Earth Day/Arbor Day 2014

Students sing opening song "Earthlings, Unite!"

Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration

Every year our school holds an Earth Day celebration.  This year it coincided with Arbor Day.  Our school celebration is a combined effort from both our science and music departments.  Since I teach at an environmental science magnet school, Earth Day is a big deal!

Currently, California is experiencing serious drought conditions so we’ve been learning lots of water conservation methods.  Ironically Mother Nature sent some rain on the day of our celebration, so for the first time in many, many years we celebrated indoors.  Besides parents as well as current and retired teachers, we had our district superintendent, city council members, representatives from our local water company, and volunteers from “Our City Forest” on hand for the celebration.

Songs students performed this year were:

• “Earthlings, Unite!” by Teresa Jennings
• “Song of One” from the Silver Burdett Making Music curriculum for Grade 3
• “What Do You Do With a Water Waster?” Adapted; Arranged by Teresa & Paul Jennings; Adapted by Andrea Fennern & Monica Ulrich
• “Agents of Change” by Teresa Jennings with bucket drumming composed by Monica Ulrich
• “La La Tree Rap” by Andrea Fennern (a special composition created especially about the trees in our school’s outdoor classroom)

This was the first time I had created a bucket drumming rhythm that was to be performed for an audience outside of the music room!  Students who were interested in performing for the Earth Day celebration auditioned at lunchtime a couple weeks before the performance. 

5th grade bucket drummers

At our dress rehearsal, we quickly realized how LOUD the buckets were when hit with the drumsticks.  We fixed that easily by placing a mouse pad on the bucket to soften the blow and lessen the noise.  

Once I figure out how to upload a file to the blog, I would be happy to share the audio file I gave to the students on their practice CD as well as a printed document with lyrics and bucket drumming rhythms. Coming soon.... In the meantime, if you want me to email what I've created, feel free to contact me!

Additional pictures from the event can be seen on our district's Facebook page: Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration 2014