英语博客(A cup of English):085 Music party.

　　Beginners.
On Mondays, Domini has her music class after her normal preschool curriculum¹. It is an extra class that has been added on to the end of the morning, so children can learn a few things about the world of music. She has enjoyed it immensely this year. There are only a few children in the class, but they are all buddies², and they have certainly learned³ a lot. The teacher, Miss Laura, told us that the last day of class would be party day. Parents were invited to join in the fun and to see what the children had learned during the year. We sat in the sunny playing area of the school while teacher Laura got out all the goodies from her basket: cookies, apple juice, instruments, cards, and colorful scarves. She had everything planned. The children started by parading around, waving the scarves to a certain beat. Then she read a story about a bear which rhymed. Musical notes came next. And finally, the children told us about composers. We finished off the party with juice and cookies while we sat in the sun and chatted. Unfortunately, teacher Laura won't be back next year. I'm sure Domini will miss her.
Grammar notes.
Preterite: to sit (sit, sat, sat), to get (get, got, got)* american = gotten, to tell (tell, told, told).
Exs:
He sat and waited for the train, but when it came, he had fallen asleep.
I finally got the shoes I wanted. I had to wait until the end of the season for them to go on sale.
I told him to be careful with the china. Well, there's another plate in the bin⁴!
Advanced.
My calendar has lots of check marks. They have been put there by my children who are counting the days until the long, long vacation starts. In many schools, teachers are wrapping up their classes and giving parties for the end of term. My daughter, who is still in preschool, had a party the other day. I was lucky enough to attend. It was an unusual party, a music party. She has been doing a music class once a week in her little preschool called Seeds. The curriculum was called Music and Me ABC. Each week the teacher read them stories that had something to do with music. They would move and dance to different types of music, and learn about music symbols, rhythm⁵, and even composers. Sometimes, when I would turn up to pick up my daughter, they would still be finishing up the class. At the end of each class, they sing a "goodbye" song that has a great beat. Each child would be sitting on the floor, cross legged, swaying⁶ to the music, and singing along with the teacher. They would also have a special treat most weeks of being able to take home a percussion⁷ instrument. Great for the kids, - not so great for the parents!
Grammar notes.
Useful vocabulary and phrases: to count the days, curriculum, to turn up, to finish up.
Exs:
I am counting the days until the ballet. I can't wait to see it!
I am not very pleased with the school. It's curriculum is old fashioned and limited.
We were waiting at the restaurant for almost an hour! She turned up as we were leaving!
Please finish up the dessert. It won't keep until tomorrow.

1 curriculum   

n.课程，（学校等的）全部课程

参考例句：

• Is German on your school's curriculum?你们学校有德语课吗？
• The English curriculum should stress both composition and reading.英语课程对作文和阅读应同样重视。

2 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句

3 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。

4 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

5 rhythm   

n.韵律；节奏

参考例句：

• He has an ear for the rhythm of Irish speech.他对爱尔兰语的节奏很敏感。
• His poem has a pleasing rhythm.他的诗有和谐的韵律。

6 swaying   

v.（使）摇摆， （使）摇动( sway的现在分词 )；影响、改变…的观点[行动]；横荡；晃晃悠悠

参考例句：

• The flowers were gently swaying in the breeze . 花儿在微风中轻轻舞动。
• The branches were swaying in the wind. 树枝在风中摇曳。

7 percussion   

n.打击乐器；冲突，撞击；震动，音响

参考例句：

• In an orchestra,people who play percussion instruments sit at the back.在管弦乐队中，演奏打击乐器的人会坐在后面。
• Percussion of the abdomen is often omitted.腹部叩诊常被省略。