out his unusual trumpet as well as his out of the ordinary style of playing the trumpet. She taught them a new song by reading and singing "Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone". She would sing a phrase and the children would repeat. Then the real fun began when Mrs. Dickhut took to the piano and the kids began to sing. Song after song, she had the children on the edge of their seats, singing and making gestures for each animal as they sang a song about going to the zoo.
Mr. Tynan then stepped in and started by reviewing songs including "Itsy Bitsy Spider". He then introduced the classic "Mares Eats Oats and Does Eats Oats and Little Lambs Eat Ivy". The students agreed that there were a lot of words! Mr. Tynan took it very slowly and had the students repeat each phrase and I'm sure they'll have it down in no time.
Story by Kris McCaskill
Photos by Kris McCaskill