Music Community Website:  https://sites.google.com/view/sarahsaskinca/new

Music Teacher: Ms. Saskin Email:  sarah.saskin@tdsb.on.ca

Program: K-8 General Music

Duration: Each class receives one 40 minute period of music instruction over a 5 day cycle.  

Program Focus

The grade K-6 students will learn music through the Orff approach.  The Orff teaching and learning approach encourages students to build on their prior knowledge and understanding of musical concepts and skills through speaking in rhythm, rapping, moving, singing, and playing instruments (e.g., xylophones, hand drums, maracas, shakers and sticks).  The best songs learned throughout the school year will be shared at the Winter Music Concert in December. 

Grade 7 and 8 students will explore different units of inquiry (e.g., Bucket drumming, Music Theory, Guitar, Piano, Voice, Composition, History).  Students will learn how to dissect concepts found in the repertoire they are singing (analytical process).  Throughout these units, they will also have opportunities to compose their own music (creative process).  

Through on-going conferencing (e.g., practise, feedback), the program aims to help students develop a stronger sense of confidence when making music in a community and independent practice.  Students’ talents, passions and interests will drive the program.

Music Community Rules

1. Enter room quietly - Point 1

2. Listen attentively - Point 2

3. Good effort - Point 3

4. Exit the room quietly - Point 4

Get keys coloured in on your class keyboard and earn a music party!

Classes work as a team to achieve all 4 points.  If a class gets four points for all four of the Music Community Rules, then they get a key coloured in on their class keyboard.  One primary, one junior and one intermediate class will get a party at the end of term 1.  The keyboards are wiped clean and the process begins again from February to June.  Another party for one primary class, one junior class and one intermediate class. is given out in June.

Music Community Consequences:
Phone call home to discuss how your child could be more successful in the music room.

What to Bring to Music Class:  
Nothing. Music sheet music, pencils and erasers will be provided by Ms. Saskin. 

Extra-Curriculars

September - December

• Waterfall Choir (Grades 1-4) -  Thursdays at lunch recess

• Mini-musical "Bring on the Snow!" (Grade 1-6) - Grade 4-6 Drama Club formed after auditions

Co-curricular Music Activities Led by Ms. Bouts (String Teacher) and Mr. Samatoka (Band Teacher)

February - May

• String Orchestra (Grade 7-8) -  One 40 minute rehearsal per week during school time. Led by Ms. Tatianna Bouts. Optional program.

• Concert Band (Grade 7-8) -  One 40 minute rehearsal per week during school time. Led by Mr. Michael Samatoka. Optional program.

Performance Opportunities

🥀  Remembrance Day Assembly: Tuesday, November 11. Students involved in the Grade 1-4 "Waterfall Choir" will perform.

 ❄️  Kindergarten Winter Music Concert: December 2026.

🦁 Mini-Musical: May 9 & 10. All Grade 1-6 students, Grade 1-6 Choir + Drama Club.

🌱  Spring Concert: May 2026. Grades 7-8 Band and String students, as well as Grade 5-8 Driftwood Choir and Grade 5-8 Guitar Club will be invited to perform.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment for learning occurs at the beginning of a teaching and learning period.  Assessment for learning is when a teacher gathers information to determine learning goals, and how a learner will best achieve those learning goals.  Assessment as learning happens over a long period of time.  Assessment as learning is when a teacher and student set goals, give feedback (self-evaluations, peer evaluations), and reflect on learning goals and accomplishments.  Assessment of learning takes place towards the end of a music teaching and learning period.  Assessment of learning is when a teacher summarizes a student's progress based on specific criteria and communicates the information to parents and guardians (e.g., report cards).

Parent Volunteers

Please send me an email if you can help in any of the following ways: 

• Visit and Share Music from  your culture or your musical background (e.g., photos, videos, instrument(s), live performances, stories).  

• Re-string the class set of guitars hanging in the Music and Drama Studio.

• Photograph music students playing and/or singing music, who have been given permission to be photographed through our school's media release forms. These photos will be used for this website, and for a MusiCounts Band Aid grant application.  If we are honoured with this grant, Lanor could receive $5000-10,000 worth of Orff instruments (e.g., xylophones, drums, ukuleles).  This grant would predominantly benefit students in grades 1-6. 

• Fundraise for a music field trip and/or music workshop, or sign up in advance to be a volunteer supervisor on a music field trip. sarah.saskin@tdsb.on.ca 

Curriculum Expectations
The Ontario Arts Curriculum Document for Grades 1-8 (2009 Revised) can be found here:

2024-2025 Long Range Music Plans

Note: Students receive one 40 minute period of music per week.  The Long Range Plans shown below are based on two 40 minute periods of music per week. Therefore, not every song will be covered in these Long Range Plans. Thank you for your understanding.  Grade 7 and 8 program subject to change based on the interests and passions of the students.