Hello My Friends!

I hope this post finds you well!  It is hard to believe that it is nearing the end of May.  Wow!  For our music explorations this week, I wanted to share this video of a great story written by Mo Willems.  He is the author of many children’s books including the “Elephant and Piggie” series.   The story is narrated by Michelle who plays the clarinet (a wind instrument) with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO).  The VSO performs at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver.  I hope you enjoy the story!

My grade two students in divisions 14 through 17 participated in Primary Days of Music in March just before Spring Break.  We walked to Nelson Elementary and sang a repertoire of songs together with four other schools.  One of the songs is called, “Why We Sing” by Greg Gilpin.  Listen to this adult choir, ‘The Northern Lights Chorale’  perform it.

 

In this second video of the same song, you can sing along with this children’s choir.

After listening to the story, “Because” and the song, “This Is Why We Sing.” record your response(s) to either one or both of them by drawing or painting a picture.  Your picture can be abstract (lines, shapes, colour & design) or it can be concrete (pictures of people, places, things, symbols).  Use your imagination to create your unique response.  Remember, there is no right or wrong response.  How you feel, is how you feel.  If you are able to have an adult take a digital photo of your work, that would be wonderful.  Please email it to me at:  ravena.berar@burnabyschools.ca

I have now created a page on my blog, titled, “Student Gallery.”  You will find it in the top horizontal menu.  This page is password protected for security reasons so that only the families of the divisions that I teach, will be able to see it.  I have just emailed all of my Maywood families in divisions 14 through 21 with the password for you to be able to access this page.  A number of emails, “bounced back” to me as undeliverable.  If you did not receive a separate email from me but you would like to receive the password, please let me know one of two ways.  Either you can leave me a comment here on my blog or you can email me directly at my email address above (highlighted in blue).  Thank you so much to all of you for the AMAZING work that you are doing for our school and for your families too!  Remember, together… we can!  Take great care of yourselves!!  Sending you much love. OxoxoxO