This month we’ve been exploring sound on instruments – mandolin, dulcimers, banjo, sitar, and tabla – that have been donated by community members and my neighbours. Together we watch videos, ask questions, research information, and learn together.

One of my Gr. 8s said this Tech Music Learning unit leading was the best I’ve ever taught!

I told my J/I students that I’m increasing amazed at their ability to teach themselves how to play music using YouTube (etc) videos and AI. They were invited to work alone or in a group to teach themselves a tune using our classroom iPads and instruments. They only ever had to perform for me alone.
With so much choice the students were fully in control and therefore engaged and, wow, did they ever play well.
Also, there was more singing -voices I’d never heard before- than with any other J/I project we’ve done!

Our 3rd year at PanFest thanks to instructor, Roshane Wright, and Canoe Landing Community Centre support.

My grade 2&3 students and I spent over 3 months creating this show. Each class chose a storybook, composed sound effects and songs to accompany the storyline, recorded their voices reading the words, and then rehearsed playing instruments along with our iMovie storybook. At our concert the Towers School Singers and Band also performed and we all joined together for “The Cat Came Back” finale.

One of our band members, Chloe, is a Blue Jays Ambassador so as a band we decided to take an old classic and make it our own-with a new jazzy B section and fun ending. Old Ball Games from Open Windows was recorded by the Jays Care team who gifted us band uniforms for our upcoming performances.

At school concerts I don’t mind bowing beside my students (though I’ve learned that bowing is against some of my students’ beliefs so we’ve taken to waving) but I feel a little awkward bowing to the audience alone when I’m thanked.
This all to say that during these past few month of creating and rehearsing original concert composition with Gr. 2&3 students-giving voice and trying their many, many musical suggestions while they all have instruments of choice (some very loud!) in hand and then making democratic and mostly feasible decisions together…after some of these dizzying lessons…?!, I’d take a bow.

I can’t even with these kids-they are so fun to teach! We almost have a class set of Strings instruments (thank goodness for donations!) and my 7/8s are playing! In years past I’ve done short Strings units but this year they’re hanging on. It’s not easy to get around to all 30 of them but they help each other and they help me.

is my least favourite part of the day.” “I want to live here!” “Ah, the Music room, my favourite!”
My students warm my heart and I am so proud of their learning! Lots of treble clef note practising this month-flash cards quizzes, note reading on instruments, and twister-style carpet staff games.

Towers School Band entered the CBC Music Class competition. Love them-https://youtu.be/MLrp4cZVgpw?feature=shared