Shelburne Community School
Unified Arts K-3 Music News
Teacher: Diana Burritt

On February 22, 2000, 18 students from the Early Morning Music Enrichment Group broadcast a live television show, The Life and Music of Beethoven.  Working with RETN (Regional Educational Television Network) this was possible.  We were joined by music classes from Hinesburg Elementary and Charlotte Elementary Schools via telephone

The Early Morning MusicEnrichment Group was started approximately 3 1/2 years ago, when several students wished to continue to work on music projects in addition to the scheduled class. Our group has grown from 3 to over 30 students over this time, and is open to students in grades 1-8. We meet two times a week, before school. All students must come with a goal. In November, a group of students had the goal of producing a television show on Beethoven. As a result of working with RETN in the past, I knew this goal could be accomplished. Twenty first through fifth grade students picked topics, and using books, cassettes, and the Internet began their research. Each student has a role: as researcher or reporter. Working together, they typed their reports and practiced, finding additional time during their lunch/recess time to come in. Two students wanted the role of cameramen, and came in during music classes to learn how to use the video camera.

We began with some "Pop-up" facts  about Beethoven, and then gave Hinesburg and Charlotte students time to ask our "experts" questions.

Our next section included reports on Beethoven, and included:
   1.  A Timeline of Beethoven's Life
    2.  How Ludwig was treated by his Dad
   3.  His deafness, and how he compensated for it
   4.  Recent research about a lock of Beethoven's hair

Our program also included two performances by students. A fifth grader played, Fur Elise, and a first grader, Ode to Joy.

Mrs. Burritt gave some background on Ode to Joy, and then we watched the Charlotte students sing it. (Previously recorded)  Hinesburg and Shelburne students sang the ABC Song to the same tune!  These words were given to me, without the name of the author to them.  If you know who wrote them, please let me know, so that I may give them credit.

 A, B, C'S

Let me sing my A, B, C's as Beethoven has taught me,
A, B, C, D, E, F, G-,
H, I ,J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Q, R, S, T, U and V-,
W, and X, Y, Z.
Now I know my A, B, C's,
Next time won't you sing with me?

We look forward to our next interactive program between the schools in the Chittenden South Supervisory Union.

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Home Page maintained by Diana Burritt
dburritt@scsvt.org
Last updated: July 18, 2003