I'm trying something new, exciting, and scary this year for our Holiday Concert in December at Suamico Elementary School. I'm going to give over much of my control and decision-making to our 4th grade classes for the planning and production of their portion (and maybe more) of the concert.
In the past, our concerts have been full school, with K starting first, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th was last. Most times, the students do 3 songs, and one uses instruments (classroom percussion and Orff instruments). A student from each class introduces each song.
As the principal and I talked about how to change things up this year, scenes from the movie School of Rock were coming to mind. I was envisioning different roles students could take on based on their interests and abilities. Sure, most everyone could be singing, but some could do lights, screens, sound, and other technology. Maybe some would like to design props or costumes. Students could help choose songs and create instrument parts for those songs. Some might want to use a new way of introducing the songs. Here's a clip from School of Rock that I thought of.
In the past, our concerts have been full school, with K starting first, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th was last. Most times, the students do 3 songs, and one uses instruments (classroom percussion and Orff instruments). A student from each class introduces each song.
As the principal and I talked about how to change things up this year, scenes from the movie School of Rock were coming to mind. I was envisioning different roles students could take on based on their interests and abilities. Sure, most everyone could be singing, but some could do lights, screens, sound, and other technology. Maybe some would like to design props or costumes. Students could help choose songs and create instrument parts for those songs. Some might want to use a new way of introducing the songs. Here's a clip from School of Rock that I thought of.
Well, I have so far introduced the concept to 2 of 3 classes, and they seem very excited. The students watched a few appropriate clips from the movie. One class was just buzzing with ideas. The trick will probably be how to manage all this creativity and energy, but I like that problem.
I had the students come up with a list of roles to choose from, and then they wrote down what they were interested in doing, which I organized on a spreadsheet.
I had the students come up with a list of roles to choose from, and then they wrote down what they were interested in doing, which I organized on a spreadsheet.
It is hard to see, but some of the roles they came up with were: choosing songs, decoration, costumes, instruments, singing, choreography, director, screen/tech, props, song introductions, special instruments, lights, naming the band (directly from School of Rock clips I showed LOL), dancing, and sound effects.
Our next step will be to get that committee together to choose some songs, because all the other jobs depend on it. Also, I should mention that I do have more prep time this year than I normally do, so I will have time to meet with students outside of music class. I wouldn't be able to do this without it. Wish me luck as we go forward!
Our next step will be to get that committee together to choose some songs, because all the other jobs depend on it. Also, I should mention that I do have more prep time this year than I normally do, so I will have time to meet with students outside of music class. I wouldn't be able to do this without it. Wish me luck as we go forward!