Oct 20th

Students in Grade 5 are writing a letter to the Minister of Transportation on whether there should be a highway and garbage dump built in between their two imaginary cities. Students will work through a rough copy in their notebooks then will work on a good copy. 

Good Copy is Due

Due Monday October 26th for Mrs. Carnovale's class

Due Tuesday October 27th for Mrs. Casciato's class

Sept 30th

Grade 3 (Dempsey) - Read the story of the urban and rural mouse linked here

Choose the 6 most important parts of the story. For example 

1. Cecile visits Martha at the farm.

2. ____

3. ____

4. ____

5. ____

6.  Martha returns to the farm.

Sept 29th

Grade 7/8 - Don't forget to check September 22nd for the previous work that is also due.

The Great Music Debate 

Students choose TWO of the debate prompts from our previous lesson and write a full paragraph (4–5 sentences each) defending their position:

• Debate 1: Everyday Sounds
  Can everyday sounds (like rain falling, a basketball bouncing, or a subway train) be considered music? Why or why not? What separates "noise" from "music"?

• Debate 2: "Good" vs. "Bad" Music
  If a song sounds like unpleasant noise to you, but the artist created it intentionally, is it still music? Does music have to sound good to be considered music?

• Debate 3: Instruments & Words
  Does music require instruments or words to be real music? Can a song made entirely of human voice beats (beatboxing) or humming carry as much meaning as a full orchestra or rock band?

• Debate 4: Why Humans Make Music
  Why have humans made music in every culture across history? Identify 3 distinct reasons (e.g., celebration, emotional healing, storytelling) and explain them.

Song Deep-Dive Breakdown 

Students select ONE song from their personal playlist (their hype song, comfort song, or memory song) and analyze it in writing:

1. Title & Artist

2. Tempo & Feel: Is the pace fast, medium, or slow? Is the energy high, calm, or tense?

3. Sound Profile: What instruments or vocal styles do you hear in this track? (e.g., heavy bass, fast drums, soft piano, rap, electric guitar).

4. Emotional Impact (4–5 sentences): Why does this specific song affect you the way it does? What memory, image, or feeling pops into your head every time you hear it?

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket 

Students copy and complete these 3 sentences at the bottom of their page before handing in their paper (next week):

1. Today I realized that music...

2. One instrument or skill I really want to try when we start real instruments is...

3. One thing I can bring or contribute to this music class is...

Sept 28th and 29th

Grade 5 - Drama Character Questions

1. How old are you?

2. If you are old enough to have a job, what do you do?

3. How long have you lived in this community?

4. What type of a home do you have?

5. With whom do you live? Do you have a family? Children? If so, how old are they?

6. What distinguishes your community from others?

7. How do you feel about the citizens of the other community?

8. How do you contribute to your community personally?

Sept 24th and 25th

Grade 3 (Clarke and Dempsey)

Postcards - Students will draw a picture of a place that they have visited and on the back/next page in their book will write. a 4 sentence letter to a family member or friend telling them about their trip to their choice of destination.

Sept 22nd

Grade 7/8

WHAT IS MUSIC?

TODAY'S QUESTION:

What is music, and what does it mean to you?

In your notebook, write:

Music is...

Finish that sentence 3 different ways.

Don't worry about whether your answers are "right."

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOU

In your notebook, answer:

1. What is one song you could listen to over and over? Why?

2. What song reminds you of a person, place, or memory? Explain.

3. What song would you play if you needed to get pumped up? Why?

4. What artist or band do you think everyone should hear at least once? Why?

5. What type of music do you usually listen to?

6. What type of music do you NOT usually listen to? Why?

ABOUT YOU AS A MUSICIAN 

Answer these:

Have you ever played an instrument? If yes, what?

Have you ever performed in front of people?

Have you ever made a song, beat, remix, or piece of music?

What is ONE thing you would like to learn or try in music this year?

Due September 29th to use towards next assignment.

Sept 16-17th

Gr 5 (Carnovale/Casicato) - Students in groups are picking a story, choosing the 6 most important parts of the story and recreating it in tableaux form. 

Due: Carnovale - Monday September 21st, Casciato - Friday September 18th