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THE SHOW
Regarded as one of the most ‘in demand’ school shows in Canada, Canada Is For Kids is a perfect educational and fun 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.
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 YOU from the 25 songs available in the extensive, complimentary Teaching Kit (click to view contents) that will be available to you as an online download as soon as you book a concert.
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 helps to reinforce the theme presented in that segment. There are lots of opportunities for student and teacher participation in a highly interactive and positive atmosphere.
Quick Canadiana trivia questions seeded throughout the performance allow students from all grades to show off their knowledge of Canada and help to focus the students on the musical themes being portrayed. Everyone is invited to sing along throughout the concert. To that end the downloadable Teaching Kit includes a reproducible Lyric Sheet. For music classes, you can print out music charts for individual songs from the Big Canadian Music Book that is also enclosed.
“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
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 forSesame Street and the American Public Broadcasting System - PBS. To date, more than 4,700 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.
Many schools really get on board by making show day Red and White Day in recognition of Canada's national colours.
“I wanted to thank you for the two absolutely TREMENDOUS presentations you provided to Avon school yesterday. You were able to tailor your concerts to junior and primary age groupings - which made it PERFECT!!! You incorporated so much learning into the concert - just right for each group - THEY LOVED YOU!! Total engagement!
“Michael, your music is timeless. The songs are so sing-able and rhythmic -- absolutely perfect for school-aged children! (There is) such a positive and uplifting spirit to it. You read children so well and know how to connect. I was worried about our juniors, especially the grade six students, but you knew exactly who to call on to (participate). It was such a joy to watch what happened next! Pure magic!! I know we'll have you come back again.
“THANK YOU for coming to Avon and giving us such a special and memorable day!” -- Janet Jamison, Principal, Avon Public School, Stratford, Ontario
“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 Timberleas staff, Fort McMurray, AB
"Hello there: I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know how much my children enjoyed your performance yesterday at their school.
"My daughter called me at work last night and sang "Land of the Silver Birch" to me, a song that I remembered singing at my school as a child. My son who has ADHD had just the day before had a letter sent home saying that he was having problems listening and respecting people talking. He sat through the WHOLE show watching. This morning I found him at our kitchen counter writing out a song about Dinosaurs.
"You have to understand that having him read or write is always a chore, so to see him sitting there trying his hardest to write out the words to the song was an amazing moment for me.
"So I thank you for touching the lives of these kids. I hope that they have you back again in the future." -- Vanessa Woods (Parent)
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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/intermediate group). See Discount Offers below.
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| Set up time required: |
40 minutes |
| Tear down time required: |
30 minutes |
| Sound system: |
Michael brings a full PA system with him |
| Number in group: |
Michael travels and performs solo with pre-recorded musical accompaniment |
| School provides: |
1 x 5 foot stacking or folding table |
| Prices (add HST/GST): |
British Columbia:
• Lower Vancouver Island - $450
• Upper Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland - $500
• BC Interior - $550
Rest of Canada: - $600
*Prices include all travel costs.
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Save / make money:
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SAVE $100 - Get a second school to book a show on the same day as yours and we’ll give BOTH schools a $50 discount.
SAVE $200 - Host two concerts in one day at your school, perhaps one for primary and another for junior students, and we’ll take $100 off the cost of EACH show.
BONUS: Schools receive a commission of 20% from the sale of all CDs and other merchandise at the show.
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| Availability: |
Michael travels to different parts of Canada at selected times of the year. Check out his Touring Schedule. There may be some flexibility in this schedule if you have a specific date in mind. Email us with your requests in this regard.
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CASH FOR SCHOOLS
Michael Mitchell’s Canada Is For Kids CDs and other products are very popular with students, parents and teachers. With Michael’s Cash for Schools program, your school will receive 20% of all sales made on the day of the show or 10% on products mailed to the school afterwards.
To date, Michael has donated more than $250,000 to schools across Canada through his Cash for Schools program.
"The CD commission funds are being used toward our music program. We suggest you encourage this at other schools." - Qualicum Beach Elementary School, 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...
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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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