Lesson Plan for Liberty!

Lesson Objective: Students will define liberty and understand what it means to them. This idea will be expressed through an original rap song.

Have students view the photos on this blog.

Students will develop their own definition of Liberty. Have them find at least 3 definitions online and use these to create their own.

Have students write song lyrics about liberty as a class project and set them to a drum track.

Students will perform their rap songs for each other.

Kenderton School's Liberty Bell

Liberty Bells from "Let Art Freedom Ring" contest 2010

Liberty Is Our Responsibility

Independence Hall, Philadephia, PA

Liberty is an inportant concept for our students to consider. These photos along with the following lesson plan can be a resource for teaching our students patriotic songs and helping them understand the responsibility that we all share in enjoying our liberties as Americans.

Some interesting blogs to check out!

In this post I will share a few blogs I have read recently on www.theedublogger.com. I will also include some of my own feed back for each (good and bad!!).

Here is a link to a blog that I found interesting: http://portablerecorder.edublogs.org/
It features information for the music teacher who is using recorders a part of the curriculum.
Very nice layout. Lessons are simple but useful.

Another blog that I read recently was a student blog from Tasmania, Australia. http://wyatt67.edublogs.org/. I found the content to be creative and interesting. Student blogs offer a great tool for communication and creativity.

This blog uses video very effectively. http://lpatrick29.edublogs.org/
This is a great way to stay connected to parents and families.

This high school music blog serves as a vital link for posting important information about the music program. This is a great tool for promoting school-based musical activities. http://xworch.edublogs.org/

Here's an example of a blog that has potential but needs to be developed! Overall, I am surprised by all the great information that is available through www.theedublogger.com

About Mr. Thurman!!

Hello! I thought today would be a good day to share a bit about some of my personal interests! First of all!! I enjoy following the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Can you say Cliff Lee!!!

I also enjoy following the Philadelphia Eagles football team. I find Michael Vick's comeback story especially inspiring!

I am actively involved at my church, Harvest Time Christian Fellowship. I help to direct the music and love being a part of the family!

I am also very interested in the music world here in Philadelphia and enjoy attending opera's at the Opera Company of Philadelphia. My wife and I also enjoy attending concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra!!

Podcasting: Linking Kenderton School together with technology

As you can see from the photos we've posted, we've been working in the recording studio here at Kenderton School this week. Our focus has been podcasting. Each middle school class (grades 6-8) will produce their own 3-5 minute podcast. This audio podcast is structured like a radio show and is called the Radio Kenderton Podcast.

Most students are eager to participate in the recording process in the classroom. They are so surprised when they hear their own voices played back for the first time. I guess we all tend to think our voices sound strange when we hear a recording of ourselves played back for the first time.

The exciting thing is that there are many audio production techniques that make the recording experience more exciting for our students. During the recording of the podcast we often create original raps and use pitch correction software (similar to Autotune). The students love hearing how the pitch correction software changes the sound of the voice.

Fun in the studio!!!

Podcasting!!

A look around the K-Town

Kenderton Middle School student in a recording session

A recording studio in an inner-city elementary school?

K-Town Blog Update!

My experience thus far with blogging has been a positive one. I see this as a means to promote the amazing things that my music students are doing through music technology at Kenderton School. It is certainly exciting for me to realize that my blog can be read all around the world. I hope it will inspire other educators to think "outside the box."

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Visits Kenderton School!! Kenderton Choir Performs!!!

On Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Kenderton School had a special visit from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. He visited our school during a special event called "Summer SLAM Block Party." During this event, the school was promoting it's upcoming summer school program called Summer SLAM to parents and community members. The Kenderton Music program was asked to contribute a special performance to the welcoming ceremony for Mayor Nutter.

The Kenderton Choir, directed by Kenderton music teacher Ezechial Thurman, sang one selection for Mayor Nutter-- "We Are The World" written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie (2010 version). The choir of 45 students was made up of students from first through eighth grades who sang and also rapped for the Mayor. The Choir did a fabulous job!!!

Mayor Nutter praised the choir and took the time to shake each child's hand and to pose for photos with the choir and Mr. Thurman. K-Town Records played a support role in this performance since the studio was used in arranging the song and in sequencing the drum track that was used during the choir's performance. Many members of the press were present so we hope to post photos and video from this special event as they become available!

Introducing K-Town Records

This blog will be used to feature "outside the box" music making and audio recording in an inner-city Philadelphia music classroom. Our goal is to post innovative ideas that incorporate technology into the music curriculum with the specific goal of inspiring and motivating middle school students at Kenderton School in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This blog will also serve as a location to publish original student recordings. We also plan to produce student videos. We plan to share resources and ideas that have worked successfully in the classroom and showcase student work.

Finally, we will explore music and music production as a vehicle for change in the inner city. Students will be challenged to create culturally-relevant music that carries a message of hope and forward progress. Students will gain hands on experience working in a recording studio currently based in our school called K-Town Records.