Steph is starting a new position in the fall and she is very excited, especially because she will be teaching at the school she attended from K-8! She has been brainstorming start of the year activities to do with her classes that are team building, reflective and will produce a product that she and her students can refer to throughout the whole year.
Part 1 of our blog series is a project that Steph did with her Ryerson students, years ago when she started at that school. She wanted to get to know the students better and wanted to know what their favourite activities in Music were before finalizing any programming.
Part 1 of our blog series is a project that Steph did with her Ryerson students, years ago when she started at that school. She wanted to get to know the students better and wanted to know what their favourite activities in Music were before finalizing any programming.
My Hands Make Music
Steph's theme for the community artwork that first year at Ryerson was "Ryerson Hands Make Music". Every student in the school ended up creating a hand outline with a phrase on it that began with "My hands...". Students had to finish the phrase with their own idea such as "My hands play the drums" and decorate the hand cut-out.
Steph's theme for the community artwork that first year at Ryerson was "Ryerson Hands Make Music". Every student in the school ended up creating a hand outline with a phrase on it that began with "My hands...". Students had to finish the phrase with their own idea such as "My hands play the drums" and decorate the hand cut-out.
Steph and her students brainstormed different activities that they did in Music with their hands and discussed which ones were their favourites. Steph also let the older kids share ideas that didn't necessarily apply to our Music class, but that still applied to music like, "My hands play the piano." It was great having sharing discussions about music with her new students. It immediately set a community feel in her classroom.
After every student was finished their hand art, Steph took two long pieces of blue bulletin board paper to make the base of the community art.
The kids loved sharing their favourite music activities and contributing to the class. The artwork sure added to the welcoming, creative and safe environment in the Music room!
We would love to hear any activities that you do with your classes to help build relationships! We are always looking for ideas!
Check out our next post - Begin the Year by Building Relationships Part 2!
We would love to hear any activities that you do with your classes to help build relationships! We are always looking for ideas!
Check out our next post - Begin the Year by Building Relationships Part 2!
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