Video of October 19

The students continue to be truly amazing with the projects they are working on. Composing, arranging, programing, writing, learning new instruments, teaching, and so much more! I know that the students are learning so much more then they expected.

I walked around the band room (and practice rooms, office, computer lab, dressing rooms, auditorium) where students were working on their projects and captured some of their work on video. I couldn't get everyone on the recording as there was so much to choose from and I had to keep it under 10 minutes for youtube.

Students are reminded to update their blogs!

Video Coming

Next week (after our google day) I will post a video of my students working on their projects in class!

October 12

Some very cool recent postings by my students. A reminder to my students: change the title of your blog to include your name(s) and a short descriptor of your project. The next Google 20% day is next week. Go Lakers!

Wed. 10/5 - Some Amazing Projects Are Taking Shape

The symphonic band and wind ensemble both worked on their Google 20% projects today; these students are coming up with some amazing projects. One trio of students wrote lyrics to a song, put chords and a drum pattern to them, and performed it for me. I was REALLY IMPRESSED! This would be a song I could hear on the radio or on youtube in the very near future!

Students were learning new instruments (the ukelele is a popular choice), making new instruments, arranging music for pep band, writing reviews of songs, playing in a rock/funk group, teaching other students how to play various instruments, composing, etc. It is great to see the satisfaction on the faces of the students tackling this project with such enthusiasm. Although there were only a very few students that were not using their time wisely, overall today was a smashing success.

The biggest challenge is finding places for students to go. After all our practice rooms, hallways, and dressing rooms were filled, students just went to a corner or spot in the band room. If you can get passed the fact that it's not perfectly quiet in the room (with all sorts of music happening), it actually worked very well.

I am encouraging students to post these projects on their blogs so that others can check on their progress; video/audio links, pictures, etc.

 Looking at our stats on our blogs, we have view coming as far away as Russia! One of my students was so excited that someone from Germany was checking out their blog.

I am posting pictures that I took today of various students and their projects.

1st Day of Google Project

Well, the LOHS band is off and running on the Google 20% project! There are great ideas that are coming from the band students and I'm am excited to see where this will lead to. My biggest concern is that everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to do something exciting, challenging, and fulfilling with their time. A few things for the students to know:

• The Title of your blog should be what your project is. Anyone should look at the title of your blog and know what you're doing! You can change your title by going to the design tab and changing your title.
• If there is a group of students doing one project, everyone must contribute to the blog.
• There could be many people looking at your blog. Make sure you don't write anything inappropriate.
• Use pictures! 
• Attach audio recordings/samplings on what you're doing.
• Be creative with your projects as well as your blogs.
• Have fun and enjoy the experience of a self-directed project.

1st Google Day Tomorrow

In class tomorrow we will have our first Google 20% day. Students will tell me what their projects are, begin work on their projects, and start working on their blogs. I'm very excited about what paths they will choose to further their music education!

Introducing The Project To My Classes

Today was the first day of classes at LOHS. Students got the chance to visit with friends and to meet the new students that moved into L.O. I also got the opportunity  to introduce the Google 20% project to my students. I used Google docs to present the material as well as linking up a video by G. Bundy that showed the background that he has with Google. Students now are thinking up ideas on what their projects will look like. Our next Google day is Monday September 19th where their declare what their projects are. This is going to be an awesome project!