Math Rap

Something from a couple of years ago.

It is the first song written and performed by MC Math.  "Mean, Median, Mode" is a classic in the making, and has helped numerous grade 6 students make sense of the confusing and often misused mathematical terms.  The semi-talented rapper continues to make occasional appearances in my classroom and (almost) always brings the crowd to its feet.

MC Math - Mean Median Mode

These Hands Will Be My Escape

Here is presentation I put together a few years ago.  I used it to help demonstrate the challenges faced by many students in a "traditional" learning environment.  My first attempt at stop-motion photography.

Untitled pt. 2

One building, not too far away, looks different from the rest.

A telescope sits on a table, waiting patiently.

This place always seems to provide exactly what you need,
Just when you need it.

Putting your eye to the telescope, you search for the only building that looks familiar.

Finally, you find what you were looking for.
An old man is gardening on the rooftop of an old, brick building.
You know most of the people you meet here, but not him.
He pauses from his gardening,
Stands up straight,
And shuffles towards a group of tall flowers.
They smile clownishly towards the sky,
And it seems like they might be looking at you.
In a row of pots the old man is growing homes,
And they look a lot like the one you live in.

The brightly-colored creatures appear, and the world changes again.

You are in a forest,
But you are not you.
A small pool of water shows your reflection.
Your ears twitch and you think about how hungry you are,
For a crunchy, juicy, carrot.

A bright green streak cuts across the water.
Unfortunately, you will not be a rabbit for much longer.

You are back in your body, but trees still tower over you.
A cold, peculiar feeling creeps up your spine,
And you shiver.
Snapping, creaking, and ripping sounds come from somewhere in the darkness.

A nearby tree noisily tears its roots from the ground,
And stomps towards you.

This creature should not be trusted,
And you start to run.
Looking back, you see that the tree is now wielding an ax.

Frightening things like this happen from time to time,
And usually end peacefully.
This is not one of those times.

The forest continues to grow darker and colder,
But you need to keep running.
It is becoming more and more difficult to lift your feet,
And eventually, you stumble to a halting stop.

Your feet have become blocks of cement,
And danger is surrounding you.

There are no flashes of light this time.
Only black.

Untitled pt. 1

You are on a mysterious journey.

You are searching for something unknown and magical.

You need to keep moving.

This swamp is treacherous.

In the shadows of a dark forest, terrible creatures wait.

Mountains of jagged stone and ice pierce the sky like crooked, pointed teeth.

They protect the treasure you are seeking.

Go, and find it.

The swamp is an unpleasant, but familiar, place.

You have been here before, pursuing the same elusive prize.

Creatures surround you.

They swim through the heavy swamp air, close to your body.

Strange and beautiful, their bodies paint bright streaks and swirling rainbows.
A cloud of colorful mist blurs your vision.


Whenever these creatures appear, everything changes.
It is impossible to know when they will come, and the only thing to expect,
Is the unexpected.
Anything is possible.


The swamp is now a lake of liquid caramel.
Your raft is a chocolate chip cookie - warm and soft,
The best you have ever, ever tasted.
Try not to eat it all.


Everything in the world tastes sweet, but too much will make you sick.
Luckily, the creatures return and things change again.
Suddenly, you are in an empty office on the top floor of a glass tower.
From here, you can see an entire city.
The buildings are strange shapes and some are floating like clouds.
This is the future.

Stop-Motion Movie for Shawn and Laura

As a teacher, my job is to prepare students for life by learning alongside them, supporting them with strategies for success, and, ultimately, bossing them around a little.  Quite often, I force my students to do things (for their personal benefit, of course), which I would never consider doing myself.  An example of this is blogging.  It provides students an opportunity to express themselves creatively, share with others, learn in community, develop an online portfolio, and improve their writing skills.  I preached this as truth and forced my students to start blogging, but, like many teachers, I am a hypocrite and did not live according to my preachings.  Now, to prove to my students, profession, and self, that hypocrisy does not define me, I am blogging.

cappyblog will be a place for me to share with the world my various projects - some related to my profession, but many not.  Here is a short stop-motion movie I made for my brother-in-law's wedding reception.