The Start of a New Year...

brings new goals and expectations. It also brings unpacking and setting up the classroom. This turned out to be no small feat this year, with the whole school getting a fresh coat of paint inside as well as remodeled restrooms, repaired doors and replaced doorknobs. Unfortunately for the Edison staff, they were all not quite finished projects when we showed up to work on the first day. In fact, some things are still in progress as I am typing this.

The last time I talked with you all, I was going to update you on a NEW project, called Teen Island, that I jumped into with our Technology Integration Specialist at the end of last year. Well, as you can see, I never got back to all of you. We were all so busy on the Island. It was a great LEARNING experience for ALL. Eleven brave students took the LEAP with me onto Teen Island.

Here is a little of what we did on the island....

Teacher Gets A Second Life!

. . . a second Virtual life. Meet Roxanne. She hasn't decided on her final look yet, but she has already been to PESD Island and conversed with her mentor Norma. They will be working together with PESD students soon in a place called Teen Second Life. Have I got your interest piqued? Well, check back in soon for the latest news on this exciting new project.

Organic Shapes or Live Statues

Edison students of all grade levels are creating live statues also known as "Organic Shapes."
Not only is it fun, but it requires lots of concentration, spatial awareness, kinesthetic control and cooperation to achieve a finished product. See for yourself.

Compose You Own Melody!

Edison students are composing their own melodies. They are also learning and/or reviewing the names of the kinds of notes and rests that are used in a melody. They also get to use our Smartboard to do it.

Improvise!. . . Good for Both Students and Teachers.

Mr. Mason's and Ms. Valenzuela's classes ALL came to music this week. Although it was an unexpected occurrence, it turned out to be a good time for all! See for yourself. I've posted a Teacher Tube link to a Photo Story I created on Tuesday afternoon, using photos of the body percussion accompaniment that the two classes created during their music times. There is also a second Teacher Tube link showing another example of body percussion use.

These are photos from last year. These are Kindergarten, Second and Third graders.

If you click on "Music Links" (right side panel), you will go to the "Classics for Kids" Homepage. You can find many games to practice, test and improve your music skills.