Orff Mini-Conference: Sharing Day 2014, Saturday May 3rd

Orff Mini-Conference: Sharing Day 2014, Saturday May 3rd
"Read More" for Session Descriptions.

21st Century Learners
1A: Using Technology for Assessment in the Music Room: 
Connie Ohlmann and Tim Paetkau

Connie and Tim will share current and practical tried and tested ways to incorporate technology with assessment in the music room. Come explore some creative ways to use recording devices, tablets, Google Apps, and Gradebook, as well as others, to collect and record assessment information in your music room




Tim Paetkau - Back in the music room teaching K-2 music, Tim Paetkau is formerly the Music Consultant for Edmonton Public Schools. He received his Master of Education from the University of Alberta with an emphasis on music and phonemic awareness. Tim also studied his Orff Schulwerk at the University of Alberta, achieving Level 3 with Jos Wuytack. As a consultant, Tim presented on various topics relating to music. He has also presented on literacy and music at Orff workshops and in the school setting.

Connie Ohlmann - Connie Ohlmann has been teaching K-6 music for Edmonton Public Schools for the past twelve years, most recently at Florence Hallock School. She regularly integrates technology in her teaching and assessment practices in the music room. She completed her Orff Level 3 in 2010 and has been an active member on the Alberta Orff Chapter Executive for the past ten years.

1A: Jazz it up for June!: 
Tracy Stener (B. Mus., B.Ed. M.Ed.)
Tracy has found success with teaching her division two students an introduction Jazz and blues that includes music listening, music reading, recorder, keyboard/piano playing, improvisation and a composer study.
You will come away with a resource list of video/you tube suggestions, literature, handouts for jazz instruments (student handouts and bulletin board photos). A great unit for the end of the year that requires every student to explore and create music!
Tracy has been a music specialist for EPSB for 22 years. She completed Master Level Orff under the instruction of Jos Wuytack and completed an M. Ed. with a focus on integrating classroom music with movement and literacy goals within the classroom. She has co-authored three “Making Music Fun for the Little Ones” books (Publisher: Themes and Variations).

2A: Storytelling through First Nations Music and Celebration 
Melissa Purcell
First Nation communities throughout Canada have many different types of music and celebrations that are unique to their community and/or nation. The music and celebrations explored within this workshop will be focused on Pow Wows and Round Dances. During this workshop you will learn ways to explore Pow Wow and Round Dance through storytelling using movement and songs, bridging culture and curriculum to create an authentic learning experience. You will learn how to create this experience within your own classroom, as well as learn a few dance steps!

Melissa Purcell is from Smith’s Landing First Nation, Fort Smith, NT, and is a First Nations, Métis and Inuit Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools. She is passionate about pow wow dancing, particularly fancy shawl dancing, and spends many summers with her family on the “Pow Wow Trail”. She developed a First Nations Music and Celebration Edukit for educators to explore and appreciate the many components of Pow Wows and Round Dances, such as food, music, dance and traveling.’

2B: Song-Based Picture Books: Rationale, Research and Resources (focus on Kindergarten- Grade 2)
Janice Comrie
Song picture books are an engaging genre of literature and have often been used as a teaching tool in Primary and Music classrooms. They are engaging, fun and give students an opportunity to sing and read. I will share current research about the benefits of song picture books, how music and classroom teachers can collaborate to support music and literacy development, as well as resources (including websites and videos) for different grades. Come prepared to sing, move, collaborate and have fun!

Janice Comrie has been an Early Childhood and Music Educator (K-Gr 3) with Edmonton Public Schools for 25+ years. Her passion for using music in the classroom to support language and literacy skills has been recently fueled during her master’s studies and action research. She is a connected educator, always looking for new ways to support playful learning.

3: Traditional Singing Games for Elementary Kids
Jody Stark
Back in the days before TV, kids went outside to play with each other. Kick the can, sardines, skipping, jacks–these were all common childhood games that many of us might remember nostalgically from our own childhoods. A musical pastime that is found in every culture is that of childhood singing games. Teaching singing games is a chance to initiate kids into the joys of this disappearing traditional practice created by children for children. Not only are these games a lot of fun, they incorporate singing with movement and provide opportunities for spontaneity and self-expression. In this session, participants will learn a variety of singing games to incorporate into their K-6 music programs and will also be provided with some suggestions of curricular connections that could be taught through this repertoire. Come prepared to dance, sing, and play, and maybe even relive a little of your own childhood.

A music educator who is passionate about ensuring every child has access to a quality music education, Jody Stark studied music and music education in Hungary, at the University of Calgary, and at the University of Alberta. Jody has taught music and choir for many years in elementary schools in both English and French, and is currently a university instructor in music and education at Concordia University College of Alberta. In addition to her work at Concordia, she has also taught music education and the pedagogy component of a certified Kodály levels program which she helped to start at the U of A, and is the former Executive Director of the award-winning Singspiration/Inspiration for Teachers program. Ms. Stark is currently pursuing her PhD in Music Education at the University of Alberta.