Hello all!
As classes have now been suspended indefinitely, I will be setting up this site to send home both activities that can be done as well as how I will be assessing learning going forward. As report cards are still coming out in June, students can improve their grade by completing work posted to this site.
A few notes on how I plan to run "music classes" over the coming weeks:
1. The LSSD Music Resource Site is a central area for all the music teachers in the division to post general music resources. I recommend this as the first place to check on a regular basis for open-ended activities where you are in control of what you want to do.
2. I want parents and students first to be in control of student learning. If you have a system for music learning at home that is working for you, that is awesome! I want to be a support, not a hindrance. If you'd like to send me updates on what you are doing with your system instead of sending me things I assign, that is fine. As long as I am receiving updates, I can assess appropriately. For example, if you'd like to spend your time practising an instrument you have at home (piano, guitar, ukelele, drums, etc.), that is an excellent use of your time. Leading into my next point...
3. You know your learning style and abilities best. Apart from the LSSD resource site, I will be posting activities by grade level. However, you will notice many of these activities will be posted across multiple grades, and these grade levels are a suggestion, not a requirement! Feel free to go up in level if you want a harder challenge, or go down in level if something isn't making sense, or you just want to take it easier!
4. Don't Panic! On average, students should be spending an average of 5-15 minutes each day in "music class". This can be done each day, or in bigger chunks once or twice a week. Students can set a schedule with their parents. As classroom teachers have likely already recommended, I do recommend setting a regular daily schedule that includes music. This could be a regular part of each day, or "Music Wednesday!" where you spend an hour or so once a week. Furthermore, only a small portion of this time should be spent on "gradable" activities. Speaking of...
5. "Assignments" will be posted only as needed. As of the time of writing, I'm thinking 1-2 assignments each month (subject to change!). As mentioned above, if you can send me an update with what you are doing that is not related to what I assign, that is fine! As long as you are in touch, what I assign can be replaced with your own "assignments"! My goal is to post assignments through the same methods your classroom teacher is using. So, if your teacher is using Seesaw, music work that needs to be submitted can (hopefully) be submitted through Seesaw as well. I want to try and make the process as painless as possible!
6. Get in touch! If you have any questions, worries, or just want to chat, send me an email!
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