Hello and welcome to my school website! My name is April Blacker. This is my 20th year of teaching and my 7th year in the Urbana School District. I currently teach elementary general music (K-5) at Leal elementary school in Urbana, IL. I have previously taught middle school general music and choir at Franklin and Jefferson middle schools in Champaign, IL as well as elementary general music at North Ward Elementary in Tuscola, IL and Yankee Ridge in Urbana, IL. I have a bachelors and masters degree in music education from the University of Illinois. In addition to teaching, I am involved in musical theater in the community when my family schedule allows as well as singing in my church.
My classes are taught using an Education Through Music philosophy where students learn by singing and playing a variety of song experience games that promote literacy both in music and reading as well as focusing on social and emotional skills that help to stabilize students and get them ready to learn. In addition every grade level will be introduced to various Musicians of the Month as we progress through the year. We learn a bit about the history of each musician, some interesting facts, and listen to several pieces of their music. How in depth we go with each musician is dictated by the age of the students. So, while the kindergarteners will learn their names and a couple of quick facts, 4th and 5th graders are taking notes and doing in-depth analysis of one of their musical works. For more detailed information about the curriculum followed at each grade level, click on the school tab above.
If you have any questions about what your child is learning or how they are doing in my class, please email me at [email protected]
My classes are taught using an Education Through Music philosophy where students learn by singing and playing a variety of song experience games that promote literacy both in music and reading as well as focusing on social and emotional skills that help to stabilize students and get them ready to learn. In addition every grade level will be introduced to various Musicians of the Month as we progress through the year. We learn a bit about the history of each musician, some interesting facts, and listen to several pieces of their music. How in depth we go with each musician is dictated by the age of the students. So, while the kindergarteners will learn their names and a couple of quick facts, 4th and 5th graders are taking notes and doing in-depth analysis of one of their musical works. For more detailed information about the curriculum followed at each grade level, click on the school tab above.
If you have any questions about what your child is learning or how they are doing in my class, please email me at [email protected]