Professional school picture of Mr. Smith
Welcome to Mr. Smith's Webpage

Hello! I'm Mr. Smith and I am the music teacher for Southern Local Elementary. This site is meant to be a resource for students to use to stay engaged with music during this unprecedented time in history.

UPDATE MAY 4, 2020: the following activities are for the entire month of May! Check to see if you have new activities. Even though the activities are organized by grade level, feel free to check out other activities in other grades if you think you can complete them.

Mr. Smith's email address is jamesr.smith@southern.k12.oh.us

Let me know how you're doing. Reach out anytime!

activities by grade band

preK-1st Grade

To Students in Mrs. Newburn's Pre-School Class:

Hi, everyone! 👋 I don't know if you knew this, but you were supposed to have music class this season! Even though I can't meet you in person, I'd really like to get to know you. Feel free to send an email and answer these questions:

  • What is your name? How old are you? When is your birthday? What is your favorite color? What has been your favorite part of pre-school so far? Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Do you know any songs? If so, what songs? 
  • Tell me something about your family.
  • If you feel comfortable: send a picture of yourself (or with your family) or a video of you singing a song.
  • Tell me anything else you'd like for me to know about you.

I can't wait to hear from you! Take care, everyone.

Sincerely,

Mr. Smith

fingerplay videos
Here are some videos of one of my favorite people, Dr. Jean. She knows a lot of fingerplays that are fun to learn and then do them with friends and family. Watch the videos and teach yourself one or two ...or three! 
Keep in Touch: email and let me know a few of your favorite fingerplays. If you feel comfortable, send along a picture of you doing one of them or even a video! 
going on a bear hunt

Here are two versions of "Going On a Bear Hunt." This activity is great for echo singing, order of events in a story, movement, fast/slow, and plus its just fun :) Try each one and see which one  you like better. These are fun to do with someone in your house ...including stuffed animals and pets!

Keep in Touch: email and let me know which version you liked better. Feel free to send a video or picture of you acting out your favorite version ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!

activities for just kindergarten and first grade

Teach someone in your house how to say "Engine, Engine" and march around in a line like a train. Here are the words:

Engine, engine, number nine,

Going down Chicago line,

If the train should jump the track,

Do I get my money back?

Yes? No? Maybe so!

Teach someone in your house how to say "Queen Caroline." Pretend to go on a trip through the woods to her castle and go all sorts of ways! You could go fast, slow, loud, or tip-toe (quiet). Here are the words:

 

Queen, Queen Caroline,

Washed her hair in turpentine,

Turpentine to make it shine,

Queen, Queen Caroline?


Keep in Touch: email and let me know if you taught someone "Engine, Engine" or "Queen Caroline." Feel free to send pictures or videos of you and who you taught pretending to be a train or going to visit the queen!

2/3rd Grade

Flashcards, coloring pages, and worksheets were sent home with 2/3rd grade students. These materials correspond to a storybook series I use to teach letter names of the treble clef. Here are some activities you can do to practice each book!

Cover of the book "Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the Night"
listen to "Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the Night" again

Want to hear Freddie the Frog & The Thump in the Night again, or share it with a parent? Click here!

matching game

Play the Thump in the Night Matching Game! Click on the notes that match. The game is finished when all the cards are gone. See how fast you can make your matches!

the secret of crater island
listen to secret of crater island
Want to hear Freddie the Frog & The Secret of Crater Island again, or share it with a parent? Click here!
secret of crater island matching game
Play the Secret of Crater Island Matching Game! Click on the notes that match. The game is finished when all the cards are gone. See how fast you can make your matches!

4th Grade

  • Remember when we did speed quizzes? Well, I found something that you can do to practice your letter names. Click here to practice! Once you're on the webpage, click "Play Note Names" to get started. Remember to use Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge and FACE to help you!
  • Use the videos below to practice what we learned in class. The first video will remind you how to play the song. The second video is just for you to play along with once you know the song well.
  • Keep in Touch:  email and let me know if you were able to play the three songs with the YouTube video. If you had trouble, that's okay ðŸ˜Š  I just want to know you tried ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
videos for the song hot cross buns
videos for the song gently sleep
videos for the song merrily we roll along
videos for the song "It's Raining"

Challenge Time ðŸ’ª 

Can you teach yourself these two songs? Email and let me know how it's going!

old macdonald
composer corner

(these activities are for everyone)

A composer is someone who makes up music. This week's featured composer is...

Keep in Touch:  email and let me know if you listened to the stories again and if you shared them with someone in your house. Also let me know if you played the games. Feel free to send pictures or videos of you doing the game or sharing the story  ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
information about Mozart
picture of Mozart
  • One of the most well known composers of all time was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but most people just call him Mozart. Click here to learn a little bit about Mozart and hear some of his music.
  • Keep in Touch:  email and tell me about something you thought was neat about Mozart and which piece of music you liked best  ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
ludwig van beethoven
picture of ludwig van beethoven
  • Click here to learn a little bit about Beethoven and hear some of his music.
  • Keep in Touch:  email and tell me about something you thought was neat about Beethoven and which piece of music you liked best  ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
claude debussy
picture of claude debusy
  • Click here to learn a little bit about Debussy and hear some of his music.
  • Keep in Touch:  email and tell me about something you thought was neat about Debussy and which piece of music you liked best  ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
johann sebastian bach
picture of johann sebastian bach
  • Click here to learn a little bit about Bach and hear some of his music.
  • Keep in Touch:  email and tell me about something you thought was neat about Bach and which piece of music you liked best  ...or join the hangout for your grade and tell me there!
hey parents

Hey parents 👋 Ever wonder what a music class at Southern Local looks like? Well, here is an example! While this video isn't of me or our students, it is a fantastic example what a Kodály-inspired music lesson looks like. I hope you enjoy!