on the floor makes an incredible sound and the students who piece it back together will learn their musical alphabet for life.

In September all of my students learn to (or review how to) carefully take out, listen to, produce sound on, and put away our instruments. We are now starting to talk about our upcoming “gigs” and students will be able to choose their own performance instrument. In my experience this leads to more involved practising, responsible rehearsals, and proud accomplishments.

The hallway to our music room is finally decorated and it’s a JLPS music code…ask any one of my students what it means and they will sing it back to you AND can play it on any “strumming instrument.” A right of passage and a sense of belonging. “We are Jean Lumb community.”

What JLPS sound is quietest? What JLPS sound surprises you? Where in JLPS do you make the most sounds? My 2023/24 Gr. 2-8 music students and I are discussing sound, pondering Murray Schafer quotes, and creating Soundscapes using recorded school sounds in GarageBand. Best start to our music program yet…like ever!

AMAZING feeling to be leading Strings at a camp again (I miss Music by the Lake!) and especially with all three of my own kids as campers. I hope to bring some of my JLPS students with me next summer!

A tried and true June lesson plan. I love the build of excitement as they get 2 away, 1 away, BINGO! “I have 2 more 1 mores!”

We love using centres in Music class. I always change the activities but pictured above are a student-led jam in the back of the room (circle of ukuleles/guitars), music books on the carpet, music apps on iPads, and a centre with me exploring new instruments (cello, electric guitar, and drum machine). I have them point to the next station before they move. Centres are also great for assessment and getting to listen to a smaller groups of kids!

My Grade 2s and I wrote accompaniment chords and melody notes to our favourite words in this amazing story book. Amanda Gorman writes of hope and the need for change…it sings itself. I love how my students chose both minor and major chords.

Forest fire smoke?! I plan concerts very carefully but didn’t see this coming. We had very little time to pivot our set up from outside to the upper gym, but Ms Goggin, the kids, and I pulled it off! Gr 6/7 showed off our original Korean Drumming group composition, Gr 2s warmed our hearts with songs, 12 solo performers wowed us with their skills, and the School Band and School Singers? Well, there’s “Nobody Like You.”

Air time before the downbeat! I feel very grateful for our borrowed TDSB Community Korean Drumming Kit and instructor Charles Hong. We all jammed and composed with the janggos, sogos, and buks. Kamsahamnida!