Music learning ‘in tents’ at École St. Germain

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2021 (1889 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In November 2020, large event tents were set up outdoors at three Louis Riel School Division schools to ensure physical education classes could continue after gyms were repurposed as classrooms.  

At École St. Germain, Jennifer Engbrecht, music specialist, saw an opportunity and leveraged the use of the tents to ensure that repurposing her music room as classroom space would not mean musical learning was compromised for her Grade 2 to Grade 5 students.   

You read that correctly. She is teaching music class outdoors. In winter. In Winnipeg.  

Drawing on 25 years of experience, and with Mother Nature as a teaching partner, Engbrecht has found being outside offers students a variety of new and unique learning opportunities. Using small instruments, enjoying drama activities, creating snow art while listening to orchestral works, and dancing with their shadows keeps students active and engaged. Learning how to compose music with a snowsuit as your instrument inspires creativity. Connecting changes in sound to changes in temperature and wind or practising balance while surrounded by calming music ensures no two classes are ever the same.  

The students seem to love the experience. The combination of fresh air, an open space with shelter when needed, all while in the company of friends compels Engbrecht to use the word “transformational” to describe the shift to learning outdoors. Encouraging a lifelong appreciation of music by offering rich and varied experiences remains the focus, which is only enhanced by a move to a new classroom without the traditional walls and seating arrangements.

When the tents are eventually taken down, both the students and teacher will be richer for an experience that required adaptability and ingenuity resulting in a connection with the outside world and the natural environment that will serve them well. Engbrecht will continue having outdoor experiences integrated into the regular music teaching year given the opportunities she has discovered.

You can follow that journey here: https://engbrecht.weebly.com/music-outside  

The quadrants of the Indigenous Circle of Courage, which guided the development of the LRSD multi-year strategic plan, are evident when students are engaged in any outdoor learning. While mastery and independence are easily seen, it is generosity that thrives, not just toward others, but in the demonstration of concern and care for the natural environment. This is evident not just at École St. Germain but in all LRSD schools when the sky is the ceiling, trees and grass are the furniture, and inspiration is as limitless as the wide-open spaces.

Sandy Nemeth is a trustee for Ward 3 of Louis Riel School Division.