Music
Mrs. Keller
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Today's Readings
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I began teaching at St. Martin of Tours School in Amityville as a 3rd grade teacher after receiving my B.A. in Child Study from St. Joseph’s University. As a 4th grade teacher, I began the school’s first Recorder Club. I was later appointed as both the music and computer teacher after receiving my M.A. degree in Music from LIU Post, having previously received my M.S. degree in Educational Technology there. Subsequent studies led to certificates in First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege from the Feierabend Association for Music Education whose philosophy encourages students to be “tuneful, beatful and artful.” I enjoy performing on the violin and cello with local community groups including the Sound Symphony and West Islip Symphony orchestras and singing with the Sisters of St. Joseph.
In addition to teaching at St. Martin's, I am also an adjunct professor at St. Joseph's University in Patchogue where I have taught for many years on both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Some of the courses I've taught include math and science methods in the Department of Child Study and a variety of courses in the Department of Math and Computer Science, where I currently teach.
My favorite quote is, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime" which is how I teach students to help each other in class. My favorite book is any "how-to" book related to crafts, cooking and gardening. As for a Bible verse, there are many. This is because many creative composers throughout the ages have set the words of the Bible to glorious music, from Handel's "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" to modern days settings of "My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord." -
Music at SMT
Thank you parents for joining the St. Martin of Tours School community and for your support of our music program! Please read below to find out what is taught in the General Music classroom. Each class has its own Music Google Classroom. Lessons are posted each week. It's a great resource for when a student is absent! The codes needed to join are listed below. If you need to reach me, you can email me at [email protected].
Nursery & Pre-K: We will be engaging in activities which allow us to become "tuneful, beatful and artful" using the First Steps in Music curriculum developed by John Feierabend. Join the Music Google Classroom with code wfgm7fa
Kindergarten & First Grade: In addition to using the First Steps in Music curriculum (see above), we will also be using Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers lessons to learn about music all around the world. Join the Music Google Classroom with the following codes:
Kindergarten: 6p2p2bq
First Grade: lnsa6am
Second Grade: In addition to the Musical Explorer's program (see above), we will be learning to read music and play the bells. Join the Music Google Classroom with code odt7iyi.
Third Grade: The year of the recorder! In addition to movement and singing activities, we will begin learning how to play the recorder. Students will receive a brand new recorder in the middle of the school year which they will use in class. Join the Music Google Classroom with code ylurwv2.
Fourth Grade: The year of the Carnegie Hall Link Up curriculum and the SCMEA PEAK festival! PEAK Nomination Forms have been sent home and one is posted above. This year, students will sing, play the recorder and move as they participate in Carnegie Hall's Link Up: The Orchestra Swings. Field trip in May culminates the learning! Join the Music Google Classroom with the following code: buo7sro
Fifth Grade: We're going back to Carnegie Hall with "Link Up: The Orchestra Rocks!" We will continue our recorder playing adventures, sing, move, dive further into reading notes on the staff and music theory. Join the Music Google Classroom with the following code: 3fzjzil
Sixth Grade: We'll begin a 3-year study of music history beginning with jazz and hip hop. We'll collaborate with our classmates, creating our own songs and have an opportunity to perform them. Since the two classes are essentially one class when it comes to music, students will be assigned one Google Classroom. Join the Music Google Classroom with the following code:
6-1 Ms. Troia: tvl4le6
6-2 Ms. Neri: bkenvsw
Seventh Grade: Both 7th grade classes are scheduled to have music during the same period. We'll continue our study of Western music by studying the composers and music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. We'll collaborate with our classmates and perform for our classmates! Join the Music Google Classroom with the following code: eaoedlv
Eighth Grade: We'll complete our study of Western music by studying the composers and the music of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. There will also be opportunities to work in groups and perform for our classmates! Join the Music Google Classroom with the following code: e2ameum
Extra-curricular: There will be opportunities for students in grades 3-8 to perform by joining the Recorder Club and/or choir. Choir meets Thursdays, 9th period and Recorder Club meets on Thursdays after school until 3:45. Students will have the opportunity to perform at the Winter and Spring concerts as well as the Catholic Schools Week Open House. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the NYSSMA solo festival and SCMEA PEAK and Day of Recorder. Drama Club, Band, Violin, and Ukulele are offered by other teachers/companies.