When I tell people that I am here in Juneau teaching JAMM, there is often a comical misconception that I am teaching the above type of jam. However, amongst the locals in Juneau, many know of JAMM as a public school music education program.
So what is JAMM?
JAMM focuses on discipline, leadership, social skills, group work, and brain development using music - specifically violin instruction, as a tool. Kindergarten and 1st grade students at Glacier Valley, Riverbend and Auke Bay Elementary Schools receive 90 minutes of violin instruction each week as part of their school day. For students in 2nd - 5th grade JAMM is a free after school program, where students meet for 5 or more hours per week. The after school program includes sessions in orchestra/chamber group, music technology, dance, recorders, songwriting, choir, ukulele, music literacy and/or Tlingit dance and drumming.
As I pursue a Masters of Arts in Teaching, with Music Certification K-12, I am teaching in all three of the JAMM schools: Glacier Valley, Riverbend and Auke Bay. Being involved in teaching at all three JAMM sites, gives me a unique perspective of the JAMM program as a whole. In the book Changing Lives: Gustavo Dudamel, El Sistema, and the Transformative Power of Music, the author describes the importance of maintaining continuity amongst El Sistema programs, or nucleos, as they are called. She quotes master string teacher José Francisco saying that a student can move from Mérida to Barquisimeto, and "that student's studies can carry on with continuity, with no interruption. I see this as creating a blanket of support. I have seen students switch between any of the three JAMM sites and be able to pick up their musical studies right where they left off.
Yet, each of the three JAMM schools maintains their own unique flavour.
Glacier Valley JAMM Recipe:
-2 Kindergarten classes for 45 minutes twice a week
-3 First Grade classes for 45 minutes twice a week
*plus an additional after school session
-200+ after school participants in grades 2-5
-A dozen local educators, musicians, artists, and family members as instructors
Directions:
The students are divided into orchestras or sectional which are labelled after composers; such as the Dvorak Violas, the Mozart Violins and the Beethoven Violins. As the bell rings to finish the day, 200 some JAMM student rush to line up with their group in their assigned spots. The students are then given a snack which is provided by JAMM before heading outside to recess. Don't underestimate the importance of snack and recess, not only do some of my favourite JAMM memories come from being with the kids on the playground, but a big part of El Sistema is about enabling the students to learn and succeed. Children need to be healthy, fed and loved in order to learn best. After snack and recess, the students will participate in two sessions of JAMM. One session will be their orchestra or sectional rehearsal, and the other session will be an exploratory including ukulele, dance, music technology, and choir. At Glacier Valley the session rotate in periods of about 6-8 weeks.
Outcome:
-Regular student performances and informal sharing with families and the community
-One 5th Grade Chamber Group that performs at events throughout the community
-Higher achievement in the classroom
-More parental and community involvement
- A sense of self-confidence and pride amongst participants
See this digital story about the transformative impact of JAMM at Glacier Valley Elementary School. It was created by my colleague, Sophia Butler.
Riverbend JAMM Recipe:
-3 Kindergarten classes for 30 minutes three times a week
-2 First Grade classes for 30 minutes three times a week
-60+ after school participants in grades 2-4
*In 2014/2015 JAMM at Riverbend opened to all students in 2nd grade
*In 2015/2016 JAMM opened to 4th grade students
*In the near future Riverbend JAMM will open for 5th grade students
-A certified music teacher, a JAMM instructor and cello teacher, 3 student teachers
- Several dedicated Riverbend educators and staff
-Community members, parents, families and friends
Directions:
During the school week all of the first grade and kindergarten classes come to the music room to play the violin for 30 minutes three times a week. This is a perfect length of time for young brains and they benefit from the involvement of their homeroom teacher and the regular practice. After school participants are divided into two main groups, although throughout each session, students receive individual or small group attention from the instructors. There is a brand new cello program, which brings great exciting to the growing and flourishing Riverbend JAMM program. The students gather in the library right after school and then go outside for JAMM recess. After recess students participate in one violin/cell sectional with their peers and one exploratory. Currently they are working on songwriting. They also have opportunities to explore creative movement, and garage band.
Outcome:
-Regular student performances and informal sharing with families and the community
-A brand new cello program
-Higher achievement in the classroom
-More parental and community involvement
- A sense of self-confidence and pride amongst participants
-The students at Riverbend are so happy and grateful to participate
In fact, the soundtrack for my digital story was created by 4th grade students who had only been playing the violin for 4 weeks! Talk about dedication. One of their parents said his daughters came home and practiced for three hours after the first day of JAMM.
Auke Bay JAMM Recipe:
Auke Bay Elementary School is the most recent addition the JAMM program. It is also the only JAMM site that is not a Title 1 school. The music room at Auke Bay is shared between three music instructors, this has taught me a lot about professionalism, and working with other educators. Two and a half kindergarten and two and a half 1st grade classes receive 30 minutes of violin instruction three times a week. For the after school program students spend the first 45 minute session exploring music and technology, the second session is then spent receiving violin or cello instruction. There is a wide range of levels in this growing group. I have the opportunities to work with groups of students who need more support and those who need more of a challenge. I am only involved with teaching JAMM violin on Friday afternoons.
Pictures come from the JAMM Blog.
Also check out the JAMM Website for more information.
Happy JAMMing!