IS THERE LIFE ON MARS?: So many heartfelt tributes to David Bowie abound as we're all getting used to life on Earth without the artistic genius.
As our arts appreciation lesson today, we soaked in three takes on one phenomenal song, "Life on Mars" from Bowie's album Hunky Dory, which was released in 1971.
The first version we watched was an absolutely stunning send off for Bowie by Rick Wakeman. The Englishman is an author, songwriter and keyboardist best known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. Wakeman also happens to be the chap who performed piano on the original recording of Bowie's haunting "Life on Mars" track (an astounding 44 years ago - wow!).
The way the music flows from this man's fingertips to the keyboard is absolutely mesmerizing.
https://youtu.be/jogv7tD18gs
Another touching "Life on Mars" tribute came from a near vacant cathedral, St. Albans, in Hertfordshire. Opened in 1877, its 84-meter nave is the longest of any cathedral in England. This tribute features Nicholas Freestone, 24, on the organ. CJ and Annabelle couldn't believe one person with one instrument could produce these sounds.The cathedral's organ was built in 1962, the first cathedral instrument in Britain to be voiced and built on neo-classical lines. (You can read its complete specs in a PDF.)
https://youtu.be/TncxHFmDEyM
A spokesman for the Diocese of St. Albans said: "Our organ scholar has proved brilliantly adept at playing Life on Mars with just a hint of a mournful voice and a prayer for a departed soul."
Naturally, we had to also re-watch Bowie's original performance of "Life on Mars." As we watched, I reminded the kids that while they're used to seeing men in makeup and gender lines blurred, what Bowie did when he artistically kicked down the doors was so SO far out there for his time. He showed that being different wasn't just OK, it was fabulous!
https://youtu.be/v--IqqusnNQ
AN HOUR, AT LAST: Back in December, we were super busy during the official week "Hour of Code" was held. The awesome annual event was founded in 2013, by Code.org®, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Code.org®'s vision includes seeing every student in every school with the opportunity to learn computer science.
You can check out the game Bee created by following this link: https://studio.code.org/c/165543904
If you click on the "How it Works" button on her game, you can see which building blocks of code she used to make the program.
On CJ's first go through of his project, I love how the program told him he'd completed the mission, but that he could have done it in four steps instead of eight. We'll be back at the Hour of Code for many more hours!
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