Today we did a cloze activity with 'Imagine' by John Lennon (we're currently doing a Beatles study). First the kids had to listen a couple of times to fill-in the missing words then we had a great session identifying and discussing what the world might be like without certain things we take for granted (just like in the song). The students came up with money, wi-fi, internet and gangs among other things and the discussion was engaging and at times even a friendly argument.
It was cool to use Lennon's song as the springboard for discussion and debate and was a good example of music and lyrics in particular being a medium for further learning.
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It's NZ Music Month and we've coupled that with vinyl appreciation! Some classes are studying the Beatles and year 10's are studying the Blues - so it's Kiwi Music, Beatles and the Blues all month!
I'm stuffed! What a week!. New technology is great - this week we began using the new set of class tablets - but it's also fraught with teething problems and things going wrong. When you're not a super techy type and whole classes are simultaneously calling for your help to fix everything, it's draining and stressful. I myslef am used to laptops and computers with a mouse connected, so touch screen devices are a bit awkward and tricky even when they are working well. I'll persevere but right now I'd be happy if they disappeared into a hole in the ground never to return lol.
Part of the stress is trialling new units/topics at the same time - the mix of both content (Beatles and The Blues) and medium (digital devices) has proved hard work. Hopefully it all will be good in the end! |
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Teacher/ Musician from Northland, New Zealand. |