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Music Students ARE "IB Learners"

IB Learner Profile
"The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world."
(From the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Arts Guide)

IB learners strive to be: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, Reflective.

Today's Roadrunner Challenge was for students to explain how the IB learner profile characteristics listed above relate to their work in music class and throughout the school community. Below are a few of their responses.
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"We are risk-takers for [performing] and talking in front of the class. We are not scared to do anything! We are knowledgeable from learning things from other teachers.We are not afraid to make a mistake or give a wrong answer. We are inquirers because we always ask questions when we don't know something. We are great IB students!" - Alexia, grade 6

"The IB characteristics relate to everything. You always need to communicate with your neighbors to get somewhere. Also, it helps to be open-minded and caring because everyone has the right to their opinion. In school you have to be a thinker and an inquirer to be able to fully understand a lesson. The IB characteristics are a part of everyday lives." - James, grade 8

"We are IB students because we are thinkers who try hard to excel. We are risk-takers who are not afraid to try new or hard things." - Jayla, grade 8

"I am a good communicator in class. I need to be more of a thinker. I also need to ask more questions." - Elizabeth, grade 6

"I need to care more so my work can be neater and 'straight.' I need to be reflective so I can learn from my mistakes. I need to be more knowledgeable so I can pass my classes." - Branden, grade 6

"I'm a risk-taker because I tried out for cheerleading but I was a little scared. I'm caring because I care for others and myself. I don't always think of myself. I don't always want things my way or want to be in the spotlight." - Jaelae, grade 6

"You have to be open-minded to everyone and everything. I think all of the time in all of my classes. I care for the homeless, the sick, and animals. We take risks when we make new patterns [in music class]. I'm balanced with all of my classes." - Gwendolyn, grade 8

"I'm a risk-taker. I try new things everyday. To get things done on time and not fight, you have to be caring and communicate." - Ashley, grade 8

"We have to communicate with each other. We must have an open mind to learn and teach each other." - Crystal, grade 8

Week One In Review - Our First Classroom Blog-Cast and Drum Jam

Watch our first classroom blog-cast highlighting student accomplishments from week one. The video features student-led demonstrations and behind-the-scenes footage of students working together in their new Learning Groups. You will also see comments from parents that were posted on our August 8th Voicethread. You can see (and hear) all of the Voicethread comment, and add your own, on our Music & Media Network.

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Watch the video of our first Classroom Drum Jam! This was filmed on day four of the new school year, August 11th, 2011.

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"Road Runner Challenge" - Promoting Critical, Divergent Thinking and Curricular Connections

Students begin each class period with a 5-minute activity connected to the daily lesson and MCS curriculum. Wednesday's "Road Runner Challenge" produced some creative results and ignited healthy discourse on repeating patterns in music, architecture, and nature.

Gwendolyn, grade 8

Today's new vocabulary term was ostinato (a repeating musical pattern). To introduce the concept, students were asked to illustrate simple repeating patterns using their choice of symbols, designs, or characters. Next, students were asked to "identify one thing they have observed or heard that included repeating patterns." Students listened to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" (softly playing in the background) as we completed the challenge. Many students identified the repeating guitar phrase, drum pattern, and Adele's melodic vocal lines, particularly in the song's refrain, "we could've had it all." Other students identified the Kente cloth pattern on the drum shells in our classroom, the pattern in the carpet, on a purse, and in bulletin board paper. Below are a few images created by the students during today's Road Runner challenge.

Kamara, grade 8 

Marcus, grade 8

Mikayla, grade 6

Daila, grade 6

2011-2012 School Year: Day One . Vociethread Homework Assignment

Monday was a good day! Music students are learning classroom rules and procedures, and discovering what lies ahead for them this year in choir and general music. Our goal is to post a new blog entry by Friday, August 12th, with audio and images of students summarizing their first week in class, and demonstrating some reading and performance skills.

Homework for Monday night, August 8: Click here to view/download tonight's homework assignment.
1. Create a Voicethread account (Visit our Music & Media Network at goo.gl/RRKRI and click on the Voicethread button below the Welcome Video).
2. Leave a comment - text, audio, or video - discussing your expectations for music class this year.


5 BONUS POINTS awarded if a parent leaves a comment + 5 MORE BONUS POINTS  awarded to students who turn in the homework sheet with their parent's signature!


Here is the Voicethread from Monday night.

Click here to view a larger version of the Voicethread.