songs of prairie kids
Kids across Saskatchewan are teaming up with singer/songwriter Carrie Catherine to write songs about their communities! During this workshop, kids learn to use songwriting as a means to explore their identities, cultures, and places. While they get familiar with all the elements of songwriting (tempo, song structure, melody, rhythm), they also identify what makes them unique. They learn to describe the sounds, smells, images, and textures that surround them and communicate that to their audience!
Below are recordings of the songs written by students during the workshop. Enjoy exploring the province through their music.
listen to the music
| Bengough School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Robert Southey School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Goodsoil Central School Choir | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 3-4 Dorintosh School Students | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| K-2 Dorintosh School Students | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 5-8 Dorintosh School Students | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 1 H. Hardcastle School Students (Edam) | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 3-4 H. Hardcastle School Students (Edam) | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Lipton School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Cupar School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 7 Carnduff School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 5 Indian Head | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 7,8,9 Turtleford School | | Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 4-5 Souris School Students (Weyburn) |
| Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 5-6 Souris School Students (Weyburn) |
| Email the students | | Download Lyrics | |
| Grade 8 Dr. Brass School Students (Yorkton) |
| Email the students | | Download Lyrics |
follow-up activities
Kids can explore the province by sharing their songs with other schools! Following are a number of activities that students and teachers can engage in to experience the full benefit of the songwriting workshop!
HAVE FUN!!
1. art projects
Invite students to create CD covers for the recording of their song. Through drawing, photography, or computer programs, they can find or create images that visually represent what the song is about. They can develop a back cover as well, title, and other features to enhance the song.
2. listening to other communities
Students can download songs from other classrooms on the webpage (as well as their own song). Choose a few songs from other schools and listen to the music and lyrics. Use those songs and the following questions to initiate discussion.
- What does the song tell you about the students who wrote it? What story are they trying to tell?
- How is their song similar/different from the one your class wrote?
- What do you like best about the song?
- Consider collecting student responses to the song and sending it to the school who wrote it to begin a conversation between students from different schools.
3. connect with carrie
Students can email or write to Carrie with some reflections on the songwriting process: What were their favorite parts of the songwriting process? What was most difficult about songwriting? What did they learn about their community and/or environment through songwriting?
testimonials
Wow! What an amazing day! You work magic with the kids…and all with your beautiful voice and guitar. Today will be the highlight of many of our kids’ year—thank you so much!
- Holly Butz, Teacher, Souris School
A few weeks back we had the privilege of having you at our school in Dorintosh. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed you. . . My daughter who is in grade 3 loved the songwriting and in true diva spirit REALLY loved performing the song in the afternoon. Thank you for spending your time at our school, we were most impressed!
- Thyra Berg, Educational Assistant, Dorintosh School
SEND IN COMMENTS AND PHOTOS TO BE POSTED ON THIS SITE!!
