🎶 February in Music Class: Celebrating Lunar New Year!
February was an exciting and culturally rich month in our music classroom! Students from 3K through Grade 5 explored the music, language, and traditions of East Asia—with a special focus on songs from China in Mandarin and English.
Each grade engaged with this theme at a level appropriate for their age, learning new melodies, rhythms, and movements that connected music to culture. Our month concluded with a joyful schoolwide concert, where every class proudly performed what they learned.
Here’s a look at our musical journey this month:
🌼 3K – First Steps into Mandarin Music
Our youngest learners were introduced to simple Mandarin greetings and musical phrases through playful songs from China.
- Moved to gentle Chinese folk melodies with scarves and rhythm instruments
- Practiced call‑and‑response phrases in Mandarin
- Learned a bilingual song combining English and Mandarin lyrics
The focus was simply enjoying new sounds and building curiosity about languages.
🌸 Pre-K – Singing, Moving, and Playing
Pre‑K students continued exploring Mandarin music with more structured activities.
- Sang short Mandarin children’s songs with repeating patterns
- Used hand motions and instruments to show beat and melody
- Practiced simple vocabulary like “nǐ hǎo” (hello) through song
They loved hearing music from another culture and sharing it during their performance.
⭐ Kindergarten – Learning Songs from China
Kindergarteners learned to sing Chinese children’s songs in both Mandarin and English, developing confidence with new words and melodies.
- Practiced steady beat patterns inspired by traditional Chinese rhythms
- Learned basic Mandarin phrases within song lyrics
- Used movement to represent melody direction
Their concert piece showcased how well they can sing in two languages!
🎶 Grade 1 – Mandarin Songs & a Korean Hide‑and‑Seek Game
This was a big month for our first graders!
- Learned a Mandarin/English children’s song from China
- Practiced rhythm patterns inspired by traditional Chinese drumming
- Learned a Korean children’s game-song where students sang while playing a musical version of hide‑and‑seek
Their performance showed not only musical skill but also joy and teamwork.
🎵 Grade 2 – Melody, Rhythm, and Chinese Folk Songs
Second graders built on their growing musicianship by studying Chinese folk melodies.
- Learned a Chinese folk song in Mandarin and English
- Practiced rhythmic patterns using drums and xylophones
- Discussed how music reflects culture, tradition, and storytelling
Their concert performance highlighted beautiful singing and strong rhythmic playing.
🎤 Grade 3 – Musical Literacy Through Chinese Songs
Third graders deepened their understanding of melody and form through Chinese children’s and folk music.
- Practiced singing in Mandarin with accurate pitch and phrasing
- Explored pentatonic (five‑note) scales common in Chinese music
- Accompanied their song on classroom instruments
They performed with confidence and musical awareness.
🥁 Grade 4 – Ensemble Playing with Mandarin Music
Fourth graders took on more advanced musical responsibilities this month.
- Learned a Mandarin/English song arranged for multiple instruments
- Practiced ensemble skills—listening, blending, and staying together
- Explored how Chinese traditional instruments influence rhythm and sound
Their concert performance showed real teamwork and musicianship.
🎼 Grade 5 – Cultural Study and Performance Leadership
Fifth graders served as musical leaders this month.
- Studied the cultural background of Chinese folk songs
- Sang in Mandarin and English with attention to tone, phrasing, and dynamics
- Added instrumental accompaniments and helped model performance skills for younger grades
Their polished performance was a highlight of the event!
🎉 A Wonderful February Concert
Every grade shared their learning at our February concert. Students proudly sang in Mandarin and English, showcased rhythms and movements inspired by Chinese and Korean traditions, and demonstrated cultural appreciation through music.
It was a beautiful celebration of learning, diversity, and the joy of making music together.