Being a foodie most of my life, the theme this year could not have been more exciting to me! My principal is a brilliant woman who enjoys creating an opening day that will linger in your mind and heart for days to come. Yesterday was one of those well-planned, well-executed and extremely fun sort of days for me.
I love to cook and I love to eat what I cook. This year's theme is "Recipe for Success" and boy, did we cook up some fun in the Chets Creek Kitchen yesterday. Visiting chefs whipped up little appetizers for us, we played games like "Guess That Spice" and even made our own lunch - pizzas that were cooked in our school cafeteria ovens. It was a great kick-off for what I hope will be a great year at the Creek. Enjoy the photos :)
Recipe for Success on PhotoPeach
Until next time...
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Professor Tamburrino
For the past two semesters, I have been teaching an integrated arts class at the University of North Florida. This is a required course for all early childhood education majors. This course is designed to teach pre-service teachers how to integrate the visual arts and music into their core curriculum. It is very "hands-on" and includes multiple opportunities for students to teach integrated lessons to their peers.
Last week, a student was presenting a lesson integrating music and social studies and began by placing a small animal on the document camera. This particular animal hails from the continent of Africa and I had never been "up close and personal" with one. Can you guess what it is? It is one of the characters in Beatrix Potter's children's stories. (The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle)
Last week, a student was presenting a lesson integrating music and social studies and began by placing a small animal on the document camera. This particular animal hails from the continent of Africa and I had never been "up close and personal" with one. Can you guess what it is? It is one of the characters in Beatrix Potter's children's stories. (The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle)
Professor Tamburrino and Cooper
Yes. It's a hedgehog. I'm not much of an animal lover, but this little guy stole my heart. I am told that they don't allow the exportation of hedgehogs from Africa any more, but there are breeders here in the US. If you've never felt one, they feel like a hairbrush made of boar bristles. He was a very busy little creature and I could barely contain him long enough for a photo (very much like my youngest son). He and Cooper would have been great friends!
I must say that a "hook" for a lesson doesn't get much better than a "live" animal!! As the lesson progressed, we learned about shekeres (African shaker) and made one out of a covered pie tin with beads inside. It was a beautifully integrated lesson, complete with hedgehog.
We have had a blast this summer creating, singing, dancing and learning together. I am privileged to teach our next generation of teachers and hope they will "carry the torch" and include arts integration in their own classrooms for generations to come.
Until next time...
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Arts Integration - Math/Music
Each spring, I teach a lesson in first grade using a simple rhyme entitled, "Cobbler, Cobbler." When you mention the word "cobbler" in the south, everyone's mind automatically moves toward apple, peach and blackberry cobbler. It's a southern tradition, especially in the summertime.
However, this "cobbler" is different. The "cobbler" in this lesson refers to a vocation, not a dessert. Most elementary-aged students don't have a clue what an old-fashioned cobbler does and I get to teach a social studies lesson in addition to an integrated math and music lesson.
The following video provides a peak into my classroom as I scaffold a lesson from the bottom up. I lay the foundation beginning with pitch-matching; then add the steady beat. Next, I teach the rhyme, layer in the melody and then we apply the learning in the back of the classroom using play money at the cobbler's shop.
This is one of my favorite lessons to teach each year and the students enjoy the opportunity to show off their math skills in music class.
Many thanks to Mrs. Foster's first grade class and to Mr. Trey Vollmer of Vollmer Video for his work on this project.
Until next time...
However, this "cobbler" is different. The "cobbler" in this lesson refers to a vocation, not a dessert. Most elementary-aged students don't have a clue what an old-fashioned cobbler does and I get to teach a social studies lesson in addition to an integrated math and music lesson.
The following video provides a peak into my classroom as I scaffold a lesson from the bottom up. I lay the foundation beginning with pitch-matching; then add the steady beat. Next, I teach the rhyme, layer in the melody and then we apply the learning in the back of the classroom using play money at the cobbler's shop.
This is one of my favorite lessons to teach each year and the students enjoy the opportunity to show off their math skills in music class.
Many thanks to Mrs. Foster's first grade class and to Mr. Trey Vollmer of Vollmer Video for his work on this project.
Until next time...
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Let's Sing, America!
Last fall, one of my third grade teachers approached me and asked if we could find a musical that aligned with the social studies curriculum in third grade. I told her I would certainly try. She wanted one with patriotic songs in it and I was ready to produce something new.
After researching our options, we settled on one entitled, "Let's Sing, America!" It included folk songs and patriotic songs every kid in America should know. The dialogue also included fun facts about our national symbols (the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, the flag, etc.) Last week, 215 third graders presented "Let's Sing, America!" to the student body during the school day and again in the evening for their families. It was a smashing success!!!
Understand that I have produced many musicals over the years, but this one was something special. Since the performances last week, parents have stopped me in the grocery store, at a pool party and at a swim meet to tell me how much they enjoyed the performances. I have heard nothing but compliments and accolades from folks young and old. My office has been inundated with hand-written thank you notes from students. I opened my mailbox at home today and there were two postcards from school signed by 72 students and their teachers thanking me for my help with their production. So many people worked on the production and I am grateful to each and every one. It was truly a collaborative effort and I couldn't be happier with the results.
Until next time...
After researching our options, we settled on one entitled, "Let's Sing, America!" It included folk songs and patriotic songs every kid in America should know. The dialogue also included fun facts about our national symbols (the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, the flag, etc.) Last week, 215 third graders presented "Let's Sing, America!" to the student body during the school day and again in the evening for their families. It was a smashing success!!!
Understand that I have produced many musicals over the years, but this one was something special. Since the performances last week, parents have stopped me in the grocery store, at a pool party and at a swim meet to tell me how much they enjoyed the performances. I have heard nothing but compliments and accolades from folks young and old. My office has been inundated with hand-written thank you notes from students. I opened my mailbox at home today and there were two postcards from school signed by 72 students and their teachers thanking me for my help with their production. So many people worked on the production and I am grateful to each and every one. It was truly a collaborative effort and I couldn't be happier with the results.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Kernan Middle School Band
Four years ago, Kernan Middle School was stripped of its music program. KMS is my feeder school and that news was heartbreaking for me. When you build a musical foundation in a child during their formative years and send them off to middle school, your hope is that they will choose to continue their music studies during their adolescent years. If there are no options for them to do so, you lose an entire generation of potential band, chorus and orchestra students. There is no time to teach beginning band, chorus and orchestra at the high school level. The students must enter 9th grade prepared to further their studies, not initiate them.
My teacher certification in the State of Florida is K-12, which means I can legally teach music courses in any of these grade levels and any of these disciplines. I am certified to teach general music, band, chorus and orchestra, however, I do not feel I am qualified to teach in several of these disciplines. If a principal chooses to remove a program from its offerings, the ramifications of his/her decision are felt for years to come. This is analogous to removing pre-algebra, algebra 1 and algebra 2 from the middle school curriculum and expecting the student to be able to perform on grade-level without the prerequisite coursework in math when he reaches high school. It is ludicrous to think a student can be successful without the proper preparation during the middle years in academics, elective courses (art and music) and sports.
Four years ago, this principal's decision to remove course offerings in music education at KMS became my personal crusade to get them re-instated with the new principal. I worked tirelessly for three years. Every time a former parent of mine e-mailed or called me asking why there was no music program for their child, I asked them to contact the principal. I conversed with music supervisors at the district level. I met with the current principal on several occasions. I talked with band directors, teachers, students - you name it - and the results were astounding!
After three years of silence in the band room, the newly re-instated Kernan Middle School Band and Jazz Band came to my school to perform yesterday as part of our Cultural Arts Week. I had the privilege of hosting their very first road trip and it was a huge success! The tireless efforts of their director, Mr. James Justice, their principal Ms. Kathy Kassees and the parents of 55 band members culminated in a concert that was artistically and musically better than any beginning band concert I had ever attended. As I listened to the group rehearse prior to the concert, I was overcome by emotion and began to weep. The tears were unstoppable as I listened to their sound and watched the professional behavior of these students. A majority of these students were my former students and it was a magical musical moment for me. I don't always get to experience the "fruit of my labor" and it was evident that the new program at the middle school has been a worthwhile investment in the lives of our children.
On Tuesday, May 8th, I will be present at their spring concert to show my support. My heart is full today because of what I experienced yesterday with these students. Bravissimo, Mr. Justice! Bravissimo!
My teacher certification in the State of Florida is K-12, which means I can legally teach music courses in any of these grade levels and any of these disciplines. I am certified to teach general music, band, chorus and orchestra, however, I do not feel I am qualified to teach in several of these disciplines. If a principal chooses to remove a program from its offerings, the ramifications of his/her decision are felt for years to come. This is analogous to removing pre-algebra, algebra 1 and algebra 2 from the middle school curriculum and expecting the student to be able to perform on grade-level without the prerequisite coursework in math when he reaches high school. It is ludicrous to think a student can be successful without the proper preparation during the middle years in academics, elective courses (art and music) and sports.
Four years ago, this principal's decision to remove course offerings in music education at KMS became my personal crusade to get them re-instated with the new principal. I worked tirelessly for three years. Every time a former parent of mine e-mailed or called me asking why there was no music program for their child, I asked them to contact the principal. I conversed with music supervisors at the district level. I met with the current principal on several occasions. I talked with band directors, teachers, students - you name it - and the results were astounding!
After three years of silence in the band room, the newly re-instated Kernan Middle School Band and Jazz Band came to my school to perform yesterday as part of our Cultural Arts Week. I had the privilege of hosting their very first road trip and it was a huge success! The tireless efforts of their director, Mr. James Justice, their principal Ms. Kathy Kassees and the parents of 55 band members culminated in a concert that was artistically and musically better than any beginning band concert I had ever attended. As I listened to the group rehearse prior to the concert, I was overcome by emotion and began to weep. The tears were unstoppable as I listened to their sound and watched the professional behavior of these students. A majority of these students were my former students and it was a magical musical moment for me. I don't always get to experience the "fruit of my labor" and it was evident that the new program at the middle school has been a worthwhile investment in the lives of our children.
On Tuesday, May 8th, I will be present at their spring concert to show my support. My heart is full today because of what I experienced yesterday with these students. Bravissimo, Mr. Justice! Bravissimo!
Kernan Middle School Band 2011-12
Singing "I've Got Rhythm" with the Jazz Band
Until next time...
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Weill Music Institute "Link Up" Program
Next month, I will load 10 school buses with 2nd and 3rd grade students from Chets Creek Elementary and take them downtown to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts where they will experience a "live" orchestral concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
In preparation for this field study, the Weill Music Institute (Carnegie Hall, New York City) sent us educational outreach materials for our students, free of charge. These booklets provided musical scores to read, an orchestral instrument review activity and several songs for us to learn prior to the concert on May 16th. An audience sing-along will include "Simple Gifts" by Aaron Copland, "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Going Home" (a spiritual based on the largo movement of Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and "I Bought Me Cat" by Aaron Copeland.
I have been working diligently with my students to prepare them for this concert experience. For most of them, this will be their first symphonic concert and I want it to be something they will always remember.
Thank you to Paula Thornton, Tony Kamnikar and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for coordinating this event for our elementary students each year and to Duval County Public Schools for providing bus transporation for our students at no cost to us. Many thanks to the folks at Carnegie Hall for providing us with educational materials through their "Link Up" series. We have thoroughly enjoyed them!!
Until next time...
In preparation for this field study, the Weill Music Institute (Carnegie Hall, New York City) sent us educational outreach materials for our students, free of charge. These booklets provided musical scores to read, an orchestral instrument review activity and several songs for us to learn prior to the concert on May 16th. An audience sing-along will include "Simple Gifts" by Aaron Copland, "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Going Home" (a spiritual based on the largo movement of Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and "I Bought Me Cat" by Aaron Copeland.
I have been working diligently with my students to prepare them for this concert experience. For most of them, this will be their first symphonic concert and I want it to be something they will always remember.
Thank you to Paula Thornton, Tony Kamnikar and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for coordinating this event for our elementary students each year and to Duval County Public Schools for providing bus transporation for our students at no cost to us. Many thanks to the folks at Carnegie Hall for providing us with educational materials through their "Link Up" series. We have thoroughly enjoyed them!!
Until next time...
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