MENDON — Superintendent Maureen Cohen and Principal Jennifer Mannion proudly share that Miscoe Hill Middle School created original musical scores as part of a project focusing on music in advertising.
Michael Weber, a band teacher at Miscoe Hill Middle School, created the project with the purpose to engage his students in something that they experience daily, while also understanding the work behind it. The music students participated in their own “rock band” and learned the basics of guitar, drums, bass, and piano in the process.
Weber then reached out to local businesses to take part in this endeavor. The Mendon Fire Department and Harshaw Paving in Uxbridge happily agreed to partner with his students.
First, the students evaluated their own strengths and weaknesses before choosing an instrument to play as part of the band. Then, they composed music and executed a plan to refine their work throughout the project.
Weber supported the students with ongoing coaching, but allowed them the freedom to develop their own creative visions and pathways.
“With this project, students were able to try out instruments and music-making while also simultaneously fostering team building and group activities,” said Weber. “This initiative was a huge success and aided in the confidence and community involvement of the students.”
This class follows the District’s commitment to Project Based Learning, an approach to teaching that highlights the use of problem-solving and collaboration in the design of authentic, real-life projects. Partnering with community members has created an avenue for students to bring their learning to life in meaningful ways.
“Project-based learning, at the heart, is about student agency,” Superintendent Cohen said. “By working hands-on and collaboratively, students not only develop a deeper connection with the topic, the iterative process of refinement, reflection, and partnering with community members brings authenticity into their learning as well.”
To see the students’ work for the Mendon Fire Department, click here.