| Did you know that EMJ students have three weekly scheduled music classes each week with Ms. Dafoe? Music is a vital element of healthy development. It is known to boost mathematics, reading and verbal language skills. Students come to understand how music connects to and supports mental health, they learn about using music as a way to express emotions, practice mindfulness, and through music gain a better understanding of each other. 
EMJ students are engaged in hands on music making in every class. They experiment and learn with instruments such as rhythm sticks, boomwhackers, and xylophones. Now that singing is once again permitted at school, our younger students are learning to sing classic songs such as 'Looby Loo' and 'You Are my Sunshine'. 
Through exposure to a variety of music styles, students learn about their own interests while also acknowledging the unique tastes and preferences of others. Through sharing favourite songs and learning to listen to appreciate and understand, students are developing the skill of respecting the opinions of others even if we don't agree. 
A favourite closing to each class is playing Musicopoly. Classes roll the dice and move around the game board collecting beats and spending them on fun activities such as music bingo, dance breaks, or campfire singalongs (and more). It has been a big hit this year!
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