North Shore Music Together

I often wonder how my little graduates are doing.

Here's an update on me. :)Ms. App

Below is an inserted article from North Shore News - Dec. 14, 2011.

Music Together instructor Caroline App helps toddlers and children under five make music with their parents. The Music Together program began in New Jersey in 1987 and has spawned an international movement of intergenerational music teaching. App brought it to the North Shore earlier this year.

Photograph by: NEWS photo, Mike Wakefield

HANDS wave in the air as the sound of drums and music fills the room.

But this isn't your typical musical show. The Highlands United Church has been taken over by a group of parents and children bouncing to the melodies of Music Together, a program that introduces kids under five years old to the joys of music.

While the babies and toddlers singing and playing in this class might not be masters of piano or guitar, instructor Caroline App says the course is the foundation to a lifelong appreciation of making and enjoying all kinds of music.

"We're dancing, we're singing, we're playing instruments: egg shakers, drums, tambourines, triangles," says App, a kindergarten teacher currently taking a break from full-time teaching to raise her four boys.

"You're building in music skills at a young age when it's still the best time to get the kids, they are learning their pitch, how to do their tonalities and their rhythms."

She first became aware of the Music Together program attending the class in Vancouver herself, but on moving to the North Shore she realized there's a big gap in the offerings in North Vancouver. That lead her to start the Music Together program in September this year, and in January she's adding an extra class to bring in more kids.

The Music Together program began in New Jersey in 1987 and has spawned an international movement of intergenerational music teaching. All instructors, including App, have taken a course on the specific program.

The classes mix ages up to five years old, and give parents or caregivers the chance to play with their kids, as App says that's the best way for the young ones to learn. It means parents with multiple children can bring both to the same class, and "the younger kids are also learning from the older kids," she adds.

"It's a lovely beginning because it's informal and it addresses or reaches all learning styles and it's multi-sensory, and as a kindergarten teacher I love that."

Included in the price, parents get to take home a songbook with CDs that can be played at home.

The classes are available Monday and Wednesday mornings and last 45 minutes each. The cost for the winter session - three months starting in January - is $140 for the first child and $90 for any siblings over six months old. Siblings under six months are free, and the primary caregiver can bring another parent, aunt, uncle or family friend at no cost.

To register or for more information, visit www.northshoremusictogether.com or by phoning App at 7788995004.

tholloway@nsnews.com

© Copyright (c) North Shore News

Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/Parents+tots+make+music+together/5858022/story.html#ixzz1hEV6Ej6w

The School Year is Over!

Summer's Here! Summer's here!

Another year of school is at an end.

We've learned a lot and grown a lot and made a lot of friends.

We read books, wrote cards, and counted all year long.

We even put on a show or two with lots of catchy songs!

Now it's time for the final goodbye; it's time for us to part.

But we'll remember our experiences and keep each other in our hearts.

I hope everyone enjoys the summer. Please send me any other photos you wish to share and I'll post them on the blog.

I miss you all.

Love Mrs. App

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers reading this. Yes, I mean my mom too! The kindies enjoyed making special gifts for their moms this week. I hope everyone has a joyful weekend. Perhaps some of you will even have a rest!
Love Mrs. App

There Is So Much Going On!

The Walkathon was a great success! Both classes made the long treck to Almond Park. Thank you to the parents who sent me some wonderful pictures. Stay tuned...I will will add other photos from our adventure soon.
Here's what's been going on this week:

1) Goodbye Calendars. Hello Morning Activities.
Now that the children have learned the skill of using a morning calendar, next year's grade one teachers are thrilled. Now it's time for us to have some Spring Fun. We will start the morning with desk activities that develop finger strength, but are more engaging. It's our last two months in kindergarten and we want the start of the day to be inviting and welcoming.

2) THE BIG ONE AT TWO.
The entire school is having an Earthquake drill at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 8.
We will be sitting outside for up to an hour during the drill. Please make sure your child brings appropriate clothing for the weather, a sun hat, and sun screen. At nice big snack and a bottle of water or drink is essential. We will not be able to access a drinking fountain during the drill.

3) Friday Jazz Performance.
On Friday, the morning class will go to the 11:00 am music performance in the gymnasium. If we are a little tardy getting back to class, you know where we are!

4) Are you mother picking up your kindergarten child on Friday? Be prepared to close your eyes while helping your child bring home their Mother's day project for you. It could be tricky!

Don't stop reading yet.
Next week is a BIG ANOTHER ONE!

1) Wednesday, May 14 is a regular Kindergarten day. As usual, there is NO class in the afternoon. Families with older siblings will know that this is different for the older grades. Our change will be on Friday. So, Wednesday the same as always for us.

2) SPORTS DAY!
Believe it or not it is almost here! The Day of Sport is on Friday, May 16.
BOTH CLASSES will attend the morning session. There is NOT school in the afternoon. Division 14 will make up their extra minutes for the week by attending the morning class.

Division 14 and 15 will arrive at school 8:45 am. Come to class and read posted information. The classes will be divided into teams and one class will meet in the carpeted area to avoid chaos in Rm 002. PLEASE do not roll in late on sports day since the day gets going quickly.

We aim to finish at 11:15 am. We will return to the class and carpeted area for pick up.

WE NEED AS MANY PARENT VOLUNTEERS AS POSSIBLE!!!

Please let me know if you can help out. It is great fun. The children love to share the day with parents.
Let's all hope for good weather!
Love Mrs. App

VERY IMPORTANT!

A couple times this year, I've seen products with peanuts slip into lunches in the classroom. It's been a long time since September when parents were told about allergies in the class. We also have four new students who joined Kindergarten since January. I've noticed the children share food more than they did in the past. It nice to see them genuinely wanting to share, but it does raise the danger for an allergic child. With that in mind, I believe it's my responsibility to post the following.

This is an important reminder that one of our students has a severe allergy to peanuts and other nuts that could result in a life-threatening situation. Any contact with even a small trace of nuts, tasting, touching or smelling, could be life threatening to this child. Because of the seriousness of this allergy, PLEASE DO NOT SEND PEANUTS, PEANUT BUTTER, NUT PRODUCTS OR FOODS WHICH MAY CONTAIN NUTS in your child's snacks or lunches or party foods. In addition, if your child has eaten peanut butter (or other nut or nut product) prior to coming to school, please assure that they have brushed their teeth and washed their hands and faces. Thank you for keeping all of our kids safe!

In hindsight, I realize I was less worried when Michelle was in the classroom. Since we no longer have our own paramedic, I will have to be more alert!

Thank you,
Caroline

Principal Days

My three days as principal were busy, yet delightful. It was a wonderful chance to move around and see the entire school in action. All the children we kind and welcoming whenever I passed them outside, in the halls, or in their classes. Make sure to take a peek below at the serenade by the intermediate students. Enjoy the clip above and view the school through my eyes. It's no secret what a special group of students we have.
Love Mrs. App

Class News - April 28

Hello everyone! I'm excited to be back in the class this week. I'm sure Ms. Hardie explained the Walk-A-Thon to everyone. Still, I need to point out that the PLEDGE FORMS ARE DUE ON MONDAY APRIL 28. That's now! Please pledge a flat amount rather than a per km amount.
Our walk-a-thon will be done as a class on Friday, 2. We will do two big walks separately with each class. We will not be able to do the HUGE walk that the rest of the school is doing for two reasons.
1) The morning class would miss it all together.
2) It is FAR too long for our kindergarten children. Even the walk to the starting point at Jericho is too far for us!

Here is the present walk-a-thon plan. We hope to have the school cheer the both the morning and afternoon class cheer us on as we leave. The morning class will aim to depart at 9:00 am. The afternoon class will aim to leave at 1:00 pm. We will walk with volunteers mostly along side streets all the way up to Almond Park. We will stay about 20 minutes at the playground. Children who are exhausted can rest up before we return for the second leg of the walk. Children will have a chance to eat their snack at the park. Any children with lots of energy, can take full advantage of the playground. We will then return to school taking the same route.

REMEMBER: We need as many volunteers as possible to walk with the class for safety reasons. Please send a snack with your child on Friday. Thank you.
Love Mrs. App

An Afternoon Performance

On Thursday, April 24, the afternoon class had a chance to see a musical performance called Honk! The Arts Umbrella Musical Theatre Troop performed it for us in the gymnasium. It was an variation of the The Ugly Duckling story.
It was a little long for our little ones, but they seemed to enjoy the music and dancing. Ask them about it? I think my favourite part was the frog dance.
Love Mrs. App

Parent Matters

Thank you to Deborah MacNamara who donated her time last week to speak to a group of our parents. Deb is wealth of knowledge with anecdotes that ring true for all parents and teachers. I always find her words help me see the world through the eyes of a child, and in turn increase my patience and understanding.

During the workshop, I suspect most parents found that learning about counterwill was like finding a secret map to children's behaviour. Once we understand a child's instinctive and developmentally healthy need to refuse to do what adults ask when they are not collected, our frustration dissolves. (Well, at least a little.) Yet, at the same time, when a child begins to rebuke a no and the adult changes circumstances to avoid a struggle or disappointment, the child is then placed in the lead. Research shows that children who are placed in the lead have increasing anxieties which leads to more challenging behaviour. There is a message of safety and being taken care of when parents take the lead and assure the child that they know what they are doing - they are the child's best bet. So as parents and teachers we act as a double agent, being both the wall of futility and the angel of comfort. Through this support and guidance, our children may have tears around not getting what they want, yet the comfort gives birth to acceptance and resilience.
How do we avoid soliciting counterwill?
By coming along side a child, collecting them, and guiding them, our children are eager to do our bidding. (I can best explain this in person.) As Deb mentioned, chapter seven in Hold on to Your Kids goes over strategies that don't divide or damage relationships with parents. (I could elaborate here, but it's not wise to let children read about the "magic.") Do check her blog for workshop dates for Neufeld's Relationship Matters Presentation and Deb's The Trouble with Time Outs presentation. www.deborahmacnamara.blogspot.com


I am continually amazed at all the parents of the kindergarten students. Every day I see how you strive to do the best for your children and reach into your hearts for caring and warmth to address inquiries or quivering lips, help with calendar activities, read books, and even tend to stuck shoes and zippers. You send your children off with great hugs and I love yous. Then you open your arms wide at the end of the day for them to rush in. (This is indeed the case, for parents picking their children up in K class or next door at JKC.) I must also add, that you have all been wonderful matchmakers for me and your children. You take the time to make sure they have a chance for my eye contact, hand, or voice, before you ever leave. Since they know you like and trust me, they instinctively feel the same way and turn to me for answers in your absence. It is your graciousness and wisdom to do this that gives me the power to teach.
Thank you.
Love Mrs. App
(I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm a little teary after printing that. I truly do love my job and teaching these two classes.)