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4th and 5th grade music partnership

What started as a vision for our students, became a reality this year! Fourth and fifth grade students had the opportunity to learn SOL facts in a new and exciting way - through music. Thanks to Partners in the Arts, these students were engaged in songwriting with our yearlong artist in residence, songwriter Betsy Q.

On the evening of April 13th, 4th and 5th grade students from all three Goochland Elementary Schools gathered in the auditorium of Goochland High School to perform their medley of SOL based songs.  Byrd Elementary School opened the show as Betsy Q. joined them on the stage.  The energy of the evening was electrifying as Byrd sang their songs entitled “Civil Rights”, and “Geometry.” Listen to Byrd’s song, “Civil Rights”.  Listen to Byrd’s song, “Geometry.” (MP3 format)

Randolph Elementary followed the Byrd group, and took the stage and held the same emotional excitement lead by the Byrd group.  Randolph sang “The Civil War” song, followed by “The Native American” song. Listen to Randolph’s “Civil War Song” and their “Native American Song”.  (MP3 format)

The students were able to sit in the auditorium and watch each other perform, which in turn made each choral presenter become more and more passionate about their songs.

Betsy Q. sang and danced along beside each group as they proudly presented the songs, which they had written together.  The whole evening was a historic event leaving the audience inspired, thrilled, and wanting more.

This yearlong process was a tremendous learning experience for our students. The students gathered together with their grade level to create ideas for their songs.  During this time they were able to review many facts about social studies, science, and math. The students were then broken up into small groups to decide what facts they wanted to place in their songs.  The students brought all of their ideas back together to begin the song writing process.  Once a beat was chosen for their song, Betsy Q. then helped the students organize their ideas together to create musical phrases, which in turn became their songs.

The Goochland Elementary group was the last to take the stage singing “Electricity” and “The Thirteen Colonies”!  Each group captured the spirit of excitement and the momentum of the evening just grew and grew.  It was truly a display of children singing straight from their hearts. Listen to Goochland’s “Electricity” and “The Thirteen Colonies.” (MP3 format)

The night showcased the students’ talents, as well as the collaboration between our elementary music teachers, Kim Watts and Amy Holzbach, with the classroom teachers and Betsy Q. We encourage families to enjoy the songs in preparation for the Standards of Learning tests. Music is copyright 2011 by Goochland County Public Schools and Betsy Q and may not be re-distributed.