Our Inquiry into Music and Mood by Eagle Class

Introduction - Camilo

Recently, Eagle class has been learning about music and mood. Our central idea is, 'Audiences emotionally connect to music in different ways'. Our first inquiry is an inquiry into how audiences react to different genres of music. This week, each child has been creating an art piece for a staff member at Landmark. 

Interviews - Jasper

As part of our enquiry, Mrs Bordoli-Marsh asked us to pick a teacher or staff member to interview about their favourite songs. After that as a class we discussed which interview questions that would be useful to ask the members of staff about their favourite song and how it made them feel. We chose four or five questions out of the list that we thought were the most suitable to ask them and wrote them down in a google doc. Each class member then emailed the member of staff they chose to make a fixed time for the interview. After emailing the members of staff, we finally got round to interviewing them about their favourite song and what they liked about it. It was really interesting to hear about their points of view and then we got round to planning our art pieces.

Planning stage - Noah

After we found the staff member’s favourite song we listened to it a few times and really thought about how the music made us feel and the vibe of it. We also completed this thinking routine called “colour, image and symbol.” We had to fill in the colour section with a colour that  would suit the song nicely and write on why we chose the colour; and so on. For the final preparation we all planned out what the art piece was going to be, how we were going to make it and what resources we needed to make it (clay, paint, pastels, pens and more). We also did a rough sketch on what our finished art piece was going to be.

Creative stage - Ted

During the creative stage we were set to make a piece of art for the member of staff that we interviewed.  Some of us used clay to make models for them, others made drawings, some even painted or used pastel.  In this time we all had to be responsible for resources, our time management, clearing and also sometimes we had to support each other.  Jayden had finished his work quite quickly and it looked great but after he had finished he had gone to help Ben with his piece of art (which also looked amazing!).

The final result - Turner

We all worked so hard so we were bursting with excitement to show our amazing pieces of art. All of Eagle showed our art pieces in an assembly on Friday. The whole of the class showed our creations to the primary classes and listened to the songs. They all enjoyed seeing the art and guessing who it was for. Then we went to show our chosen staff member and give them the art pieces. They were delighted when they saw the art piece, it brought them so many good memories.

Staff reactions

Mr Turnbull-Jones, "I was not expecting the art piece from the student, so when I received it I was taken aback by the thought and consideration that had gone into the piece. The song I chose was Tiny Dancer by Elton John and the art piece brought back many happy memories. The inquiry that the year 6's have been through has really demonstrated the thinkers, caring and reflective attributes of the learner profile"

Mrs Bennett, "I was deeply touched by the artwork that Ted produced for me based on my favourite song 'Mr Blue Sky' by ELO. He had clearly given it much thought and had really listened to my feelings about the song and the memories it invokes for me whenever I hear it. The piece of art is an excellent representation of the song and I love how he included the cars which I would have been travelling in whilst listening to the song as a child! Thank you Ted!"

Georgie, "My heart melted when Turner gave me my picture based on my favourite songs: 'No Woman, No Cry' by Bob Marley and 'Painters' by Jewel .  It was such a gorgeous surprise and so wonderful.  

I was so moved by how he both represented and incorporated both my memories and the words of the songs so that I can imagine I am back in Ghana when I look at it. I will treasure it."

Below are photos of the finished products being presented