I want to say that I appreciate the conversation we had & really the opportunity to talk about the things that we have been doing that are working very well. I felt that there was some intentional effort to not support and elevate curriculum and approaches that succeed with black students. So I am very happy to hear that what we be looked at as well as given a fair opportunity & resources to scale and begin creating pathways for many more MPS Learners & Educators to take part.
What I want to attempt to do on this “drop page” is show some very great moments over the last few years, show tangible outcomes from tangible lesson planning, teaching and engaging, outline what we are really aiming at in terms of what we are calling “Pivotal Teaching & Learning”, and what we envision our impact to be.
Pivotal Teaching & Learning (PTL) is the trademarked approach Ruck B Media has taken in creating the success that we have created with MPS and other districts. It is fundamentally focusing to simulate a teaching & learning environment that directly instructs learners of all ages on the “economy of the subject”… 100% of what we deliver in the classroom impacts a learners ability to enter and take advantage of a robust Creative & STEM economy. STEM is the art and music business in 2021 and beyond.
MN WILD Song: We partnered with Loring elementary to create a MN WILD theme song that was used by the MN’s WILD’s Marketing and Communications team. This song was written, produced and recorded by the 5th grade at Loring. Every student partakes. This is a semester long curriculum that culminates in this production. Students/Parents also were given wild tickets to attend the game the song was featured at. MN WILD is a partner of Ruck B.
MN State Fair Jingle- The Great MN Get Together: This song was written and conceptualized by international Artist Mikko Blaze and students at Nellie Stone. The students conceptualized, co wrote, produced, etc… the song. Mikko Blaze recorded it, they evaluated it, got it market ready, sound engineering etc, learned about the value and economic value of creating jingles, hiring on an artist, etc… This is the entire classroom partaking. Mikko visited the school, co-wrote, etc with students.
HIA Album ONE: In total at HIA there have been 3 albums created by students (written, produced, recorded, engineered, and sold (published)) PLT- this process doesn’t explore art, rather is uses art to explore career building, increase engagement. We have 100% participation from every grade level. They sold over 200 of these albums. Created a promo plan, had a release party in their gym. Every student in the school partook. This is 180 days of lesson planning.
Below are pictures of students:
Visiting the capital speaking to political leaders about the songs they are creating around community, etc…
Visiting Ruck B Studio(s) downtown, exclusive recording session and career planning session with Grammy producer Raleigh and Kyle Rucker, North High, Edison, Pat Henry Students
HIA and Nellie Stone Visiting the U of MN Music School and presenting their work/songs at Coffman Union in front of board of regents, etc… First time for many students to 4 year university
Cheyenne from HIA who was signed through Ruck B to major label, joined at Ruck B studio signing day by Mayor Frey
Students visits Jazz 88 early to promote their album
