Can Do Muses
November Remembering
The “Remembering Day” falls on different days/months in different countries. In Canada we remember together on November 11th.
My grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge in World War I. My father was in the Canadian Air Force during World War II. When I was little, Remembrance Day was the day everything stopped at 11am for two minutes —everything; traffic, talking, old and young in grocery stores. When I was little, two minutes was a very long time. It made an impact, even if I didn’t understand what was going on.
With the world community seeming to shrink, and internet making far away seem very close; with refugees from war-torn countries coming to live in our neighbourhoods, and people from our neighbourhoods going to fight for peace far away … finding a balance in the remembering, especially when working or living with young children can be difficult. Peace be with you as you prepare to remember this November.
Shalom, Lesley
P.S. In 2015, with my Grandfather’s diary in hand, I visited places in France and Belgium where he fought during World War I. Remembrance Day I spent in Mons, staying with friends who were living/working at the Nato base there. The art work in “Poppies Are for November” were done by students at the Canadian school on the base.
I’ve Got Peace Like A River I’ve Got Peace Like a River
This Little Light of Mine This Little Light of Mine
Lessons
Each lesson builds on the one before so that concepts grow in complexity through the year. Practice and review are planned into lessons. Canadian curriculum expectations are detailed at the beginning of every lesson (and in the overview). This is a complete music curriculum including music literacy, performance, instrument playing and active listening. Songs are suggested, but may easily be switched with your own favourites. As long as the planned teaching points are covered, all curriculum expectations will be met.
Grade 1 - Music Dance & Drama
Begin with the basics for students and teachers. Music, dance and drama combine to cover curriculum expectations in two fine arts lessons a week.
Grade 2 - Music & Dance
Review Grade 1 music concepts then move into growing those concepts through new and familiar music. Focus on solidifying the basics --beat, rhythm and reading rhythm.
Grade 3 - Music
Review music concepts from Grades 1-2 while adding a few new ones. Lots of time in the lessons for using concepts in performance and composition. Music pre-literacy is the focus of the second half of the year in preparation for learning to read the musical staff in Grade 4.
About Can Do
Create your own music lessons using some of the resources on the site, or, if you’re new to teaching music, try following a few of the lessons given here. Whatever you use –my hope is that “Can Do Music” helps to make music in your classroom and life. To learn more about the site and its creations, explore the links below.