Schools
Let Them Sing Songs
Hatboro-Horsham elementary school students are creating their own music and learning at the same time.
An innovative artist residency educational program is bringing song into the classrooms of Hatboro-Horsham elementary schools.
The program is comprised of husband and wife duo David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans, who comprise the Two of a Kind band. The Cheltenham couple helps students create songs that fit with the program, which teaches students about being proactive, always having a plan, prioritizing, listening, working together, having balance and dealing with win-win situations.
“The songs really help the kids dive into the concepts of the program," David Heitler-Klevans said. “One of the great things is the seven habits, from the book, apply to the music writing process."
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The couple’s five in-class workshops teach students how to compose music, write lyrics, work together and think critically.
“What I really love about the program, is the blending of music, writing and problem solving,” Principal Nancy Doherty said. “It’s great for the kids; they love it when [Two of a Kind] comes.”
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On Friday morning, Two of a Kind worked with Mrs. Miller’s fourth grade class at Blair Mill. The students worked with each other, along with David and Jenny, to finalize the lyrics to the song "Be in Charge," which they created.
Students from , , and elementary schools will perform their original compositions during an assembly at their school and again on Feb. 8, during a districtwide performance at .
“I like it, because everyday we get closer to finishing the song and hearing what we made," said Blair Mill fourth-grader CJ Grier.
“[David and Jenny] always have happy voices and let us make the music,” 9-year-old Piper Clerihan said.
Two of a Kind first worked with students at the district's last year, and thanks to a $15,400 Innovative Learning Grant from the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation they are continuing the program at the district's other elementary schools.
“Since we’ve been doing this program, teachers always tell us the students who get most involved are the ones who they least expected,” David Heitler-Klevans said. “Some of these kids are just discovering something that they're good at.”
