Michael Mitchell - Canada Is For Kids
(revised May 12, 2016)
“Such an excellent role model for children who today are in
need of a good, positive image. You confirmed just how
proud and privileged I am to be a Canadian.”
-- John XXIII Catholic School, Arnprior, ON
Introduction
This Michael Mitchell – Canada Is For Kids Teaching Kitnot only helps you prepare to host a show at your school but also provides you with a wealth of resources you can use to enhance your Canadian studies program throughout the year.
The Show
Michael Mitchell is a troubadour of Canada’s Heritage. This awardwinningsinger, songwriter and storyteller is on a never-ending mission to stir up some patriotic spirit in the hearts and minds of all Canadians through lively songsand humorous stories of our history, geography and some of the whacky quirks thatidentify us as Canadians.
Michael has given more than 5,000 of his popular Canada Is For Kidsshows in schoolsthroughout the country, and has travelled to some of those performances in everything fromfloat planes to dog sleds. He is the former co-host of the CTV children’s program Story Time, and has also written and recorded songs for Sesame Street and PBS.The show features songs and stories of our Canadian heritage.Itʼs ideally suited for students in grades 1-6, but is easily adaptable to fit a K-8 spread.
In this solo performance Michael accompanieshimself on guitar and is further supported by pre-recorded band track accompaniment,allowing him to present all songs almost exactly as they appear on the songs included inthis Teaching Kit.A one-hour performance usually consists of 9-10 songs selected by your staff or students from the 25 available songs
Everyone is invited to sing along throughout the concert.The show is both educational and fun, and there is ample opportunity for student andteacher participation in a good-humored, dynamic, and positive atmosphere.
“Michaelʼs show not only gives students a view of Canada and its
diversity but also fosters a sense of pride in being Canadian.
Students, staff and parents enjoyed it immensely. He has excellent
interaction with students. The teaching kit was great as well.”
- Davidson Elementary School, Davidson, SK
Contents
There are four main elements to this Teaching Kit:
1. Show Preparation Tools;
2. Teaching Resources;
3. Song Tracks for the 25most popular songs from the Canada Is For Kidsmusiccollection; and,
4. Song tracks for four of Michael’s versions of our national anthem, ‘O Canada’ – English, French, bilingual and instrumental.
Show Preparation Tools
A collection of tips to help staff, students and parentsprepare to join in on this celebration of songs and stories of Canadaʼs heritage and also do derive the maximum value from hosting the show. Most of thesepages are designed for you to print out and distribute as you see fit. Feel free to edit some ofthem, such as the suggested media release announcing the upcoming show, to personalizethem for your school.
Teaching Resources
REPRODUCIBLE LYRIC SHEET
The 1-page, two-sided 8.5” x 14” reproducible lyric sheet includes the words for the 25 select songs included in this package. Feel free to reproduce them so any student can have their owncollection of Canadiana songs for use in the classroom, at home or even at the concert.
O CANADA
A short history of Canadaʼs national anthem plus printable posters with the lyrics in English and French, a music chart and four recordings of the anthem in English, French, bilingual andinstrumental versions. A great classroom tool.
BIG CANADIAN MUSIC BOOK
Music charts and background information for all 40 songs in the complete 3-volumeCanada Is For KidsCD collection.
COLOURING BOOK
Reproducible Canadiana colouring images that relate to many themes from the songs. There are also electronic colouring images that can be coloured on your computers.
ANIMATED CARTOON – CANADA IN MY POCKET
One of Michael Mitchellʼs most popular childrenʼs songs is crafted into an animated cartoon that helps kids learn about the significance of the images found on the most common Canadiancoins.
LECTURE NOTES - FOLK MUSIC AND FOLK LIFE IN CANADA
Use these student notes in conjunction with the songs to teach older students about the history and significance of folk music in Canada.
GAMES & PUZZLES
Electronic and printable Canadiana games and puzzles for people of all ages.
25 Music Files
We have enclosed 25 of the most popular songs from the 40-song Canada Is For Kids musiccollection (sold separately as Canada Is for Kids, Volumes 1, 2, and 3) in mp3 format. You can make copiesof any or all of the songs that you would like to distribute to classrooms to help them prepare forthe concert.
‘O Canada’
We have included four music files featuring Michael’s versions of ‘O Canada’ – English, French, bilingual and instrumental. You can use these to diversify the ones you might normally broadcast during morning exercises. Match them up with the other ‘O Canada’ resources found in this Teaching Kit.