May 2018 issue 32 (digital) by Kids Standard

www.kidsstandard.org

I S S U E 3 2 | M A Y 2 018

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Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

F E AT U R E

Index: Feature..................................................2 Editorial Calendar...............................3 Music.....................................................4 Band......................................................6 Instruments..........................................7 History..................................................8 Genres...................................................9 Non Fiction..........................................9 Voice....................................................10 Poetry..................................................12 Art........................................................16 Wellbeing............................................18 Educators............................................22 Parent’s Corner..................................23

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The Power of Music

hen The Sound of Music was released in 1965, it became an immediate sensation, earning five Oscars. The film’s success can be attributed to a number of factors - a moving story, beautiful scenery, and of course, exceptional music. Music is the real star of this movie. Maria, the main character, uses music to relate to children, to ease their worries, to stand up to injustice, and even to plan an escape. The title of the movie points at one important theme of this film - the incredible power that music holds over human beings. Research shows that when children extensively and actively engage with music, it often produces functional changes in how their brains process information. Early in child development, these alterations can lead to permanent changes in the way information is processed. There is evidence that one’s musical abilities correspond with his or her speaking and reading abilities. Children who receive music instruction in kindergarten, for example, show considerably larger gains in phonemic awareness than their counterparts with no consistent exposure to music. The role of music is even more interesting when it comes to the development of reading skills. Children who learn music

Arina Bokas

Kids’ Standard Editor & Author of Building Powerful Learning Environments: From Schools to Communities

show significantly better vocabulary and verbal sequencing scores. According to Susan Hallam from Institute of Education in University of London, “Learning to discriminate differences between tonal and rhythmic patterns and to associate their perceptions with visual symbols seems to have transferred to improved phonemic awareness.” Music affects our mood, perceptions, memory, intellectual development, learning abilities, coordination, and many other aspects of our being. Our May issue “The Sound Of Music” shares children’s perspectives on the role of music in their lives. Enjoy!

Reference: Hallam, S. “The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people.” International Journal of Music Education 28(3) 269–289 DOI: 10.1177/0255761410370658

College Admission Essay and SAT Coaching • • • • •

College Common Application Essay Supplemental College Essay Scholarship Application Essay SAT Essay Preparation SAT Reading and Writing Preparation

Writing Coaching • Resume and Cover Letter • General Writing Tutoring

Arina Bokas, Ph.D. Ø Author, college writing instructor, editor Ø Frequent contributor to national publications and instructional blogs – ASCD, International Literacy Association, NCTE, Harvard University’s Good Project and Out of Eden.

For more information or scheduling: arinabokas@aol.com

Phone: 248-330-2408

E D I TO R I A L C A L E N DA R

2017-2018 Editorial Calendar

June 2018

(Summer 2018 (digital only) – The Break!) What do you like about a summer break? Do you think you can learn during summer while having a break? Share your advice and experiences. Offer recommendations on activities that families can do in summer) .

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Kids’ Standard’s Camp “Writing through Learning & Learning through Writing” Using critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication will builds confidence. Camp Locations: (Bloomfield/ Bloomfield Public Library, Clarkston/ Renaissance High School, Lake Orion/ Sims Blanche Elementary, Auburn Hills/ Auburn Elementary, Rochester Hills/ Public Library, and Pontiac/ Public Library)

One session: 5 days

Space limited Two sessions: 10 days Price: $400 ($40/day)

Early Bird sign up

Sign up by April 31, you will receive $50 discount Whether it is telling your own story or doing scientific investigation, it takes much more than just sitting behind a computer. It takes slowing down, thinking, noticing, questioning, and exploring. We will get up and go! This five or 10 days camp will provide participants with an opportunity to embark on a first-hand investigation of their hometown. During the first two days, children will do preliminary research and, guided by thinking maps, explore the downtown, record observations, conduct interviews, and collect information for their stories. Days 3-4 will be dedicated to collaboration and writing. On Friday, all families will be invited to attend the last hour of the camp to walk through a gallery of stories and find out more about each story by talking to the writers. Students who attend the camp for 2 weeks, will practice art and will work on public speaking related to the project they worked on. At the end of the 2 weeks, we will ask the friends and families to come in and see the work the students have done. All stories will be presented to places featured in these stories and published in Kids’ Standard’s Camp electronic issue, shared with families and participants. The best stories will appear in Kids’ Standard’s September issue. Young journalists will need to bring their own lunch and snack. Bottled water, a notebook, pen, and small backpack will be provided. Please note that this camp will involve a walking trip downtown. Students will be divided in groups of four and have a high school mentor assigned to each group. Students Name: ______________________________ Grade (going to): ___________ School Attending: ________________________ Guardian: ____________________________ (relation) ___________________ Contact telephone number:________________________ Email Address: ________________________ Person will be picking up the child (If it’s different from the above person): ________________________ _____________________ Please drop off your child at 8:30 am and pick up your child at 4:30 pm. If there is any challenge with time please talk to, the attending teachers.

Please make the payment online at http://kidsstandard.org/services or mail a check made out to Kids Standard Publication to PO BOX 1442, Clarkston, MI 48347 For more information, contact Maggie@kidsstandard.org or call 248-410-3976

MAY 2018

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KMI DUSS ICCO R N E R

A World of Music By: Ember Morhman, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

here is music all around us, but we might not realize or understand that we are hearing it. For example, in fall our feet are crushing on the leaves as a beat. The birds are chirping and toads are croaking. The sound of people talking is music, too! Whether you live in a big city and hear cars honking day and night or you are by an ocean listening to the waves, you hear music of life. Even if you think your voice is bad, I bet you there is someone in the world who appreciates it! I like music because it is something to listen to when you are bored and something that can heal and inspire you!

By: Mariana Mares, 4th grade, Webber Elementary, Lake Orion

usic is something that can make you dance or feel in different ways. Some fast beats make me happy, while some slow beats can make me sad. Different beats change your feelings. Music-related talent is a natural gift in some people. Music can come through singing or playing an instrument. In “America’s Got Talent,” a lot of people sing to show that music is their talent or play instruments sometimes. It makes people feel special because they can express themselves. There are also different singers, whose

musical talent makes a difference for other people. I always feel really happy when my favorite song is being played on the radio. My favorite is Selena Perez. One of her songs is Dream of You, and it’s my favorite song. Music has meaning. It reflects our feelings and thoughts about things and events, and songwriters can write songs about them. My favorite genres are pop, metal, rock, latin, and country. Music is always different, every time, because if it were the same, we would have gotten tired of it.

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MUSIC

THE EARS TO

LISTEN By: Stella Dougherty, 4th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

bird chirps, a bee buzzes, a frog croaks: these are things that we often take for granted. But if you sit and listen, it will all transform into a symphony. It might as well be the best orchestra ever: The birds in woodwind, the frogs in percussion, and

MAY 2018

the insects in brass. Coming to the wild life orchestra would be miraculous. As the curtain rises, all of the audience silences. A few whispers of excitement float over the crowd like a thick fog. The spectacular music begins. It trickles through the air like a little stream. The audience is hypnotized by such a magnificent sound. And yet, even though it might seem it would cost a fortune to

attend this concert, you just need to go outside and close your eyes. When our eyes are closed, we can see a very elegant theatre. The rich velvet curtains surround the stage as anticipation is flooding it. The room is lit by a golden chandelier, with candles giving off a warm glow like a river giving water to the ocean. Nature has such beautiful music. We only need the ears to listen to it.

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BAND

BAND: A MELTING POT OF MUSIC By: Griffin Grava, 7th Grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

s the 2017-2018 school year comes to an end, this marks the second year I have been in band and, I must say, it has been a great experience. Playing in band is a slow (but fun) process that takes a lot of patience and practice. Back in the beginning of the 6th grade, it was all just for fun, but by the end of the year I found myself performing in concerts and playing

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serious pieces! I have even come to make a few friends in band. Being in band is good for people who like music and enjoy classical works. Band gets even more fun when you get the opportunity to go to events like Solo, Ensemble and Band Festival. Outside of these events, just learning about music and learning to play is very fun, and listening to the nice sounds you can play on your instrument is quite a treat. Another great part of band is all of the different types of music you learn to play. From marches to quiet classical songs, band is a melting pot of music. Music pieces can even focus on specific instruments, which gives your chosen instrument time to shine. All instruments are unique. Instruments like the Trombone and Suezephone are special instruments with special qualities. For example, the Trombone is the only instrument where a slide is used 100% of the time. The slide is two rods that fit inside each other. When you are making a sound, you can adjust the pitch by moving the slide up or down according to the notes on the music sheet. Something

that Trombones also can do is to make a sound called a glissando. A glissando is when you keep the slide moving without stopping the note. Basically, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than one sound in one note. The Sousaphone is cool because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an instrument you can wear! The Sousaphone is a type of Tuba with three buttons and different valves. The valves are used in various ways including tuning, in which an instrument like a Tuba or an Oboe plays a single note and the objective is to match the sound and tune to every instrument in the band. The Sousaphone is also a substitute for the Tuba in a marching band. In band you have the opportunity to go to camps where you can improve your skill and have fun with people from all over the state. Last year, when I had my first concert, I was a little worried about making mistakes, but I ended up having so much fun that I wanted to do it again. This led me to stay in band, which has become my passion. I have to say, band is an amazing opportunity to learn about music and grow as a person.

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INSTRUMENTS

My Instruments

By: Mathea Marcale, 4th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

play the piano and the violin. My instruments are really special to me in many ways. The reason I play two instruments is because my mom and

I made our own choices. When I was younger, my mom insisted that I took the piano; she would always say, ¨You will thank me one day.¨ I doubted that because I didn't enjoy the piano. Now I do understand what she meant since it is becoming easier. The violin is the instrument of my choice. I begged my mom to

PIANO

are very proud of me. I have my first concert in June, and I have a duet with my little brother. It’s difficult to play the piano with my brother because we don't practice together a lot, but we are starting to get the hang of it.

By: Jenna Robin, 4th grade Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

hen I was younger, my older brother played the piano and performed at concerts, so my mom went to one of his concerts and recorded it. When she came home, she played his music, and I really liked it. I began learning to play the piano when I was six years old, in kindergarten. My mom payed for me to take lessons every week. After a couple of

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assign me to a teacher so I could learn how to play it . It is really fun. I encourage people to try. Both of the instruments that I play are equally beautiful, and I enjoy playing them. In the future it’s going to be more fun because the more I know the better I can play. The reason my instruments are special to me is that playing them takes me in the moment and calms me down when I am having a bad day. Also, it’s a really good opportunity to be able to play and learn two instruments. When our fourth grade class went to Detroit Symphony Orchestra, we heard all kinds of music. We heard musicians plucking their instruments and that's where I learned the science of music vibrations. So I learned a lot on that trip. An instrument can be a lot of things. There is science that goes into making them. In my music class we watched a video about a country where people make their instruments out of trash. That made me realize that music can be anything - any sounds or made out of anything.

lessons, though, I got frustrated because I did not know anything about piano and it was hard. Once I learned at least two songs, it was not fustaiting any more. Every time I moved to a new level, it got a little harder, but I kept trying. When I play songs for my family, they love hearing the music and they

The best type of songs to play on the piano are folk songs because they sound beautiful and they have a soft tone. My favorite song is “Clementine” because it has a beautiful tune “the bear went over the mountain.” It has a medium calm pitch. I recommend that you play the piano because it is a beautiful instrument and it is good for your hands. It has taught me a lot, and it’s very fun to play.

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INSTRUMENTS

RECORDER By: Katie Jakubiak, 5th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

n fourth grade we learned how to play the recorder as part of our music class. We learned how to play different notes. Then we learned how to put those notes together to play a few songs. At the end of the year we had to make up our own song with a partner. Our teacher asked us to use a familiar melody and change the words to make a new song. My partner, Erica, and I used the “Hot Cross Buns” melody to make up our new recorder song. We had a lot of fun making up our song, and it was a good way to practice our recorder too!

two a penny hot cross buns

Both songs use the same notes: b,a,g b,a,g g,g,g a,a,a b,a,g Here are the original “Hot Cross Buns” lyrics, or words: hot cross buns hot cross buns one a penny

Here are the lyrics Erica and I made up: recorder a recorder g we e e e Love to play them every day If you are learning or already know how to play the recorder, we hope you enjoy our version of the “Hot Cross Buns” recorder song!

H I S TO R Y

What Makes Music Music? By: Nikoletta Simmons, 4th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

usic is present in every known culture, past and present. Since all people of the world have some form of music, it has probably been present as long as people existed. The first music may have been invented in Africa 8

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and then evolved from there. The oldest type of music to survive is a Greek tune known as “Seikilos Epitaph.” This is the oldest surviving complete musical composition from anywhere in the world. It is dated variously from around 200 BC to around AD 100. Guido D’Arezzo, an Italian music theorist of the Medieval era, developed modern musical notation - the vocal note scale do ray mi fa so la ti do. This made a huge difference in how we compose and read music. Nowadays, there are many genres of music. They include rock, country, pop,

jazz, hip hop, latin, electronic, R&B, classical, indie, folk, metal, blues, and a lot more. The world listens to a lot of different genres of music. Music has a strong effect on people. We just cannot help it. This is because everything we say is basically music. We all have different voices; like in musicals, they speak while singing. We are always making music with our different voices. Music is also very motivating. It can make us want to dance and want to move. Everyone has a special type of music he or she likes. My favorite song is Wait by Maroon 5.

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GENRES

ROCK AND COUNTRY By: Kaelyn Nardi, 4th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

op, bop, pap dap. It’s music! Who doesn’t love music! There are many kinds of music. They are called genres. A genre is a musical form or musical style; there are dozens of them - from folk music to classical music to various contemporary music. Two of them are my favorites. They are country and rock. Country music is my favorite out of

all the genres. There are a lot of country songs, but there is one specific song that I always hear and really like - “Cotton Eyed Joe.” This song makes me happy. At school, in gym, we even do a dance to go with it: heel, heel, toe, toe side front, side back step, clap, step, clap, circle. I love country music because of its tune and rhythm. I like to sit in the car on a rainy day listening to country music. Make way, rock the day! Rock is my second favorite type of music. There is one song I will never forget - “Life Is A Highway.” This song is the best song ever. It makes me feel really good when I am sad because it is an exciting song. There is another song that makes me happy. It’s called “The Summer of 69.” I

love this song because it makes me think of summer and anticipate exciting things that I will be doing. Rock can sometimes be inappropriate, but it is a fun genre of music. These two genres are different, but they are also alike. Sometimes, songs can sound like rock, but they are country songs, and the other way around. There can also be songs that are rock and country together! This makes sense to me because rock and country are very much alike. This is because when you are listening to country, it has this beat to it that makes it country. Rock has a similar tune (not the exact same) to country. So, if you like a song with a cool tune, check out rock and country. They are right for you!

and focused on the question “How do I get my family back? “ Suddenly, deep down, I heard the comforting music of my mom’s voice vibrating throughout my entire body, “Stay calm and stay wherever you are.” Even though I was scared, my mom’s voice in my head gave me strength. Now, I understood why she had always talked with my brother and me about the “what if’” scenarios. It was obvious that she wanted to prepare us for the worst situations. I stayed calm and tried to worked on my options. I finalised two options in my mind. First, look for a person in a uniform. Second, do not let anyone come to know about the situation I were facing. Soon enough, I could hear a distant chord that sounded so familiar: “Bianca! Bianca!”At that moment, these lovely

words were like a song of joy. The boy who was yelling my name was no other than my brother. Then, out of bluemoon, my mom came and hugged me so tightly that I could barely breathe.The thought of being back with my family gave me goosebumps and eyes full of tears. After a moment, my big brother busted out, “Bianca, you gotta check your pockets! There is something that I think you need to know!” I pulled out and stared at a rectangular device. “It’s called a phone! Both of you have one just in case you get lost,” my mom replied. While walking back to the house, everyone could tell that I wasn’t the same person anymore. My brother even pointed out by saying, “Look how Bianca is walking not running.” That night, not only did I finally realize the importance of the family, but also learned a very important lesson of my life that I wouldn’t forget. I learned that staying calm is the best option when you are in an unfamiliar situation. I decided to hang a poster in my room to remind me of this scary incident, stating the lesson I learned: DO NOT PANIC.

NON FICTION

TAJ MAHAL By: Bianca Chandel, 6th grade, Avondale Middle School,

Auburn Hills

t twilight, holding each other’s hands, my family members and I were walking curiously to witness the beauty of Taj Mahal. The full moon was eager to pop out and illuminate the monument by its pure white rays, when, suddenly, everything went dark in front of me. My brain froze because I couldn’t feel my mom’s cozy, warm, protective hands holding my cold little palms. I could only hear disturbing chords of untamed, unknown, unfamiliar voices. As my internal smoke began to clear out, I realized: “I’m all alone in this whole wide world.” “What if I never ever unite with my family?” was the thought that ringed the loudest and made me burst into millions of tears. I gathered all my thoughts together, pushed back the recurring ring,

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VO I C E

A CAPPELLA By: Olivia Spitznas, 4th Grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

started singing A Cappella when I was about nine. I joined an A Cappella boot camp with a couple of my friends. The first day of our camp we learned to beatbox, and my friend Ava and I were probably the best at it! On the second day, we had auditions to be able to sing our performances at Clarkston Idol. After the auditions, we just had to wait to see

who got picked. The next day, my mom showed me the email: my friend and I were among the selected kids! We were so excited when we found out! While everyone was eating dinner at camp, the soloists got called back to the stage. I was very nervous because after we had sung our parts, coach Brody was going to pick who did it best. Once we all sang

it together, he loved it, and no person was cut from the solos. I ended up getting a part that surprised me, but it was fun. I ended up having to rap, but I also sang with my best friend. A Cappella was so fun because I got to learn how to concentrate. I learned this by having to sing my part of a song while other people were doing their parts. I learned that I can be a better singer by controlling my pitch and dynamics. Singing in A Cappella is especially fun when my friends and I sing together. I want to sing in Detroit Voice, Synergy, and the A Cappella group in middle school. Being a good singer can give you lots of opportunities, and it has its benefits, like being known and getting first class cookies! I've always wanted to be either a teacher or a famous singer. I love singing, and it makes me so happy. Even though it scares me to sing in front of people, I still do it because I like to share my voice with people.

Pentatonix By: Michelle Ho, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

entatonix is an a cappella group, which mean that singers use only their voices and no instruments. Pentatonix sings such songs as Havana, Radioactive, 10

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Deck the Halls, Silent Night, Hallelujah, White Winter Hymnal, and many others. They also do hand actions. Pentatonix comes from Arlington, Texas, and consists of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee. Their debut was EP PTX, Volume 1 in 2012,

followed by their holiday release PTXmas the same year. Pentatonix's third release, PTX, Vol. II, became #1 hit on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. This group received Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2017 and YouTube Music Awards Response of the Year in 2013. www.KidsStandard.org

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POETRY Dirt was crawling up my fingertips

Broken Bottle Pass

Every time they reached the mountainside,

Left, right, left, up, down, right, up

My feet felt like they were skating on ice

My feet were growing heavier and heavier

As I grasped for anything to hold on to.

OUCH!

Meanwhile, the sun pounded on my body.

By: Andrew Sesti, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

My Dad, my brother, and I had only one decision to make, Left or right? After a few minutes of pondering, We decided to take a left. As we started to climb up the Hollywood Mountains, Trying to get to the Hollywood Sign, I started to realize how steep it was getting. I began to dig my hands into the ground,

Or else they would be pierced with glass

My brother and Dad, were feeling the same and more 20 feet away from me, but it felt like a galaxy, All of us sweating gallons as we continued our climb, My thirst was unbearable, and it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help to be Covered a mile high with dirt.

A piece of glass had ripped right through my skin, Blood began to gush out at an exponential rate. I slammed it into the dirt Knowing I had to reduce the bleeding So that I could trudge on. After an eternity more of treacherous climbing We finally made it to the top,

There were nasty shards of glass EVERYWHERE!

The Hollywood Sign, Only 4.7 MILES AWAY!!!

I had to calculate where to put my hands with every step

Another journey begins.

and as fast

I ran

as my feet could take me

And ran

She was gaining on me

But I tripped

I looked back

And I Tumbled

I Ran Away By: Emily Valencia, 6th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

I ran I ran away I ran The lake got further away And I ran My heart Was throbbing and my feet Were aching Yet I ran Ran as far

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And I ran faster than i ever had before Then she tapped me Zigzagging

on the shoulder

Left and Right

And said â&#x20AC;&#x153;You're it!

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POETRY Everyday Music

Or, music is soft and a complete understatement.

By: Gigi Montgomery,

Bright and bold, flowing through the air,

5th grade, Independence Elementary,

Music is truly, truly everywhere.

Clarkston

Music is here and music is there,

Music is here all through time,

feel down low. Bright and bold, flowing through the air, Music is truly, truly everywhere. Somehow, music is everywhere. From every street lamp to backyard,

Music is truly everywhere.

From your birth date and even if your a mime.

Music comes here and music can go,

In French stories and American too,

Music can help you learn and grow.

All through life, music comes to you.

Music is loud and bold, makes a statement

When music is here it seems to flow, From the darkest days and when you

Would look for the music?

The Skillful Slide

teammate Tyler

It flew towards the net

He reared up to kick, his foot lined up, and grazed the side of the ball

It bounced low, kicking up dirt in its path

Tapping it in another direction

I hoped for another goal, to add on to our devastating lead

A feeling of twisted happiness came over me

It seemed like nothing was moving but the ball and the goalie

He missed

The ball took a final bounce towards the goal,

By: Robby Spencer, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

It was time The pitch went silent as the ball was set for a corner kick It felt like time stopped

But now I had a chance to score

Breathing Halted Everyone was awaiting the ball

Now the ball started dribbling towards me

My teammate Lucas kicked it high towards the penalty box

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much time to react,

Everyone was trying to be the one to get the goal

I hit it with the outside of my foot clipping a piece of it

The blue ball was booted towards my

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sliding toward the ball

Music is everywhere. But, sometimes you have to look for the music in these places.

As the goalie threw his body the other way Slowly, slowly, slowly, it rolled into the net The sideline exploded into loud cheers My teammates rallied around me As we knew We won this game

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POETRY

Turning the Corner By: Gwendolyn Kohl, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

There was only a wall between us,

The vibration telling that you had lost.

I swing around the corner,

The color was drained from my big heavy vest,

Not even noticing to see who there. The only thing I see, Is a blue flashing vest,

My heart is racing I know someone is there. I can hear the movement of a person And I can hear a faint PEW, PEW, PEW! The sound of a laser tag gun.

Standing in the loud silence,

The opposite color of mine.

PEW! PEW! PEW! I hear it again, but this time louder. In the background I hear the squealing, screeching, And the sounds of excitement of the other kids.

I look up to see who had beat me, It’s Maggie, my best friend!

I see something odd, Her vest isn’t glowing. Confusion crossed our faces. Then the confusion turned to Happiness, Joy, Then the urge not to giggle,

I firmly grasp my gun,

Clouds of disappointment fill my body

Take a deep breath.

Suddenly,

The next thing I know,

“I’m ready, I've got this.”

I feel a vibration,

We are laughing nonstop.

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AR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation gives adults and children with special needs a way to express themselves, explore their artistic gifts and communicate in new ways. Through creative arts therapies, FAR clients learn much more than how to play a musical instrument or paint a picture. They gain ground developmentally and socially. They meet therapeutic goals. They make friends. They create. They connect.

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The artwork shown was done by FAR clients during art therapy sessions. Art Therapy dates back as far as the 1930’s and is an established mental health profession that uses art and art materials as a form of communication to improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of all ages. As the African Proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” At FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation we see how our special needs clients need many caring and talented people to show them support and enrich their lives. By incorporating art therapy into daily living it can spark creativity, imagination blossoms, and a new sense of self can be formed. We have had a great influx of clients on the autism spectrum, and many of them cannot speak. Our art

program is successful in providing them with another means of self-expression. Many of them have true gifts in art, and we are able to exhibit their work. Creative arts therapy helps feed the passion and build a better quality of life for people with special needs. FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation is determined to bring these benefits to as many people in the special needs community as possible. We have a history of service in this community, and the popularity of our program demonstrates just how much value our clients and their families place on the creative arts, and the role therapy can play in not just artistic skills but in life skills as well. For more information on FAR’s programs, please visit FAR-therapy.org or call 248.646.3347.

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A RF TE AT U R E

By: Ember Mohrman, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

By: Clara Kociba, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

By: Stella Dougherty, 4th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

By: Violette Dougherty, 2nd grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

MAY 2018

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KW I D ES LCL-OBRENI NE G R

What Makes You Feel Good

Jadin Moore, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

hat makes you feel good? Maybe you already know. Maybe you don’t. I am talking

HOW DOES MUSIC AFFECT US? By: Sophia Le, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary,

Rochester Hills

ou turn up your radio, and you will most likely hear music. If it is one of your favorite songs, you probably tap your foot or your fingers to

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about the calming, motivating music. Perhaps music isn’t the first thing what makes you feel like the sun, but it does this for me. Music has always been a part of my life. My mom and I like the same music, and music always calms me down, even when I’m really mad at my brothers

the beat. Soon enough, you probably are on your feet dancing or acting it out, or singing the lyrics out loud. I prefer hip hop, pop, or rap a little bit, but other people might prefer different genres like country, rock, classical, jazz, folk, blues, and many more that I don’t know. I like hip hop to dance to, and I like pop because it is fun to sing along. However, music affects us much deeper than just dancing and singing to the music. Music affects our memory. If we don’t remember things, it is often because of stress, and we cannot learn new thing very easily. Listening to music usually helps relieve stress to

or sad because I got grounded. Music gives me strength, hope, pride - everything. Music made me who I am, and I’m grateful for that. Music can change anything. Music can give a person the power to do something amazing, something he or she has always wanted to do. Pop is the trendiest, coolest music of 2018. I love it! “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes is one of my favorites. “Help me…I feel like the walls are caving in… sometimes I feel like giving up but I just can’t….” Pop and rap are two of the most popular music genres (at least in my school). Pop is awesome, and my friends and I always have so much fun dancing and singing along to rap. We had about a billion rap battles, all of which were hilarious! Now, are you ready for my favorite musician? Taylor Swift! I love her song ‘Delicate’. She is getting older, but she’s still got it! I’ve never been to one of her shows, but I’ve heard her songs on the radio. She’s pretty good! Her song ‘Delicate’ helped me get up the courage to stand up to my mom when she took away my tablet. That’s Taylor Swift for you!

remember new things more easily. Music can also help us get pumped up or calm down. Yet, music can distract some people. Music affects our health. It can help treat people with mental or physical disorders. It can also help with anxiety, sleeping issues, or even depression. In general, music is a good and inexpensive way to treat a disorder or an issue. Classical music especially can help people calm down. Music is an amazing invention that benefits people in many ways. We should listen to it every day.

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W E L L- B E I N G

Relaxing With

Music By: Lauren Raddatz,

4th grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

usic helps people calm down and relieve stress. It also helps us sleep! It helps the mind relax, preparing the body for a good night's sleep and the next day. I listen to calming music when I am trying to sleep because it helps me calm down and rest in order to feel good in the morning. It is important to select music carefully, because music can also get adrenaline pumping. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to relax and sleep, do not listen to Rock or Rap because this music produces up beat sounds. Classical music is often a good choice. Music that is soothing can also help students study and prepare for tests. This type of music helps students because it can relax them before tests and helps them sleep better for the next day of school! As you can see, music has many positive qualities. Try listening to music to help you fall asleep, relax, and just feel good!

DR. TODD STANISZEWSKI DR. NORA CLANCY 7117 Dixie Highway Clarkston, MI 48346

MAY 2018

Phone 248-620-1100 Fax 248-620-1196

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The Sound Of Music

By: Evan Jakubiak, 3rd grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

usic is a sound that interests me. It is a sound made by voices or instruments, but to me, music cheers me up when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m down. This tool, music, is one that gets you happy when you are bored and inspires groups of people in almost all moments. Music is serene and is rambunctious. Overall, music brings happiness to Earth and brings people together. Music is an amazing tool that makes people happy. It gives off a great effect that gets someone up and dancing. As soon as a song that I like is on, I start to sing; music is a cure when I am bored. One time, my family was driving to Florida and I was so bored, but then my favorite song came on and I became interested in the drive. Music is a great thing for me. One of my favorite bands is the Imagine Dragons; my favorite song is Thunder. It is amazing how music inspires so many people to come together and sing. Concerts are situations where people get together. One time in my school we practiced and practiced for weeks for my second grade concert. It made me feel more comfortable on stage; it really helped that friends had my back. I used to have stage fright, but now I love singing, especially in groups. It is so fun for me. I had a blast singing with my classmates during my concert. It was one of the most important moments of my life so far! Singing in groups gets you to make new friends. Music is a good companion of mine, and I believe this is the same with lots and lots of people on Earth. As I have stated, music is an amazing cure in life. It is the answer to our prayers. GO MUSIC! 20

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How Music Education Practices Can Benefit Instruction in Core Subjects The beauty of music education (and this is where it is inherently different from the core subjects) is that there is often no definitive answer and music is not complete without the focus and participation of all performers.

By: Scott Fryer, Director of Bands, St. Clair Middle School, East China School District

efore Spring Break, I was able to organize a performance for the sixth grade band students to play at each of the feeder elementary schools in our district. This was an opportunity to showcase the amount of growth that the newest band members had gained in just 7 months of playing their instruments. Sixth graders arrived collected, organized, and extremely excited to be out of school for the majority of the day. We played roughly 10 selections/pieces in a 30-minute block of time, and they all were engaged in the activity. Something about being a member of that ensemble energizes them, gives them pride, and projects a no-fear attitude while they are navigating an entirely different craft. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sense of community that is tactile - something that my students can feel throughout each rehearsal and performance. Not every minute is perfect, of course; not always we are able to use all 55 minutes of class time effectively; not every student performs at the same level. However, there is something here

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to tap into and possibly utilize in other classrooms. I think what mainly drives my students is the opportunity to perform: the experience of playing their instrument in front of others to demonstrate their learning. This is something I try to include into our daily rehearsals, allowing each band student to take ownership in his or her learning. Sometimes I will have, for example, a group of 8 trumpets share their take on a particular melody, perform as a small group, and then open up a discussion to all students. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ask: What did we like? What did we not like? How did they achieve that sound? What did you notice about the style of their notes? The questions and the discussion can be the key to unlocking the next level for many of my students. Additionally, this scenario is a moment for the performers to take pride in their work and to narrow their focus on exactly what they are doing, which allows them to reflect on their playing from an outside perspective. The beauty of music education (and this is where it is inherently different from the core subjects) is that there is often no definitive answer and music is not complete without the focus and participation of all performers. While I was teaching high school band a couple of years ago, my administrator approached me after a marching band event (otherwise known as a football game) to share that he could not believe how much ownership the students had in their routine. The event took place towards the end of the season, a home game without an upcoming festival, and I felt confident enough in my students

that I could walk away for a moment and the evening would go on without a hiccup. I was surprised by this comment not only because I had come to habitually expect such ownership in my students, but also because my thinking as a music educator never allowed anything less. Students need to feel empowered; they need to know we trust them. Only then will they truly lead. Leadership is an important quality that many teachers strive to develop on their students, and getting students to achieve even simple goals on their own can be a step towards becoming a leader. If we take, for example, the idea that leadership is the key ingredient in a band setting, we should ask the question: can we follow this model elsewhere? In a math class could students demonstrate their learning in front of the class? Right or wrong, their classmates could work through the problem and fix it. Not only does this experience help these students but also reach other students in a different way. It is important to note that this process takes up a considerable amount of class time when it is first introduced, but each repetition generates a faster outcome. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for us, as educators, to relinquish control over to our students, but at the end of the day, we should be focusing on a student-centered environment and letting them to learn from each other. I personally feel that my students learn much more when I allow more time focused on them rather than me. I also like to bring in outside guests/ clinicians/professionals into my classroom to demonstrate and work with my students. I am always amazed how many professionals in my field are willing to come and work with my band students, at little or no cost at all. I am certain that a similar scenario could be arranged for nearly every classroom and would be something worth capitalizing on for the benefit of all students.

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PA F ERAT E NUTR’ SE C O R N E R

The Sound of Music

I Maggie Razdar Publisher/Founder

MAY 2018

t might sound cliché when we say – Your words are music to my ears. What we mean, however, is this: Music gives us hope and makes us happy. Whether we play an instrument, sing, or just listen to music, music plays a big role in our lives. A 2013 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to upbeat music could improve their moods and boost their happiness in just two weeks. I know firsthand how music makes me happy on my morning drive to work. Music is even part of my daily meditations; it helps me reach peace and soothes my soul. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that music therapy programs can be designed to achieve such goals as managing stress, enhancing memory, and alleviating pain. This is also something that I have experienced with my children growing up. My boys learned to play piano at a very young age and added string instruments later on. They loved going to their rooms and playing their instruments after a

stressful day at school. It was nice to see that they recognized the calming power of music. It might seem surprising that music can help people cope with physical pain as well, but research has shown a clear link. A 2015 review in The Lancet found that people who listened to music before, during, or after surgery experienced less pain and anxiety, as compared to patients who did not listen to music. The music listeners didn’t require as much pain medication as the other group. A recent review in the World Journal of Psychiatry found that music therapy can be an effective treatment for mood disorders related to neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. While listening to music may bring greater health benefits, creating it can be an effective therapy, too. What kind of music do you listen to or play? Till next time! Enjoy it!

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