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One of the primary aims of the Whacky Wizards program is to help people feel confident about teaching music, particularly if they are not music specialists. One of the areas where this is most important is in making mandated music curriculums more accessible. This is done in 3 ways:
Because we are based in Alberta, Canada, our curriculum is explicitly connected to this province’s Elementary Music Curriculum. However, the concepts and skills outlined in that curriculum are universal enough to make links to the curriculum of whatever jurisdiction you are in. If you have any questions about how to find those connections, please don’t hesitate to Contact us!
For more information on Alberta’s Elementary Music Curriculum see the drop-down sections below.
The Alberta Curriculum divides its objectives into two broad categories – General Learner Expectations (see box below) and Specific Learner Expectations.
Specific Learner Expectations are further sub-divided into three categories – Concepts, Skills and Attitudes.
Concepts are divided into five Elements,
Skills are divided into six Areas.
Concepts are taught though Skills. For example, students can learn about rhythm by singing, playing instruments, or moving.
Every is categorized and numbered in the curriculum. For example:
Concepts > rhythm > 4. There are strong and weak beats in music.
Or:
Skills > listening > 24. Identify major and minor chords.
The curriculum builds from year. When a concept or skill is to be introduced in one grade level, the intention is for it to be further developed in subsequent years.
Through the elementary music program, students will develop:
Each Whacky Wizards lesson highlights a number of Specific Learner Expectations.
While the target audience for Whacky Wizards is currently Grade 2 to 4, whenever any Specific Learner Expectations are included in a tutorial it will be noted. As such, some concepts may be included that are intended to be introduced in earlier grades, and others intended to be introduced later.
The key thing to remember is that all concepts and skills in theAlberta Curriculum are meant to be revisited and enhanced from year to year. There is truly no bad time to introduce or explore these principles.
The primary focus will be to highlight Concepts. While any Learner Expectations in the Skills categories will be noted, because the program generally uses the same skills from lesson to lesson.
There is a table on each tutorial page listing the specific Concepts covered in each elemental category. A list of Skills employed is also included. Each item in the table and on the list will be numbered and named as it appears in the Alberta Curriculum.
It is very important to note that the goal of the program is to make music first, so that these concepts are implicit rather than explicit. It’s much easier to teach a musical concept when you can frame it as something the students have been doing already without knowing it.
Copyright © 2021 – Leo Brooks. All rights reserved.
A note from the creator or Whacky Wizards:
I am currently offering a free trial for those who are willing to help me generate potential customer profiles, a vital step in for qualifying for investments, loans, and other business development programs.
I am simply asking for 5-10 minutes of your time to answer a few basic questions via Zoom, Phone, Text or even Email. Your responses will remain confidential and private.
Fill in the form below, and I will contact you within one business day to complete the questionnaire. Afterwards, I’ll set up an account for you to see everything the Whacky Wizards website currently has to offer.
Thanks so much for interest and willingness to help. It means a lot. – Leo
At the current time, we do not have an online booking system.
Please complete this form and Whacky Wizards founder Leo Brooks will contact you to arrange a suitable time for a 20-minute Zoom call.
Can’t tell a quarter note from a treble clef? Are sharp and flat just words you would use to describe a knife? You’re not alone.
In fact, Whacky Wizards was created to be used by people just like you. The program was researched and designed specifically for teachers who had been asked to teach music but who often:
After a 10-week trial period with the program, every one of these teachers said that their confidence and competence for music instruction had improved.
The best part is that even if you don’t need musical knowledge to use the program, there are plenty of opportunities to learn. The site features an amazing 5-part tutorial series called “How Music Works” which teaches the most essential elements of music in a way that is approachable and pragmatic. These ‘go-at-your-own-pace’ video lessons offer instruction on how to learn and apply these concepts while using the program.
Whacky Wizards is a program dedicated to help groups of all descriptions easily make music in a fun, interactive, and highly engaging way using Boomwhackers™ percussion tubes. The program has special features for educators, but can be used by any group wanting to have a great time making music.
The site revolves around three custom apps which focus on different aspects of music making – The Song Wizard, The Rhythm Tutor, and The Whacky Looper.
The content of the site is presented in modules which feature different songs (using The Song Wizard) or rhythmic patterns (Using The Rhythm Tutor and The Whacky Looper). Each module contains tips and instructions for playing it’s featured music with your group, as well as instructional resources for teachers and those wanting to expand their musical knowledge.
Whacky Wizards is a program dedicated to help groups of all descriptions easily make music in a fun, interactive, and highly engaging way using Boomwhackers™ percussion tubes. The program has special features for educators, but can be used by any group wanting to have a great time making music.
The site revolves around three custom apps which focus on different aspects of music making – The Song Wizard, The Rhythm Tutor, and The Whacky Looper.
The content of the site is presented in modules which feature different songs (using The Song Wizard) or rhythmic patterns (Using The Rhythm Tutor and The Whacky Looper). Each module contains tips and instructions for playing it’s featured music with your group, as well as instructional resources for teachers and those wanting to expand their musical knowledge.
