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Set Them Free! �Scaffolding Independence

Jon Feulner

bit.ly/setfreeMBS2023

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Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

Who, me? Yes, you!

Couldn’t be! Then who?

Add groove with instruments!
Flippity Scat Word Spinner

More Ideas for class warm up/break

Musical Chairs (live band + conductor)
Big foam finger + chord charts
Rap Scheming Battles!
Charlie Over the Ocean/early elementary games

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Welcome! I’m Jon

Hailing from Hopkins, MN! �(western suburb of Minneapolis)
I have 2 daughters, 1 greyhound, 1 wife�I work .6 elementary and .4 high school �(1.0 high school next year)
District tech: 1:1 iPads at Elementary and JH, 1:1 Chromebooks at HS
District is around 6,800 students; roughly 50% white, 25% Black or African American, 10% Hispanic/Latino, 5% Asian.

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“In Hopkins, inclusivity leads to understanding, empathy, and respect. All families are celebrated, and we empower all voices to be heard. Feeling welcome, accepted, and affirmed, our scholars develop a sense of belonging in an authentic school community where they are challenged to succeed and excel. Here, everyone belongs.”

Hopkins Vision 2031

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What to expect today:

Ready?

Introduction to how I teach modern band with a focus on student independence (and why)
Alternative, “stations without sound” for non-instrument groups
Time for jamming, questions, �and trying stuff

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Starting with Ukulele

Because I have a class set.
Teach C, Am, F as a class using these slides and play alongs (ukability.org)
Students have the option to use guitars (modified using the Corallo method)
We drill these three chords using games, play alongs, and songs
We come back to G7 and play some as a class later, but small groups rule
Once students know three chords, �we switch to flip cards and chord sheets.

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Drumset

Start with group “walk,” basic beat on buckets.
Use with games and as much as possible to support the class.
Quiet use: mouse pads, body percussion, sticks on laps
Digital drums for small group work

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Bass

Other Instruments

I have ONE. And 4-6 assorted guitars to use as basses.
I used to try as a group, but wasn’t successful
Teach as part of games, using volunteers and peer-teaching
Also the flip cards and floating to support

Piano: jam cards, flip cards, usually a student leader
Band and orchestra instruments (especially 6th graders)
Tubanos, cajons

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“Stations Without Sound”

(alternate activities)

Leaned into GarageBand �(Soundtrap would work also)
Students can collaborate using headphones and passing their ipad around.
QR-code linked “CREATE” instruction slides, but student use was mixed
Chrome Extension: QR Code Generator
Students peer-assess using Google form

The following slides are taken from my examples students used in class.

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Example 1: Sample a Teacher!

Make music using the voice of your favorite teacher.

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How to Record Sounds Into GarageBand

You can also use your camera and ask your teacher for help.

Or use one already made! There’s a link and instructions on the next slide.

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How to Import Samples into GarageBand

There are example samples in this Google Folder!

And a pdf of instructions for printing here.

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Example 2: Make Your Music Take Shape!

This is boring:

This will sound cooler:

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Make Your Music Take Shape!

All songs have energy that changes
Think of your music like a story that has a beginning, build, and resolution
Try a whale or blobfish shape!

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More Project Ideas

ReMix an Artist in GarageBand or Soundtrap! Students can learn about matching key and tempo using the folder of isolated vocal tracks at bit.ly/MBS22vox
Create a video game soundtrack! Use the silent videos from the Google Folder to create music that fits the mood, energy, and style of the game.
Create intro music for a fake/real YouTube channel. Students can create in a specific form (AB, ABA, ABACA, etc) using GarageBand’s “Song Sections.”

Non-digital station activities can include

DJ worksheet to create a party/think of songs with a purpose
Writing a 12-bar blues for their band/orchestra instruments �(treat lines like a sentence)
Lessons from TeachRock.org

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Peer Review or Reflection

I use a QR to a *short* Google form for reflection or peer review.

What tools did you use to create (words/music/etc)?
How did thinking about (specific tool) help you?
How did getting feedback feel? Did you agree with it? Did you use the feedback you received?
Did giving feedback help your project?
Did you try creating with a partner? Was it productive or hard?
What was successful or unsuccessful about this work?

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Stretch & Question

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Jam Time!

Option 1: Form a small band and try the cards and sheets.

L1 (Beginner): Itsy Bitsy Spider or Happy Birthday
L2 (Middle Level): Ho Hey or Demons
L3 (Advanced): Duck Song (need to learn Bb!) It’s fast, so maybe practice taking turns with chords or I Want It That Way

Option 2: Try one of the GarageBand Activities.

Option 3: Talk to a peer about something else you learned this week.

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Resources!

Email me anytime: �jonathan.feulner@hopkinsschools.org
Can’t spell all that? Try bit.ly/308fqPD

My ukulele slides (make yourself a copy): bit.ly/3Nt0We6
Google Folder with Flip Cards, instructions, and lead sheets PDFs: bit.ly/3NSww5L
Bonus! iPad music links: bit.ly/3r2809Y