YVIP Course Introduction & 'At a Glance'

Course Overview

Through these 8 modules, students will learn the EarSketch skills to create a song to submit to the competition. Consider it the skill-building phase! So, the activities throughout the modules should be done with that in mind. It may be challenging to complete a submission-ready song simply by doing the EarSketch activities in the modules only once. (See the Song requirements for the competition.)

Song submission for the competition is optional! Students might only wish to learn about the social issues and coding a song with EarSketch - that's perfectly fine!

The curriculum contained in this project is similar to—yet different from—the EarSketch curriculum online. That EarSketch curriculum is a wonderful additional resource for you. Feel free to go to it and search for topics you want to know more about.

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At A Glance

This list will help you to see the whole YVIP curriculum at a glance.

Note: Activities that are bold and italicized are coding activities. The Activities not bolded and italicized are the Indigenous learnings.

Module 1 - Intro to EarSketch

• Activity 1:  Coding and Music - What is the Connection?
• Activity 2: Intro to Coding
• Activity 3: Creating an Account
• Activity 4: EarSketch DAW
• Activity 5: Let's Play with Tempo
• Activity 6: Build Your Vocabulary 

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Why is coding important to the future of the music industry?
• Extension B: Introduction to coding activity
• Extension C: Producing from Your Laptop
• Extension D: Large Group Tempo Activity

Module 2 - Layers of Injustice & Creating a Script with Comments

• Activity 1: The History of Hip-Hop
• Activity 2: Exploring Types of Racism/Injustice
• Activity 3: Identifying Types of Racism
• Activity 4: Creating a Script
• Activity 5: Using Comments
• Activity 6: Build Your Vocabulary

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Word Splash
• Extension B: Free Time - Explore EarSketch

Module 3 - Layers of Music (Activism and Equity)

• Activity 1: Know and Want to Know
• Activity 2: Analyze Song “PEUPLE INVINCIBLE” by Samian 
• Activity 3: Defining Activism and Equity
• Activity 4: Music - Add Sound Clips to Your Script
• Activity 5: Debugging
• Activity 6: Build Your Vocabulary

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Indigenous Artist Research and Presentation
• Extension B: Indigenous Activism

Module 4 - Creating Your Soundbank, Variables, & Tracks

• Activity 1: Introduction to Layering Music
• Activity 2: Creating Your SoundBank
• Activity 3: Assigning Variables to Your Sound Clips
• Activity 4: Adding Sound Clips to your Tracks
• Activity 5: Recording and Adding a Sound to EarSketch
• Activity 6: Build your Vocabulary
• Activity 7: Reflect on your Song Creation Process

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Adding Sounds to Favourites
• Extension B; Other Functions to Try

Module 5 - Song Structure—Every Song (and Person) Plays a Part

• Activity 1: What are Decolonization and Indigenization
• Activity 2: Understand the Four R's Framework
• Activity 3: Analyze the song Freedom by Dakota Bear
• Activity 4: Introducing Song Structure
• Activity 5: Determining the Structure of Dakota Bear’s song “Freedom”
• Activity 6: Build Your Vocabulary 

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Analyze the song "Omen" by Twin Flames

Module 6 - Messages, Chorus, & Custom Functions

• Activity 1: What is an Ally? What is an Activist? Indigenous Music! 
• Activity 2: Indigenous Role Model Gallery Walk
• Activity 3: Learn about Measures
• Activity 4: Staggered Start and End Measures
• Activity 5: Introduction to Custom Functions
• Activity 6: Building Your Vocabulary

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Invite a Guest
• Extension B: Create a Function with Variables
• Extension C: Create a Custom Function with Variables and Staggered Start and End Measures
• Extension D: Participate in a Sharing Circle

Module 7 - Spirit Bear Guide & Calls to Action

• Activity 1: Meet Jayli Wolf and Analyze her Song
• Activity 2: Understanding the Spirit Bear Guide to TRC
• Activity 3: Reflect on Your Song and the Four R's 
• Activity 4: Choose Calls To Action
• Activity 5: I used to think…now I think…

Optional Extensions

• Extension A: Watch "Indigenous & Canadian Histories 101" Video
• Extension B: “Tanya Talaga” Article Analysis
• Extension C: Other sources describing Canada’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples

Module 8 - Code Your Voice

• Activity 1: Understanding Reconciliation
• Activity 2: Prepare the Final Song
• Activity 3: Add Voice to Your Code
• Activity 4: Debugging Your Song
• Activity 5: Do Your Song’s Characteristics Meet the Requirements

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Course Requirements

• A desktop or laptop computer (or Chromebook)
• Internet connection
• A keyboard, mouse, or trackpad
• Headphones or speakers

Note: 

• EarSketch will not work on mobile devices. 
• Your school district may need to approve the EarSketch website. 
• If students are in a classroom environment, we recommend headphones.

Course Resources

Note: The following are VIEW ONLY. ('Make a Copy' if you wish to edit in any way.)

• Teacher/Solution Guide (Modules 1 -8)
• Slides
• Digital Student Workbook Writing Activities - contains all student reading and writing exercises. This version is designed for students to make a copy and use online, use the Printable Student Workbook Writing Activities if you want a printer friendly version.
• Student Coding Activity Workbook - contains detailed instructions, sample starting and finishing code for student coding exercises.  (Each student needs to 'Make a Copy' in order to use it digitally.)

Get started

General Teacher Preparation

1. Ensure each student can access the EarSketch website, earsketch.gatech.edu from their device.
   Note: EarSketch will not work on a mobile device (iPad, phone) or offline, so each student must have access to a computer or Chromebook and reliable internet.
2.  Preview all student work assignments in the Modules.
3. There are 3 sets of instructional materials. As mentioned, they are VIEW ONLY. ('Make a Copy' if you wish to edit in any way.)

The Teacher/Solution Guide is comprehensive and contains Instructor Dialogue, Instructor Cues, Resource materials, detailed Extension activities, and possible solutions to questions.

The Slides allow you to present effectively to the students.  They contain suggested Instructor Dialogue and Instructor Cues.

The Student Workbook Writing Activities is a digital resource where students can find reference materials such as song lyrics and respond to questions related to module topics. (Each student needs to 'Make a Copy' in order to use the digital version. Should you wish to print it out there is also a printable version designed to be printer friendly.

The Student Workbook Coding Activities is a digital resource where students can find detailed instructions to complete coding activities along with start and finish code examples.

NOTE: The students will have access to the Slides and the Teacher/Solution Guide from this website as learning resources. This respects and honours their independence in learning. 

A Note About Extensions

In many of the modules, there are optional EXTENSIONS. These are activities for teachers/students who want to dig deeper or spend additional time on a particular topic.