Nestor Falls School on CBC Radio with Singer, Rodney Brown

(January 27, 2005) – Nestor Falls School staff and students were overjoyed to take part in the Learning Through the Arts program recently with Rodney Brown, a singer-songwriter from Thunder Bay.

Rodney Brown worked with Nestor Falls students to write two songs that connect to the curriculum they are now learning. In the Junior Room (grades JK-3), Brown and students co-created a song called “Pamela the Polar Bear” as the students have been studying polar bears in Language Arts.

Brown also worked with students in the Senior Room (grades 4-8) to write a song honouring the Sioux Narrows Bridge. This topic was chosen as the older students in the class are currently studying “Structural Strength and Stability” (including bridge structure) in Science.

CBC Radio One interviewed students Victoria Hammond (grade 3), and Finn Chalupski (grade 2) about their song-writing experience. Additionally, Brandon Whalen (grade 5) and Kimberly Grant (grade 8) were interviewed about the research they did about the Sioux Narrows bridge - the 70 year-old longest wooden span bridge in North America, which is currently being replaced.

CBC broadcasted Brandon and Kim’s interview yesterday night, and again this morning - along with a recording of Rodney singing “The Sioux Narrows Bridge” with the class.

Tonight, the interview with Victoria and Finn ran after the five o’clock news, along with the recording of their class’ song.

Mr. Brown also took the time to sit in - and “jam” - with the Nestor Falls Guitar Club. Nestor Falls’ school’s guitar club consists of twelve students (almost half the entire school population of thirty), ranging from grade 3-8.

NFS teachers Kerri Halvorsen, and Kate Woods, and students alike were thrilled to share this experience of a lifetime with Rodney Brown and CBC Radio.

Written by: Kate Woods