Today was very interesting. I took on a lesson which outside my comfort zone. I wanted to take on a challenge. I was open to failure. I wanted to know how I would manage a class when I would be taking a risk.

We moved the class from the classroom to the all purpose room as the students would be making music with their bodies and then using rhythm sticks and hand drums.

My purpose was to introduce music as a strategy to deal with stress for better mental health. At first we explored what stress is? How it effects us? How we can manage stress? What factors cause stress? Once the carousel activity was complete we as a class made music. We played different rhythms using our feet, hands, and thighs. I modelled and then the students followed.

We then moved on to the rhythm sticks and hand drums. This is where it got a little crazy. I allowed the students to explore the instruments so that when I modelled the rhythm they would all be engaged. Half the class was engaged and wanted to work at different and more difficult, but the other half was occupied by goofing off.

I did not let that bother me (so I think it did not bother me). I did not move on until the whole class was ready. Some of the students actually stepped in tried to get students to pay attention.

At then end of lesson. We debriefed as a class and decided we would try this again.

I was happy with this weeks lesson versus the disaster last week!