B.C. teachers moonlight as filmmakers to connect with students using technology and humour

If Surreyteacher BrodieHalford's students didn't know who Neil Young was before the pandemic, they might now.

Halford, who teaches kindergarten and grades 5 and 6 atColebrook Elementary School, is one of many B.C. teachers finding creative ways from virtual choir rehearsals to humorous YouTube music videos to connect with studentsduring the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Halford's case, he made his own music video cover of Young's song, Helpless, with help fromfrom his colleague, Colebrook music teacher Rick Maksymiw.

Maksymiw plays piano and Halfordmultitasks on vocals and guitarwhile also holding up messages for the kids.

"We are proud of them for being so brave and patient," Halford said on The Early Edition.

Watch Colebrookelementary teachers,Brodie Halfordand Rick Maksymiw, performfor their students:

Melodie Langevin, choir director at Seycovesecondary in Deep Cove, recently debuted her film director skillsby creating videos to keep her students tuned in.

"I'm trying to recreate the choir classroom as best I can," said Langevin, also on The Early Edition.

Her plan is to release a new theme song every Monday after filming herself singing every part and editing it together over the weekend.

"It just shows how much she cares," said Grade 11 studentEmily Janzen, who notedthe videos not only keep the group practising, but also keepthe ensemble connected to Langevin and oneanother.

Langevin holds rehearsals on the video platform Zoom once a week and said eventually she will gatheraudio from each student and edit it together for a virtual choir performance.

Watch Seycovesecondary choir director, Melodie Langevin, teach a virtual lesson:

AtDelview Secondary School in Delta, B.C., about 35 school staff collaborated on a music video set toMr. Blue Skyby Electric Light Orchestra and in it, staff hold up messages for their students.

"They love to see us embarrass ourselves," saidteacher Jonathan Kung.

Kung said almost every employeeat Delview participated, including administrators and custodial staff.He said many students and alumni have reached out to say how much they enjoyed the performance.

"Our message to our students is no matter how you feel it is OKand we are here for you,"Kung said on The Early Edition.

"This video is best enjoyed at least twometres away from strangers and those who speak moistly," reads thedisclaimer on YouTube with a cheeky reference to a recent speechby Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Watch Delviewsecondary staff performMr. Blue Skyby Electric Light Orchestra:

Former music teacher Dan Osborn took inspiration from a popular Disney franchise to express the uncertainty felt by himand his students during the pandemic. The Grade4/5 teacher from Vernon changed the lyrics to Queen Elsa's song Into the Unknown from Frozen 2 to reflect how virtual classes are going.

"The lyricsjust try to capture the reality of what it's like for so many parents and teachers and families and students right now, trying to get all hooked up with technology, being tired of being stuck inside, missing their teachers' empty classrooms," he told Daybreak South host Chris Walker.

Osborn has a small recording space in his home, so he taped his phone to a mic stand to record his video, downloaded some editing software, and recorded his song.

Watch Dan Osborn perform his version ofInto the Unknownfrom Frozen 2:

David Barnum, science teacher atLarson Elementary School in North Vancouver, used YouTube to take his students on a virtual field trip where he released salmon fry the kids had been raising in the classroom for months before schools closed.

Barnum said he filmed the salmonrelease with a couple of colleagues not just because he wanted the students to see how thestory ended, but so they can visit the spot where they were released.

In a strange plot twist, Barnum is actually hoping to use technology to get kids off computers and exploring their community.

Watch Larson elementaryteacher, David Barnum, take his students on a virtual field trip:

He is also using the appeal of a beloved stuffed Baby Yoda.

The plush toy, said Barnum, is usually in the classroom, but nowYoda is out for rips on Barnum's bike and having his photo taken at various spots around North Vancouver.

Barnum posts the photos online and the name of the game is for his students to identify where Baby Yoda is hanging out.

"Yoda seems to have traction," Barnum said on The Early Edition Wednesday.

Yoda has even travelled over to the City of Vancouver to visit the iconic 9 O'clock Gun in Stanley Park, which is firing nightly now at 7 p.m. as a symbol of thanks to those working the front lines of the pandemic.

If you know a Metro Vancouver teacher who has gone above and beyond to connect with students, or you are a teacher who would like to share your creative methods, email details to earlyed@cbc.ca.