Flat Handel and the Mystery Tent

The Adventures of Flat Handel and the Mystery Tent is a story that started inside a dark, dark tent with a picture of little boy who sneaked up in the attic to play music against his father’s wishes. But before I tell you the rest of the story, remember…….Presentation is everything!!

The Mystery Tent

Made from a tailgating frame with black plastic wrapped around it, the mystery tent contained seat cushions, a small camping flash light that the kids wanted turned off, and a fan. (It gets very hot inside the tent.) After two weeks of wondering, guessing, and waiting, the students’ curiosity was sufficiently piqued to go inside and turn off the lights. The older students had a nervous, insecure smile on their faces as they entered the mystery tent. I said, “It’s not what’s IN the tent; it’s what we DO in the tent that matters.” Watch the little eyes as they enter the mystery tent for the first time.

Handel epub

Using an ePub that I had prepared beforehand, students opened their Book Creator app on their iPads to a picture of a little boy at a keyboard surrounded by gawking people. “The picture tells an amazing story. What clues do you see that might tell part of the story? Use the pen to draw a circle around at least three things that you wonder about. You have two minutes to draw and record your thoughts.” I sent the students out of the tent for two minutes.

Magic happened.

As I observed, I noticed how every child was on task circling and recording as quickly as he/she could. Instead of having to raise their hands to ask their questions (automation), 20 students were instantly engaged because their thoughts were captured for reflection. Everyone voiced their “I wonder’s” at the same time, and they had tons to say! I’ve never used the iPad in that way before, but it was a wonderful way to give each child a voice without the “in your face” kind of question begging.

The mystery tent was uber cool and everything we did inside the tent made a musical memory. Telling the story in the dark of the little boy in the dress made us all more curious about the next adventure of Flat Handel and the Mystery Tent. When the classroom teachers came to pick up their kids, they took the time to come inside the tent with us. Oh, what a magical moment that was.

“Our role is not to give information. Our role is to cultivate curiosity. No matter what, refrain from giving information that students can find out for themselves.” -Erik Shonstrom

Curiosity is fueled by mystery, but it is also fueled by empathy.

Download the Handel epub here

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Cherie Herring

Music/Technology Integration at Hammond School

I teach elementary music, am passionate about integrating technology into my teaching, am obsessed with my SMARTBoard and iPad, and enjoy creating lessons and sharing ideas. I love technology almost as much as I love cheesecake, and with more energy and ideas than I know what to do with, I can't wait for the sun to come up each morning! I'm wife to Prince Charming and mom to three incredible girls who keep me balanced. . . sort of!