| THE SHOW
Canada Is For Kids is a concert featuring songs and stories of our Canadian heritage. It’s ideally suited for students in grades 1-6, but a full K-8 spread can easily be accommodated.
It is a solo performance by singer-songwriter Michael Mitchell. Michael accompanies himself 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 in this Teaching Kit.
A one-hour performance usually consists of 9-10 songs selected by your school staff and/or students from the 25 songs available in the extensive, complimentary Teaching Kit (see below) that you will receive upon booking a concert. Once you have had a chance to listen to the music, design your personalized concert using the Concert Song Selection Sheet included in the Kit.
During the show, Michael prefaces each song with a short story, anecdote or audience activity that relates to the theme of each upcoming song. This creates a vignette of some Canadian characteristic and brings the subject of each song into meaningful focus.
Quick Canadiana trivia questions seeded throughout the performance allow students from all grades to not only show off their knowledge of Canada but also serve to keep their minds alert to the musical themes being portrayed. Of course, everyone is invited to sing along throughout the concert. To that end the Resources section includes a reproducible Lyric Sheet that you can make available for classroom or concert use. For music classes, you can print out music charts for individual songs from the Big Canadian Music Book.
The show is both educational and fun. There is ample opportunity for student and teacher participation in a good-humored, positive atmosphere.
“Michael’s 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
Regarded as the most ‘in demand’ school show in Canada, Canada Is For Kids is a perfect companion to the elementary school curriculum. Students love to sing along, and participate in many other ways, as Michael's songs and stories of our Canadian heritage bring to life what it really means to be Canadian.
Michael Mitchell is no stranger to young audiences. 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 the American Public Broadcasting System - PBS. To date, more than 4,500 schools have hosted this talented entertainer.
Students, staff and parents can't help but join in with such popular favourites as This Land Is Your Land, Donkey Riding (Michael's re-written version) and the Log Driver's Waltz. But Michael's own compositions such as Canada In My Pocket, which tells about the significance of the symbols on our coins, Little Trees (used by UNESCO for their Billion Tree initiative), and Maple Sugar Time, have also become favourites in classrooms throughout the country.
Michael's Canada Is For Kids show is often used to augment ‘Canada’ or ‘Heritage’ study units. Many schools decorate the walls in various Canadiana themes, often with the help of the reproducible Colouring Book images supplied with our Teaching Kit. Many schools really get on board by making show day Red and White Day in recognition of Canada's national colours.
One complimentary Teaching Kit is included for each show booked. Additional copies of the Kit can be purchased for $45.00 each and can be bought online from our Shopping Cart or onsite at each show.
“I just wanted to personally thank you on behalf of Timberlea School for performing for us and sharing your wonderful talent. The children talked about your songs and their favorite parts of the show for the rest of the week! Many classroom teachers have said that all they want to hear is Michael Mitchell. It was a wonderful experience having you here and I can’t wait to use more of your resources and songs. Thank you again for making your concert interactive and meaningful for the children. They will truly never forget this event!”
Mary Jane MacLaine (music teacher)
and Timberlea staff, Fort McMurray, AB
WHAT IS IN THE TEACHING KIT?
Canada Is For Kids Teaching Kit - 2nd Edition (2010)
(requires a DVD-capable computer and internet connection)
This Michael Mitchell – Canada Is For Kids school Teaching Kit provides you with:
1. Tools and guidelines that will help any school that books a Canada Is For Kids school concert to most effectively prepare the students, staff and parents for the performance, and;
2. Entertaining and educational Canadiana resources that can be used year-round by any school or home schooling family.
There are four main elements to this Teaching Kit:
1. The Teachers’ Guide;
2. The Resources package;
3. Song Tracks for 25 of the most popular songs from the Canada Is For Kids CD collection; and,
4. Instrumental Song Tracks for the same 25 songs.
TEACHERS’ GUIDE
This has tips for both teachers and the show coordinator to help staff, students and parents prepare to join in on this celebration of songs and stories of Canada’s heritage. Most of these pages are designed for you to print out and distribute as you see fit. Feel free to edit some of them, such as the suggested media release announcing the upcoming show, to personalize them for your school. Topics include:
1. What is the Show About?
2. Michael Mitchell – Facts and Figures
3. Tips for Staff Concert Coordinator
4. Concert Tips for Teachers
5. Concert Preparation Checklist
6. Concert Song Selection Sheet
7. Poster
8. Parent Invitation
9. Notifying the Media
10. Buying CDs and Other Products
11. Suggested Gym Layout
12. Suggested Introduction
13. Performance Evaluation
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 own collection of Canadiana songs for use in the classroom, at home or even at the concert.
O CANADA
A short history of Canada’s 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 and instrumental versions. A great classroom tool.
BIG CANADIAN MUSIC BOOK
Music charts and background information for all 40 songs in the complete Canada Is For Kids – Volumes 1, 2 and 3 CD 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 computer.
ANIMATED CARTOON – CANADA IN MY POCKET
One of Michael Mitchell’s most popular children’s songs is crafted into an animated cartoon that helps kids learn about the significance of the images found on the most common Canadian coins.
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.
MUSIC FILES
We have enclosed 25 of the most popular songs from the 40-song Canada Is For Kids music collection (sold separately as Canada Is for Kids, Volumes 1, 2, and 3). You can make copies of any or all of the songs that you would like to distribute to classrooms to help them prepare for the concert.
ADDED BONUS: We’ve also included the Instrumental Versions of these 25 songs. They are ideal as accompaniment for school choirs and for use at music festivals or any other situation where you want the kids’ voices ‘up front’ rather than simply singing along with Michael.
THE MUSIC
There are 25 great traditional and original Canadian songs in this collection. Once you have had a chance to introduce the songs to your students, you (with the help of your students) get to pick 8-10 of your favourites to include in the show.
Music charts and lyrics for all songs can be found in the enclosed Big Canadian Music Book and on the Lyric Sheet. Music files contained in this package include:
1. SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT - Oscar Brand - Travel from coast to coast with this famous ballad
2. LITTLE TREES - Michael Mitchell - Michael wrote this song for Sesame Street. It tells about the important job each of us has, to give young trees a chance to grow up to be big trees.
3. I'SE THE B'Y - Traditional - The people of Newfoundland are fun-loving people who create wonderful songs about their everyday life. One of their most famous songs tells the story of a fisherman who goes out to catch fish and take them home to his wife, Liza. They have a unique way of talking in Newfoundland and sometimes use words and phrases that you would never hear anywhere else in the world.
4. FAREWELL NOVA SCOTIA - Traditional - Written just after the First World War, this is a song about being prepared to defend our country. It is the official song of Nova Scotia.
5. V'LA L'BON VENT - Traditional - This song is over 300 years old and was sung by the Voyageurs and Coureurs de Bois who roamed throughout Canada when it was a new nation. Such songs kept up their spirits when they had to paddle for up to 18 hours a day, and it also helped them to keep the oars working in rhythm, making everyone's work easier.
6. CANADA IN MY POCKET - Michael Mitchell - This song describes the significance of the symbols found on some of our Canadian coins.
7. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND - Woody Guthrie - Many of us think that this is an original Canadian song. The truth is that this is an American song which described the things that made the writer proud of his country. About 20 years ago, a Canadian singer discovered the song, changed some of the words to describe Canadian places and we have been singing it here ever since.
8. LOG DRIVERS WALTZ - Wade Hemsworth - This song, which you might have seen on a TV music video, tells the story about the fine dancing skills which loggers were supposed to have as a result of their need to be light-footed when working logs down Canadian rivers to saw mills or to open water.
9. ALBERTA BOUND - Gordon Lightfoot - Here’s a song which is popular among cowboys, cowgirls and other Albertans.
10. THE BLUENOSE - Michael Stanbury - Several years ago, the famous schooner Bluenose sank in the Caribbean. The people of the Maritimes thought that she deserved to be remembered so they built the Bluenose II. Today, she takes visitors to Nova Scotia on sailing trips.
11. FLY HIGH - Michael Mitchell - During the early 1900’s, bush pilots were the lifeline that kept many northern communities alive during times of bad weather or illness. The spirit of the early Canadian aviators lives on today in those who travel into space.
12. CANADA IS - Steve Hyde & Eric Robertson - This song tells about what this country stands for, our hopes for the future, and the way we welcome people from all parts of the world to share this land with us.
13. WE’RE ALL LOOKING FOR A DINOSAUR - Michael Mitchell - Michael wrote this song for a segment of the children's TV program Sesame Street. The dinosaur bones that are constantly being found in and around Drumheller, Alberta inspired it.
14. BLACK FLY SONG - Wade Hemsworth - The folks who live in North Ontario dread the time of year when those pesky black flies begin to swarm.
15. LAND OF THE SILVER BIRCH - Traditional - A paddling song with a more aboriginal perspective.
16. AU CHANTE DE L’ALOUETTE - Traditional - This Acadian version of a traditional song tells about talking birds, able to communicate with humans, especially girls.
17. MAPLE SUGAR TIME - Michael Mitchell - Michael wrote this about a favourite Eastern Canadian pastime - gathering up the maple syrup and having fun at a traditional cabane a sucre.
18. JACK WAS EVERY INCH A SAILOR - Traditional - Newfoundland people know how to tell a tall tale, especially when it comes to fishing stories. This is one of their more famous ones.
19. WATER - Michael Mitchell - There is more fresh water in Canada than in any other country. But we should never take it for granted.
20. WHERE THE COHO FLASH SILVER - Lloyd Arntzen - Each morning, west coast fishers head out in search of those famous silver fish, the Coho salmon.
21. I LIKE WALKING IN THE WOODS - Michael Mitchell - Woods are a great place to escape to and let both your feet and imagination wander.
22. DONKEY RIDING - Traditional / Additional lyrics by Michael Mitchell - The 'donkey' referred to in the song is not of the animal variety but rather refers to the crane or mechanical system used to hoist cargo between a ship and the dock
23. BIG WET RODENT DAY - Michael Becker / John Acorn - A tribute to our most revered rodent and national symbol.
24. AH! SI MON MOINE VOULAIT DANSER - Traditional - The title is a play on words. “Moine” means both a spinning top and a monk. To encourage him to dance, the monk is offered, in fun, first a hood or cap, then a rosary, etc.
25. WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL - Michael Mitchell - Living in Canada, you never get bored with the weather. So, why not dedicate a song to our ever changing seasons?
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BOOKINGS, SCHEDULES & SHOPPING
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Length of show: |
1 hour |
| Grade suitability: |
Ideally Grades 1-6, but K-8 is fine
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| Ideal audience size: |
Usually up to 450. Larger groups should consider splitting the audience into two shows (one primary and one junior group). A discount of $75.00 per show applies in this case, and it allows for each show to be tailored to suit the audience age group. (see 'Prices' below for details) |
| Set up time: |
40 minutes |
| Tear down time: |
30 minutes
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| Sound system: |
Michael brings a full PA system with him |
| Number in group: |
1 - Michael travels and performs solo with pre-recorded musical accompaniment |
| School provides: |
2 x 5 foot stacking or folding tables |
| Prices (plus GST): |
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Lower Vancouver Island: $450
Lower Mainland and mid-upper Vancouver Island: $500
Interior: $550
Remote regions: contact us for a quotation
REST OF CANADA
Most regions: $600
Remote regions: Contact us for a quotation
prices are effective from September, 2009 and include all travel expenses. One complimentary Teaching Kit is sent for each show booked.
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| Multi-show discount: |
Deduct $75 from the cost of EACH show when you present TWO shows at the same location, on the SAME day. This option is ideal for large schools, or for those that would like to tailor one show for a primary audience and another for a junior or intermediate group.
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| Block booking discount: |
Block bookings may be negotiated for bookings of eight or more shows booked by any single School District or in association with any number of nearby Districts.
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| Availability: |
Michael travels to different parts of Canada at selected times of the year. Contact us for a specific itinerary, or check out his Touring Schedule. |
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CASH FOR SCHOOLS
(Effective 1 February 2010)
Michael Mitchell has always had a policy of giving money back to the schools that have hosted him. Whenever schools, students, parents and staff have purchased his CDs and other products, a percentage of those sales goes back to the hosting schools. Over the years, Michael has donated more than $250,000 to schools across Canada.
Your school will make money on all sales made online before or after your concert and for sales made in person on the day of the show with his Cash for Schools program.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
Any school that has hosted a Canada Is For Kids school show will receive their choice of a cash or product rebate of 10-20% of the value of sales made on their behalf. This applies to any sales made at the school on the day of the show, as well as sales made using the online store via the link below, within the two months following the performance.
Anyone who wants to place an online order can have their purchase credited to your school provided they use this system, so send this link to your friends, aunts, grandparents, etc. But, you MUST use this web link: http://www.michael-mitchell.ca/schools.html
HERE’S HOW MUCH YOUR SCHOOL CAN MAKE
If total sales made during the period up to 60 days following the school show equals…
$1 to $300 Your school makes 10% of the total
i.e.: $200 gets you $20
$301 or more You make 20% of all sales!
i.e.: $400 gets you $80
"The CD commission funds are being used toward our music program. We suggest you encourage this at other schools."
- Qualicum Beach Elementary, Qualicum Beach, BC
"The commission cheque is paying for a bus to take our students to a choral presentation. This saved us the time and effort of fund raising for this event."
- Tom Thompson Public School, Burlington, ON
SCHOOLS SAY THE NICEST THINGS...
“Michael's staunch patriotism is truly infectious. He involves the children in his program with just the right amount of enthusiasm. A treat for all Canadians - big and small.”
- Madoc Drive Public School, Brampton, ON
“(Michael's) 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 package was great as well!”
- Davidson Elementary School, Davidson, SK
“The CD and booklet of Canada Is For Kids is the best resource I have found in my search for Canadian repertoire. Michael performed an excellent, highly entertaining and educational performance that had ALL the grade K to 7 students eagerly and enthusiastically participating.”
- Kilgour Elementary School, Richmond, BC
“Energy; enthusiasm; knowledge of, and pride in Canada; organization; and ability to draw in and manage kids. This is a fantastic way to have students reflect on our Canadian history.”
- Holy Cross Elementary School, Burnaby, BC
“We can never have too much Canadian content in our schools. Thanks to Michael for doing his share. It is obvious he enjoys what he does and the children and teachers love him!”
- St. Philip School, Calgary, AB
“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
“Thank you for an outstanding performance. Our children enjoyed every minute of the concert and are still singing in their classes, and at home, many of the songs which they learned.”
- Briarcrest Parents Group, Etobicoke, ON
“Michael Mitchell is the best performer we have had in our school. In terms of organization, audience appeal and student participation, he can't be beat. Five stars!”
- John Wilson Elementary School, Innisfail, AB
“The best organization I have seen and the most generous. EVERYTHING was taken care of.”
- Quarterway School, Nanaimo, BC
AND THE MEDIA TOO...
OTTAWA CITIZEN, (ON) - "His Canada Is For Kids show, and the album of the same name, is a wonderful mix of Canadian songs most of us grew up with. You can't come away from a show without a patriotic flush and the tune to 'Farewell Nova Scotia' stuck in your tonsils -- not a bad condition in these times."
OWL MAGAZINE - "What a terrific repertoire of all things Canadian, old and new, compiled by singer-songwriter Michael Mitchell. This is a perfect vehicle to help children learn about their Canadian history."
TODAY'S PARENT MAGAZINE - "In the why-didn't-I-think-of-that department, Michael Mitchell has recorded a set of Canadian folk songs, and added a few good tunes of his own about Canada. The result is a recording that one might argue should be owned by every school child in the country."
TIMES COLONIST (VICTORIA, BC) - "Michael Mitchell is on a one-man mission to instill patriotism in Canadian children."
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